Smoothies do not all have to come in pastel colors, sweetened with sugar, and honey and flavored with fruit, vanilla or chocolate. They can be green, flavored with ginger, lemon, apple, parsley or cilantro, and made creamy and smooth with avocado! Green smoothies are also alkaline, go down easy and are a refreshing – easy way to get your greens.

When I was traveling around the country speaking to kids of all ages about healthy food choices, I

found that even a 6th grader knows what healthy food is. Ask anyone, and they will say, “fruits and vegetables”. Everyone seems to know this, but few actually eat the daily recommended servings of vegetables. Myself included.

I can easily get in one or two servings, but more can be challenging if I am traveling or really busy.

Don’t get me wrong I love vegetables. And, I prefer them raw – crunchy, vibrant, full of color, aromas

and lots of juice. But, the truth is, the day goes by and I don’t eat as many as I would like, or know I should. There are so many advantages to eating the whole food and lots of them.

Vegetables, with all their individual nutrients are power foods. We know that. Pills and powders will

not take the place of these vibrant foods divinely put here for our own personal vibrancy. Have you

ever seen anyone who has just come home from a juice fast? They always radiate with inner and outer beauty. Vegetables are super foods – affordable super foods! So, how can we eat more of them without having to chop, cook, or juice? How can we get all those nutrients easily and affordably?

With the pace of life these days, we need something simple that will serve us for a couple days. Many

of you who have my DVD’s already know the two Green Smoothie Drinks I make in them. Those

served me well, but now I have a new regime that even my die-hard, ‘no green drink for me’ people

like. Trust me, this is a milestone for sure.

Here is what I do. I go to the Farmer’s Market on the weekend and load up with: kale, sunflower

sprouts, red (green or yellow) peppers, lemons, carrots, celery, cucumber, parsley, cilantro, tomato, ginger, and a couple apples. I can usually stretch this purchase for a week’s supply of Green Drinks. Sometime, I do a second shop mid week to replace a couple items that do not keep as fresh.

I wash everything. Then I take half of each of my veggie purchases and combine them with spring

water into my Vita Mix and blend a fresh batch Green Smoothie. I store the other half of the unused veggie in the fridge for the next batch later in the week.

Ahhhh, now I enjoy the first fresh glass of my new concoction, and store the rest in a glass jars

(recycle your jars or purchase Mason Jars) and enjoy for at least 3 days. Yes, that’s right. It keeps

fresh for 3 days. I drink about 4-6 ounces as a prelude to my breakfast, and then another glass in

the afternoon. On the 4th day, I make batch number 2 that lasts me the rest of the week.

To tell you the truth, there are people who won’t even try it just because it is Green. They loose.

Truly, it is so delicious – so fresh and vibrant with succulent aromas and individual flavors.

Click here a couple of my Favorite Green Smoothie Recipes, and go ahead and be creative, adding

other veggies for variation. Remember each veggie has a unique combination of antioxidants and valuable nutrients. So, vary your contents. Make your V8 type drink adding tomatoes, peppers and jalapenos.

1. The key to a good green drink is the lemon and the apple. I always include a whole lemon for sure – a big Meyers if possible (peeled and seeded). New green drinkers should include the apple as well. This will make it sweet.
2. If you don’t have a Vita Mix, and you are using a blender, your batch may be smaller and not last you as long. The drink may not blend as smooth either. But, it will still taste great but may be thicker or chewier.
3. Since I put so many veggies, and as much water as I can to fill the blender container, the mixture is sometimes thick, particularly after refrigeration. Don’t let this freak you out. Just add water for the desired consistency before you drink it.
4. If the Smoothie is too thick for you, don’t add as many veggies. Go with your own tastes and textures.
5. You can also make simple Green Drinks that are not as thick, using, for example; cilantro and celery, or cilantro and lemon, or lemon, parsley and sprouts. Keep it simple with no cutting, just blending!

Enjoying Green Smoothie’s will ensure that you get all the veggies you need in a simple, affordable and delicious way.

Join our Blog and let us know how it goes for you and what recipes you come up with!

Making Every Bite Count,

Chef Teton