Below we share our guide on how to make a green juice or smoothie that is packed with health, nutrition and flavour.
One of the best parts about this time of year is the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables available. Along with the warmer weather and longer days, one cannot help but feel a little more inspired to live a healthier lifestyle over the summer season. We love to start our days with a burst of health by making a nutritious smoothie or juice. It’s a great way to hydrate yourself first ting in the morning and it’s a wonderful way for taking in your greens (and yellows, and reds, and purples…).
Note: This is not a recipe, but rather a guide as you can vary the amount of ingredients according to your taste, and you can also mix up your veggies and fruits as you please.
The vegetables:
1 cup of chopped green vegetables
Try: kale, spinach, lettuce, cucumber and/or watercress.
Note: chop stems of leafy greens before you throw it in a blender.
The liquid:
1 – 2 cups liquid
If you are making a juice, you can add water to your smoothie. For a bit more slush, add some crushed ice. You can also add skim milk, soy milk, almond milk, coconut water, freshly squeezed juice or vegetable juice and yogurt to your smoothie.
The fruits:
2 cups fruit
Add some fruit to your basic smoothie or juice. Watery fruits like watermelon, grapes and berries are perfect for juicing, while fruits like bananas, mango, apples, paw paws and pineapples are great for making smoothies. You can also use frozen fruits to make a thicker smoothie.
Making a green juice or smoothie:
Add your veggies and half of your liquid to a blender. Pulse until all of your veggies are chopped. Add your fruits and the rest of the liquid and blend until smooth. You can serve it over ice, or enjoy it as is. If you find the “green” flavour too intimidating, try adding some vanilla, cinnamon, raw cocoa, mint leaves or fresh ginger. We also love adding some chia seeds for a boost of omega 3.
For added protein:
You can also experiment by adding a scoop of natural yoghurt, peanut butter, avocados or whey powder for protein.
Try this recipe: Celery, apple, kale, spinach, lime and ginger juice
PLUS: Pineapple, orange juice and kale smoothie
AND: Banana avocado smoothie
ALSO SEE: Loaded baby marrow smoothie
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Imka Webb is a freelance digital marketing expert and the digital editor of Food & Home Entertaining magazine. www.imkawebb.com
