To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.
~ Buddha
- lighter food
- lighter clothing
- lighter thinking
- lighter evenings (yay)!
Okay. Good.
The Less:
Less heavy meals means easy work for your body and mind, not to mention a light energetic feeling to boot. Easy to digest fruit sugars give the body a nice buzz that doesn’t crash and leave you down in the dumps. Less pasteurized fruit juices and over the counter smoothies means more fresh enzymes and less additives, sugar, or other things you don’t want or need.
The More:
More fresh fruits means more vital energy pulsing through your veins. More blended live enzymes means the body gets a hand digesting (imagine digestion that wasn’t taxing!) More greens, fiber, and good fat from this combo will result in all round feel good vibes. Everyday.
Everyday Green Smoothie:
- (1) avocado (feel free to use a half or a whole)
- (1) cup chopped fresh or frozen fruit (berries, summer fruit, apple, mango)
- (1) banana (you can sub this out too)
- (1) cup liquid – apple juice, water, almond milk*
- (1-2) leaves kale or a handful of fresh spinach leaves
- (1-2) dates (optional)
Add your ingredients to the blender, blend on high for a minute or two, and enjoy!
* Start with one cup of liquid and add more if needed.
One the topic of liquid, I am a little old-school and have a thing about mixing fruit with other foods – years ago (like almost 20 years or so) I read a number of books on proper food combining and have never really dropped the idea that fruits should be eaten alone or not at all.
With that said, almond milk in smoothies is utterly delicious. My own personal experience tells me almond milk can combine with longer digesting fruits like banana, but it is up to the individual to find what works for them on this one.
For more current info on this topic by someone I really admire, check out the beautiful New York based raw food cleanse guru Natalia Rose here.
This is one of my go to post-fast meals, especially for the morning after a fast day. Or, if I feel that I can’t go without food entirely on a fast day (it happens), it’s common for me to whip up a fairly generous portion of this to take with me to consume when I need it (but never before).
Because fasting isn’t always about not eating, and consuming smoothie for a portion of a day would be a great way to ‘go without’ for many who typically eat heavier, more taxing foods as habit or preference.
The way you think, the way you behave, the way you eat, can influence your life by 30 to 50 years.
~ Deepak Chopra
- What is your fave smoothie fruit?
- Are you enjoying the extra daylight too?
I love receiving your feedback and know many of you will have a lot to add here – I’d love to know your favorites!
On another note, my feet really look great – though who are we kidding, I think I only go for the massage!
I looked for some of the suggested shades (thank you!), was unsuccessful, and ended up choosing something called “Clubbing all Night” by OPI. Don’t quote me exactly on the name, but it’s a delightfully sparkly orange that is making me very happy – not to mention making me imagine myself as (just a little) bad ass with that name…
Next up: a little something with quinoa!
I hope you are all having an amazingly wonderful week – and here’s to lighter living in honor of the arrival of spring!
Yours in Less,
Need a spoon for that smoothie – thanks for sharing! Have a Great Weekend:)
Definitely – it eats like pudding but doesn’t sit like one! You too!
I love how creamy that looks! I’m a complete sucker for banana + almond milk + peanut butter smoothies. Me and peanut butter. We’re close. Real close.
Your smoothie sounds great – satisfying, filling, and full of protein and full of good energy and protein! Nice I think I will have to try that one – I always feel terrible for those who can’t have nuts – wouldn’t that be hard?
Horrible!
More amazingness – it looks more like a dessert, what an incredible texture. Loving your blog.
Thanks Nick! The feeling is mutual – this smoothie can keep me going all day long – now that’s value, hey?! Have a great day!!
Beautiful smoothie! YUM! =0)
Thanks – it’s yummy – got a mason jar in the car today…:)
S – I, too have a daily green smoothie. Your avocado version looks particularly tasty. My current fave’ is apple, pear, frozen mango cheek, small banana, kale (left over from making your pesto) and coconut water. I think the almond milk would be a nice change.
I know I’m not the first to suggest this to you, but have a look at a Vitamix blender. Please. It will transform your smoothie making life, open up a whole new world of whole food blending recipes AND it’s a doddle to clean. (No – I’m not a Vitamix spokesperson!)
Miserable down here – sheets of rain and we’re off to the market for more kale!
Oh I always love your thoughtful responses!
Your smoothie sounds SIMPLY divine – I too love mango cheek (great description!!) and coconut water sounds just too good! I also enjoy apple in my smoothie as it is so good for the tummy – isn’t it? Isn’t it true about those great minds?
I’ll have to tell my Vitamix story one day (though it’s probably not interesting to anyone but me and even then maybe not that good)…long and short is you are right! I did have one for years along with food processor….
One day I will elaborate!! And one day I will take the plunge again too…..it WILL happen..!! Of course the encouragement from my new blog friends is definitely a plus! Stay tuned dear friend!
Speaking of weather..I am off to catch a leprechaun, we’ve got hail, sun, ominous dark clouds…a bit of everything happening here and I can sense a rainbow coming on!
Have a fab day at the market – and happy kale hunting!! xo
yum!!!!
We are just getting into smoothies. I think I’ll give this recipe a try! Beautiful photos, as always!
Hi Anastasia! You are in for a treat if you like creamy – today I also had a fave: straight up frozen mango, avocado, and tropical fruit juice with a little ice! I swear it was heaven…
Keep me posted how you make out! Thanks!!
Looks yummy!! How does the kale do it the smoothie?? I usually do spinach, but love the diversity of kale. I have a Peach Avocado smoothie recipe on my blog from a couple months back!! Soo tasty! Thanks for sharing your recipe
I am totally going to check out your recipe – smoothie season is here with the warmer weather, and the kale is great! Very similar to spinach, you just want to use a ‘less is more’ approach as the flavor should not overtake the fruit….otherwise easy as can be! Thanks for stopping by – have a great day!
In Brazil we blend an avacado, coconut milk, and a little bit of raw/brown sugar- so delicious.
Wow! – sounds deliciously dangerous – what is your source of coconut milk in Brazil?
Wow! Looks delicious and feels like this is going to be quite a guilt-free smoothie!
Thanks! It’s a good base that can open up any combination you like – and yes, guilt free for sure!
Fav smoothie fruit is bananas and berries. I love frozen banana especially and make thick ‘ice cream’ shakes I can eat with a spoon in summer!
Yum – I like the way you think! – Awesome! Thanks for the follow!
Mmmm I have been a fan of avocado in my smoothies for some time now but love the idea of putting kale in them for the extra benefits. I think, nope, definitely heading to the market soon to pick some up. I wonder if spinach would be as effective? But I eat so much of it as it that kale would add some nice variety
I also agree with the coconut water – a-mazing!! full of magnesium and potassium (especially after a workout).
This morning, my post workout smoothie included: no sugar added soy milk (i have candida, so I need to watch the sugar), frozen strawberries, frozen mango, coconut water, 2 tsps of carob powder and coconut water. YUM! The thing I love about carob powder is that it’s a great, healthy alternative to cocoa/chocolate.
Looking forward to more of your posts!
Beverly
Thanks Beverly – your smoothie sounds divine! Spinach of course will work in place of the kale – any green leaf veg will do! Glad to have you as a new reader! Looking forward too! Cheers!
I love how now I can start taking pictures of dinners for the blog now that it is lighter out. I have missed that
I am not a big smoothie person {though I really wish I was}–maybe it’s the cold aspect. I’m not big on ice cream, shakes, smoothies, etc. BUT putting an avocado in it? Now you are talking, girl! I am obsessed with that green treasure and have a feeling that would be sooooo good! xo
Yeah – isn’t the photo freedom great?! I’ve had a few dinners at breakfast as a result of optimal photo taking time since I started this blog
!! Hehe!
I am sort of with you in the cold food camp – I have to be careful not to get cold and I find the avo really ‘warms’ the smoothie if that makes sense? ‘Green treasure’ – nice one for St. Paddy’s day girl! xo
I never thought I would try a green smoothie, but this one doesn’t look bad at all. I may actually try this out soon. But I will first have to pry myself away from my natural fruit smoothies first lol
This is the right one
Got it – you are right! Food of the gods!
Another liquid to consider is herbal tea… I happen to love red bush tea (rooibus) and I use a blend from Republic of Tea’s “Be Well” teas: get clean. This blend has some herbs that support liver and kidneys. Sometimes I put of hibiscus in as well. For me, this lowers the calorie count a bit (you can easily go overboard on a smoothie!) but works for good taste.
I’m another vita-mix afficiando…smoothies, soups, nut butters, making flour, etc. Looking forward to hearing your story.
I’m new to this blog – realize this is an older post… your entire premise and what I’ve read are truly making me think – that is a GOOD thing!
Fabulous Liz, and thank YOU for visiting! I am always happy to hear from a new reader and look forward to sharing more – there are many stories to tell
I love your suggestion of adding herbal tea to smoothies and would never have thought! you are right about those calorie counts! Thanks again for stopping by….looking forward to more! X