Sipping on my favorite green smoothie from our 10-day smoothie cleanse. Yesterday was our last day, but one green smoothie a day will always be a part of my life. #greensmoothiesforlife is my motto. Just like meditating and working out in the morning sets the tone for the rest of my day so does a green smoothie. I end up making way better food choices and I have more energy throughout the day.
During our cleanse, I shared information on how to optimize weight with plant-based foods. Although, the green smoothie cleanse is NOT a diet, I think it's important to educate on how real clean foods such as fresh greens, veggies and fruits naturally supports any weight loss goals. These healthy foods doesn't only have a higher nutritional content, they also contain more water and fiber than processed foods so they will fill up our stomachs faster and we will feel more satisfied. Counting counting calories and portion control becomes a thing of the past. Visualize your stomach eating a handful of raisins versus a bowl of grapes. Same amount of calories but what will fill you up faster?
My goal for the cleanse was for the participants to feel the difference and to learn about nutritional benefits so that it would make it easier for them to make healthy choices . I remember how it felt the first time I cleansed with plant foods. I had no idea that it was possible to feel so good. I slept good, had tons of energy and jumped out of bed to seize the day. This feeling will always serve as a sweet reminder that a healthy diet is a powerful tool for protecting our health. It's OK to have some unhealthier food from time to time but once you know how good you feel and the benefits of healthy foods it's easier to jump right back and not fall off the wagon. And if you fall you won't fall as far because you know what serves your body and what doesn't so it's easier to get back up and on track. Knowledge is a powerful tool and green smoothies will always be my go to for a quick and nutritious meal.
Want to experience how you feel after 10-days of green smoothies? Join my free a Facebook group called Green Smoothies For Life. It includes 10 recipes, shopping list and lots of other healthy information. Request an invite here:
Finally, here is the yummy recipe you have been waiting for (not in the group).
Citrus Fresh Smoothie
INGREDIENTS:
1 frozen or fresh banana
1 cup kale (stems removed)
1 lime, peeled
2 oranges, juiced
½ lemon, juiced
1-2 drops citrus fresh vitality essential oil
½ cup coconut water or filtered water
1/2 ice (optional)
1 frozen or fresh banana
1 cup kale (stems removed)
1 lime, peeled
2 oranges, juiced
½ lemon, juiced
1-2 drops citrus fresh vitality essential oil
½ cup coconut water or filtered water
1/2 ice (optional)
1 date (optional to sweeten)
Optional: 1 tbsp chia seeds, hemp seeds or other superfoods
Optional: 1 tbsp chia seeds, hemp seeds or other superfoods
HOW: Place all of the ingredients into your high-speed blender and blend until smooth
For this recipe I'm highlighting Citrus Fresh Vitality Oil and Kale.
For this recipe I'm highlighting Citrus Fresh Vitality Oil and Kale.
Young Living's Citrus Fresh Vitality is a powerhouse oil featuring the bright aromas of five citrus essential oils plus Spearmint. Citrus Fresh is perfect to add to your favorite foods. It includes naturally occurring constituents limonene, beta-pinene, and linalol.
Physically, it is a cleanser and helps with detoxification. Put a drop of Citrus Fresh in your water. It is perfect for those hot days because it is refreshing to drink. And it tastes great in a smoothie like this one!! If you like citrus and mint then you will absolutely love this blend. It's refreshing and tastes great! It contains five different citrus oils plus Spearmint essential oil for that minty after taste.
What is in Citrus Fresh Essential Oil Blend? There are six different oils in Citrus Fresh. They are listed below along with a brief description of each oil.
-Lemon Essential Oil (Citrus limon) consists of 68 percent d-limonene. It has cleansing and purifying properties. It takes 75 lemons to create one 15 ml bottle of lemon therapeutic grade oil.
-Mandarin Essential Oil (Citrus reticulata) is uplifting to the mind and body and brings happiness and peace. It eases stress, irritability and may help get a good night's rest when diffused.
-Tangerine Essential Oil (Citrus reticulata) contains esters and aldehydes that are calming. Rich in d-limonene it helps to maintain a healthy lifestyle regimen.
-Orange Essential Oil (Citrus sinensis) is rich in the d-limonene and may support cellular function. Also has calming effects and may be used for feelings of peace.
-Grapefruit Essential Oil (Citrus paradisi) Rich in d-limonene, it is nourishing to the skin;and may help with a feeling of satiety. Traditionally cleansing to the mind and body.
-Spearmint Essential Oil (Mentha spicata) Rich in carvone and d-limonene, may help calm occasional nausea. Blend with Peppermint oil for digestive system support. May support respiratory health.
Physically, it is a cleanser and helps with detoxification. Put a drop of Citrus Fresh in your water. It is perfect for those hot days because it is refreshing to drink. And it tastes great in a smoothie like this one!! If you like citrus and mint then you will absolutely love this blend. It's refreshing and tastes great! It contains five different citrus oils plus Spearmint essential oil for that minty after taste.
What is in Citrus Fresh Essential Oil Blend? There are six different oils in Citrus Fresh. They are listed below along with a brief description of each oil.
-Lemon Essential Oil (Citrus limon) consists of 68 percent d-limonene. It has cleansing and purifying properties. It takes 75 lemons to create one 15 ml bottle of lemon therapeutic grade oil.
-Mandarin Essential Oil (Citrus reticulata) is uplifting to the mind and body and brings happiness and peace. It eases stress, irritability and may help get a good night's rest when diffused.
-Tangerine Essential Oil (Citrus reticulata) contains esters and aldehydes that are calming. Rich in d-limonene it helps to maintain a healthy lifestyle regimen.
-Orange Essential Oil (Citrus sinensis) is rich in the d-limonene and may support cellular function. Also has calming effects and may be used for feelings of peace.
-Grapefruit Essential Oil (Citrus paradisi) Rich in d-limonene, it is nourishing to the skin;and may help with a feeling of satiety. Traditionally cleansing to the mind and body.
-Spearmint Essential Oil (Mentha spicata) Rich in carvone and d-limonene, may help calm occasional nausea. Blend with Peppermint oil for digestive system support. May support respiratory health.
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Oh kale, I love you. Kale is very high in nutrients and very low in calories, making it one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.
-A single cup of raw kale (about 67 grams or 2.4 ounces) contains:
* Vitamin A: 206% of the DV (from beta-carotene)
* Vitamin K: 684% of the DV
* Vitamin C: 134% of the DV
* Vitamin B6: 9% of the DV
* Manganese: 26% of the DV
* Calcium: 9% of the DV
* Copper: 10% of the DV
* Potassium: 9% of the DV
* Magnesium: 6% of the DV
* It also contains 3% or more of the DV for vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), iron and phosphorus
-This is coming with a total of 33 calories, 6 grams of carbs (2 of which are fiber) and 3 grams of protein.
-A single cup of raw kale (about 67 grams or 2.4 ounces) contains:
* Vitamin A: 206% of the DV (from beta-carotene)
* Vitamin K: 684% of the DV
* Vitamin C: 134% of the DV
* Vitamin B6: 9% of the DV
* Manganese: 26% of the DV
* Calcium: 9% of the DV
* Copper: 10% of the DV
* Potassium: 9% of the DV
* Magnesium: 6% of the DV
* It also contains 3% or more of the DV for vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), iron and phosphorus
-This is coming with a total of 33 calories, 6 grams of carbs (2 of which are fiber) and 3 grams of protein.
-Kale contains very little fat, but a large portion of the fat in it is an omega-3 fatty acid called alpha linolenic-acid.
-Many powerful antioxidants are found in kale, including quercetin and kaempferol, which have numerous beneficial effects on health. They have powerful heart-protective, blood pressure-lowering, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-depressant and anti-cancer effects, to name a few.
-Kale contains substances that bind bile acids and lower cholesterol levels in the body.
-Vitamin K is an important nutrient that is involved in blood clotting. A single cup of kale contains 7 times the RDA for vitamin K.
-Kale is very high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that the body can turn into vitamin A.
-Many powerful antioxidants are found in kale, including quercetin and kaempferol, which have numerous beneficial effects on health. They have powerful heart-protective, blood pressure-lowering, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-depressant and anti-cancer effects, to name a few.
-Kale contains substances that bind bile acids and lower cholesterol levels in the body.
-Vitamin K is an important nutrient that is involved in blood clotting. A single cup of kale contains 7 times the RDA for vitamin K.
-Kale is very high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that the body can turn into vitamin A.
Cheers to health!
