The American Heart Association recommends that we all eat five servings of vegetables per day, and four servings of fruits -- how many of us can honestly say we do this consistently? Yes, fruit and veggie juices count, but when is the last time you checked that label of even the healthy store bought juice?
The quickest way I have found to get in a couple of extra servings of fruit and vegetables (and protein too) is with a green smoothie. By now, I am sure you have heard of all of the benefits of these magical elixirs - more energy, better skin, feeling sick less often, etc. Thank all of the antioxidants in fruits and vegetables for this!
They are so simple to make, and so easy to build-your-own!
Here is my absolute favorite, it's so delicious, my kids love it too!
- 2 c. spinach (I just put in two handfuls, I'm guessing it is probably a little more than 2 cups)
- 1/2 cup orange juice or 1/2 peeled orange
- 1/4 cup frozen mango slices (or use fresh)
- 1/4 cup frozen peach slices (or use fresh)
- 1 cup water (a little more if you are using an orange instead of orange juice)
- 1 scoop plant-based vanilla protein (optional)
Place all ingredients in blender and, you guessed it.....blend! I prefer using frozen mango and peach slices just because there is no additional prep that way (and rumor has it, frozen fruits and vegetables maintain more of their nutritional value than fresh).
Ideally, the vegetable to fruit ratio is at least 2:1 or 3:1, but if you are just starting out, you may find you will enjoy them better with a 1:1 ratio (equal parts fruit to vegetable).
Do you have a green smoothie recipe you love? I'd love to try it out!
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