I start my day with a green smoothie, blended using a Nutribullet. If you don't have one of these, invest in it or a similar blender with a 600-watt or stronger motor.
Morning Green Smoothie
(use a large smoothie cup)
2-4 handfuls of greens (I use Swiss chard, dinosaur kale, and Russian kale from the farmer's market)
1 c. frozen fruit (tropical, berry, anything)
1 banana, apple, or both
1/2 c. unsweetened coconut milk (carton, not canned)
1 T. milled golden flaxseed
1 t. spirulina
1 pill biotin
water to fill line (or less, if you like a thicker smoothie)
Mix until delectable. The biotin is a neutral tasting supplement, so I have no problem throwing it in. Plus, it's helping my brittle nails and it delivers some extra B-vitamin goodness. The coconut milk is fortified with B12, so that also helps. I also aim for 50-75% greens in every smoothie.
I typically find this holds me over until lunch, which consists of:
1/2 bag frozen broccoli (about 3 cups) or other vegetable
1 c. cooked beans
seasoning to taste, no salt (I recommend dill, garlic, allspice, mustard seed, and onion powder)
1 piece fruit, typically an orange
When I come home around 3:30, I'm always ready to eat. I start with:
Indulgent Chocolate-Cherry Smoothie
(use a small smoothie cup)
50% greens mix
1/2 c. frozen dark sweet cherries
5 grapes or 1/2 banana or 1/2 c. mixed berries
1 c. unsweetened almond or coconut milk
1 oz. almonds
1/4 t. vanilla extract
1 T. chocolate powder (I like Hershey's Special Dark baking cocoa)
1 t. cinnamon
Blend until delicious. Yum. If I'm still hankering for something in the evening, late, I'll have chia seeds and Egyptian Licorice herbal tea and rooibos.
So far, that's what is working. I have a goal of working into my smoothies and meals the following:
- Celery
- Beets
- Carrots
Aside from my fruit, I get all vegetables from my local farmer's market. This week I picked up red okra, some long purple string beans, and a 5lb bag of schoolboy apples, perfect for freezing (yay smoothie stuff!).
I'm excited to eat!
