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greens

Matcha Green Tea Smoothie

March 5, 2014
matcha-green-tea-smoothie

When I moved to New York, a friend of mine gave me this advice: get ready, because things are going to speed up in a New York minute! There’s just something about New York City that gets people moving. And FAST. It seems I’ve constantly been on the go – between work, yoga classes, social engagements, writing for the blog, training for upcoming races and all the many other things there are to experience in this city.

What gives me the energy to do it all? My green smoothies! For this smoothie, I’ve added matcha powder. Matcha is straight, stoneground tea leaves, which provides you with green teas powerful arsenal of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids in a way no other green tea can. In fact, one glass of matcha is the equivalent of 10 glasses of green tea in terms of its nutritional value and antioxidant content. Matcha is also rich in L-Theanine, an amino acid that promotes a state of relaxation and well-being by acting upon the brains functioning.

This is a great option pre or post-workout. Even if you aren’t facing a grueling workout, this Matcha Green Tea Smoothie or my other Green Smoothie can help you through the everyday marathon.

green-tea-smoothie

Matcha Green Tea Smoothie

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup frozen mango, pineapple or peaches
  • 1 banana
  • 2-3 ice cubes
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened vanilla coconut milk
  • 1 large handful of spinach leaves
  • 1/2 tsp matcha powder

Directions:

  1. Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend at a high speed until creamy and smooth.
  2. Pour into a a glass and enjoy.

 

 

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Celery, Cucumber & Mint Juice

April 7, 2013
celery-cucumber-and-mint-juice

As the seasons make their transition outside, it feels so right to make one inside. This year I have made it a personal goal of mine to sip on more green juices. Enjoying green juices daily is the best way to alkalize the body with extremely vital nutrients that nature provides for us, in turn supporting a healthy immune system that will protect us from disease. Juicing these greens allows for the vital nutrients to be assimilated easily and immediately, giving you an immediate energy boost.

I drink this juice almost daily, and with good reason. The base is cucumber, which is a little known nutritional powerhouse. Its loaded with potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and folate while being very low in calories. It is a perfect choice for before or after exercise since its loaded with electrolytes. After adding cucumber, I throw in celery, apple, spinach and mint -creating an extremely potent, detoxifying cocktail.

Freshly squeezed juice is a wonderful drink all year round. You can easily vary it and use all sorts of vegetables and fruits. A rule of thumb is to use 80% vegetables and 20% fruit in order to get a perfectly balanced sweetness and avoid too much fructose (natural sugar from the fruit). Lemon, lime, ginger and fennel are some of the taste boosters you can add to any juice.

An important tip: always buy organic fruits and vegetables to use for your juice making. This way you can avoid peeling your fruit and vegetables and instead use all of their tasty parts and get all those lovely vitamins and nutrients.

Grab your organic wonders and follow me…

cucumber-celery-mint-juice

Celery, Cucumber & Mint Juice

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium cucumber
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 1 apple
  • 1 handful spinach (or other greens)
  • 2-3 sprigs mint

Directions:

  1. Rinse all ingredients.
  2. Add ingredients through juicer.
  3. Serve and enjoy!

How are you enjoying spring? Would any of you be interested in joining me for a juice cleanse or raw food detox the first week of May? This is a good time of year to do a cleanse or detox because the weather is warming up so our bodies can take more raw foods plus more fruits and veggies are coming into season. Let me know your thoughts below!

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Green Smoothie

February 16, 2013
green-smoothie

I’ve been on a smoothie kick lately. They are so tasty and filling – makes for the perfect thing to eat post morning workout! If you have been cooking a lot of vegan or raw food you’re probably familiar with avocado in desserts.. but have you tried it in a smoothie? Banana, creamy avocado, greens, spicy ginger and tart, yet sweet pineapple makes this drink a tall glass of deliciousness. The Green Smoothie of course makes an amazing breakfast, but it can be enjoyed as a snack or light lunch as well. You can also add kale, chard or other dark leafy green of your choice.

I love sharing new recipes that can are easy to make part of a healthy weekly menu. Fruity green smoothies are easy to rely on for simple and delicious breakfasts and snacks and they provide so much flexibility – you can add or subtract whatever additional ingredients you’re in the mood for.

Green Smoothie

Vegan, Raw & Gluten-free

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 banana
  • a handful spinach
  • 1/2 inch fresh ginger
  • 2-inch slice pineapple
  • 1 cup ice cold water

Directions:

  1. Place all ingredients into a blender. Blend on high until smooth .

(*Photo Credit: my sister, Jenny Norris – jjnorris.com)

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