Green Smoothie Love

   Are you desperately trying to lose weight or get into better shape? Do you lack energy and stamina, relying on coffee to get you through your work day? Are you looking for a cure for acne, irritable bowel syndrome, or even cancer? A simple smoothie could be your solution!
   Green smoothies have taken the health food scene by storm over the past few years. Celebrities are seen sipping the green concoctions from straws purchased in fancy cafes. No health blog is complete without at least one recipe or mention of the beverage. They are becoming so mainstream that Starbucks is even producing their own line of green juice and smoothies.
   Why the sudden craze to drink your vegetables?  Turns out, most Americans don't get enough of them! Vegetables, especially dark leafy greens, are the most important foods that you could put into your body. One reason is that your body is made up of mostly water and guess what? So are vegetables! Only vegetables are also full of nutrients that your body needs to rebuild itself over and over again! Vegetables are nutrient dense, meaning, one vegetable has multiple of the nutrients that you need. You could literally get all of the vitamins and minerals needed per day by eating the right types of veggies!
   The problem in America is that most of the "foods" people eat are processed. By processing the foods you are depleting the original source of the nutrients. Then you add preservatives, additives, and flavorings to make the substance more appealing to the consumer, whether it be ice cream or chicken tenders. Instead of eating the fresh, wholesome foods our bodies rely on to produce healthy, happy cells, most people are eating a diet of essentially non food processed junk. This is where the green smoothie magic comes in! :)
   Green smoothies and juices have been used for decades to cure cancer, diabetes, and arthritis, among numerous other diseases. The Gerson Therapy uses the drinks as a part of their vegetarian diet and lifestyle plan. There are many documentaries on the health benefits of green juicing and following a vegetarian diet. A few that you can watch for free on Netflix (if you've got it!) include: The Gerson Miracle, A Beautiful Truth, Food, Inc, Forks Over Knives, Dying to Have Known, Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead,  and Food Matters. Another movie if you don't have Netflix is streaming online for free until March 31st from the makers of Food Matters. It's called Hungry for Change and you can watch it here!
   Now that you have the proper resources to further investigate these plant filled beverages, let me walk you through how to make one of these bad boys! I try to drink a green smoothie every day for the health benefits and because they make me feel great! My mind is clearer, my face is clearer, and I feel overall happier and more productive when I drink at least one per day! The days that I skip them? Well, let's just say they aren't my best. ;)
   To start with you need a basic fruit smoothie. I like to always have a banana for the base, though it's not completely necessary. (I feel like the consistency comes out smoother.) Then add whatever other fruits you love, these can be fresh or frozen. I like to use frozen fruit because then it eliminates the need for ice! Next you add green leaf vegetables and whatever extras you'd like to throw in! I always add a spoonful of both flax and chia seeds because of their supreme health benefits. Add whatever liquid you desire and mix to your heart's content! I usually use coconut milk, but have mixed it up on occasion with organic apple juice, green tea, or almond milk! (Still yielding terrific and tasty results!) So there you have it! A healthy, life changing beverage at the flick of your blender's button! Happy green drinking! :)