7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge #3 - Day 4

Strawberry, Banana, and Napa Cabbage

Today I decided to try a new green in my smoothie. I've always loved napa cabbage, of course, in salads as well as stir fry, so I figured why not enjoy it in a drink? :o)Because I wasn't sure how it would taste, I went with the traditional Strawberry & Banana.

Healthwise, napa cabbage is filled with benefits.

• For one, it only has 15 calories. 
• Folate filled, which means a healthy heart and metabolism
• It's filled with B-Complex Vitamins as well as A, C, K. 
• It's also a natural source of electrolytes and calcium.
• Abundant in dietary fiber

I must confess though, I did add a little bit of kale (I think I may be addicted) for the added health benefits, but also I was hoping it would add a little more green to an otherwise very pink smoothie. But I guess as long as the greens are IN the smoothie, it doesn't matter what color it actually turns out hehe :oP

Get Your Feast On!

7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge #3 - Day 3

Apples. Coconut. Kale.

A strange combo you might think. I wasn't even sure what the result would be. Surprisingly it's quite yummy! My smoothie ended up being a little thicker because of the apples. If you want to make this yourself, just add water until it reaches your desired consistency. I didn't mind the thickness! It doubled as a great snack! :o) My sister, who is extremely healthy encourages the family to use coconut oil more often because of course it's awesome for ya and so I have.  Gracias sister!

:oP

Get Your Feast On!

7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge #3 - Day 2

Today I went with a very simple smoothie. I blitzed together some  kale, basil, strawberries, and peach flavored greek yogurt. The result is a very sweet and tangy delicious smoothie. Again, you can't go wrong with a green smoothie. If you're someone that doesn't always get around to cooking as much vegetables as you'd like, having a daily smoothie is the way to go. You're getting all your vital nutrients, but in basically a sweet almost dessert form.

This smoothie in particular would also be delicious frozen or chilled--a great alternative to ice cream because of the creaminess of the greek yogurt :o)



Day 1 was unfortunately a fail!! I totally lost track of the date. I always get excited when I receive another email inviting me to do these challenges :o) Be sure to check out Katherine's blog for more details and for more delicious healthy ideas

Get Your Feast On!

2013 New Year's Smoothie Challenge - Days 6 & 7

 

Collard Green Hodge Podge Smoothie

So the past 2 days, I decided to use the same type of greens. I decided to try something completely different from what I'm used to and that's, COLLARD GREENS! As you may know, collard greens are much like spinach, but stronger in flavor, slightly bitter even, just overall more....green tasting lol. I mixed it with whatever fruits I had left, which included pineapple, grapes, apples, mango, citrus of all sorts. It was a hodge podge for sure! I just wanted to mask the flavor of the collards as best I can and thankfully I did just that. Out of all the smoothies I made, although still enjoyable, this one definitely was not my favorite at all.  I don't know if it's the copious amount of random fruits or the collard greens or both that put me off, but I didn't care for this one. I actually much prefer kale.

 I know. I feel a bit disappointed in myself, but hopefully the more I drink it the more I'll get used to it.

I'm not one to give up on a food just because I didn't like it the first time. Our taste buds change ever few years, so it's always a good idea to keep re-trying different foods because you may be surprised what you end up liking this time around.

Overall, this round of the Smoothie Challenge was as always super fun and informative. Thanks to Katherine for the invite!! I've been working out almost everyday since the holidays ended determined to take back my health and these smoothies have truly helped wonders to jump start a cleaner diet.

I'm not going to lie, I don't drink green smoothies outside of these challenges as often as I should, BUT the fact that I've included them in my diet is a step in the right direction. The more I experiment, the more I learn and I'll include drinking more green smoothies into the 2013 Resolution List! :)

Cheers to all the other participants as well! It was fun reading about your experiences :)

Get Your Feast On!

2013 New Year's Green Smoothie Challenge - Day 5

One thing I'll always be amused by is how the entire first part of our day, the sun is shining, the skies are blue, not a cloud in sight, the wind nippy, but nothing we can't handle---all working in good harmony to make our otherwise day of complete banality a little bit brighter......ONE bathroom break later and I walk outside to a full on blizzard happening.

Gotta love Chicago!

^_^

Day 5

BBC Green Smoothie Broccoli, Banana, and Celery!

I read somewhere that adding celery to your green smoothie is much like adding salt to a cake batter. The sodium...dietary sodium ;)....enhances the sweetness. Not to mention, celery's jam packed with anti-oxidants, Vitamin B's (all sorts of 'em), folic acid, Vitamin C, and my favorite....FIBER!!!

I wasn't ready to add complete stalks, so I used the leaves as well as the small softer branches near the top. I definitely could taste the celery, but I personally like it so I didn't mind at all. I also added some green tea to liquify the situation and some grapes and apples for more fiber and flavor :)

Hope your day was as bright as my first half was! If not, hopefully this picture of my bud, Sherlock can at least put a smile on your face! :)

Go Feast Yourself!

2013 New Year's Green Smoothie Challenge - Days 3 & 4

 Day 3

Lemony Basil & Mango Green Tea Smoothie

I know the whole point of drinking a GREEN smoothie is to actually incorporate leafy greens and all its wonderful health benefits, BUT who says I can't use GREEN in TEA form? haha I'm actually trying to cut back on my coffee in-take and though I've always enjoyed green tea when I do decide to make it, it's not something I gravitate towards like I do with coffee. I decided to have a little fun with it. Along with the basil, mango, and lemon juice, I also added some grapes, which are not pictured, for a little more sweetness. After drinking this mid-day I was off the walls and had so much energy. 

The best part? I didn't experience the dreaded crash! woohoo!

Someone's got their eyes on my smoothie!

Day 4

Basil and Peach Green Smoothie

Today was such a beautiful day. The sun was out and the skies blue. My overall favorite greens to work with is spinach because of its mild flavor. But lately I've been obsessed with adding basil to my green smoothies. Basil as you know is slightly sweet and minty. I just think it tastes so good with fruit.

Not to mention the many health benefits of basil, which include but are not limited to the following: 

• A natural anti-flammatory that can help block the enzymes in our body that cause swelling in the bones and tissues. i.e. rheumatoid arthritis.

• Can be used to treat constipation, stomach cramps, bloating, flatulence
• Helps cure cough & colds, flu, stomach flu, as well as other sinus infections and bronchitis 

• Great source of magnesium, which helps promote good blood flow and overall cardiovascular health 

• Filled with anti-oxidants

• Anti-bacterial

- 

  

TGIF!

Go Feast Yourself!

2013 New Year's Green Smoothie Challenge - Day 1 & 2

The first time I was invited to do the Green Smoothie Challenge, I was a little hesitant because I didn't know too much about it, but looking back now I'm so happy I did. It's gotten me more excited about getting healthy and quite frankly let's face it, you can only cook vegetables so many ways. Knowing that I can consume those vital nutrients in a refreshing way that can also possibly satiate my incredibly huge sweet tooth is a plus.

So when I was invited to do it again for the new year, I was too quick to accept. :)

For New Year's, it's a Filipino tradition to prepare 13 different types of fruits (preferably round, but any will do!) to welcome in good luck in the coming year. Much of these fruits will be going into my smoothies. Yum! :)

For Day 1, I unfortunately did not get in my green smoothie. However, I sorta made up for it by having 2 servings today!

Day 2

Creamy Avocado and Banana Smoothie

For Day 2, I made something a little different. One of my favorite bubble tea drinks to get is the Avocado flavor. A lot of people may not associate avocado with desserts or anything sweet, but I swear the mild flavor and creamy texture combined with honey or bananas is an absolute triumph. I tried to keep it as minimal as possible by wizzing up some avocado and banana chunks, some grapes for more sweetness and water content, and a little bit of milk to accentuate the creamy avocado.

The results are amazing! I made enough for 2 servings. One for an in-between breakfast and lunch snack and then the other for after my workout.  I feel refreshed and ready for the rest of the day.

Go Feast Yourself!

7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge - Day 7

not pictured: spinach leaves. I decided to add some for more vitamins!

Can't believe it's Day 7 already! I had so much fun doing this challenge. I've learned so much about how amazing these drinks are for you. I'll definitely be drinking green smoothies more often now.

Thank you to Katherine from Real Food Runner for the invite :)

Strawberry Tropical Green Smoothie

• 1 handful fresh basil leaves
• 1 handful bok choy leaves
• 1 handful baby spinach 
• 2 handfuls frozen tropical fruits 
• 1 handful frozen strawberries
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 cup water

On a sidenote, football season is here!! Go Bears!!

Get Your Feast On!

 

7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge - Day 6

Sorry this one's up super late! The weather was on and off again and so was my energy. I think these smoothies are really helping me fight off a cold.  I'm close to feeling 100% again.

Anyways, I was a little skeptical and quite frankly a little disappointed when the color came out kind of murky and swamp like haha, but it tasted awesome especially the basil. I love basil so much I grow my own. I'll definitely be using them in sweet dishes as well now :)

Basil Swamp Shake 

Ingredients

• 2 handfuls baby spinach
• 10 large basil leaves
• 1/2 cup frozen peaches
• 1 cup fruit juice or water

Cooking Directions

1. Blitz and enjoy!

Get Your Feast On!

7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge - Day 5

I can't believe it's Day 5 already! For today I decided to do a green smoothie version of the Master Cleanse Lemonade, which I know sounds kinda weird. I was running out of ideas and my mom mentioned her co-worker was doing it. I felt a little tickle in the back of my throat and some dizziness, which is a bad sign and cayenne pepper works like a charm for sore throats so I thought this drink would be a great "pick-me-up". I've been sipping on it all day and I feel much better!

For another super healthy green drink, my Day 4 entry is also a great smoothie to prevent colds and ease indigestion.
 

Green Lemonade Pick-Me-Up

Ingredients

• 2 large handfuls kale
• juice of a lemon
• 1 tbsp honey (or to taste)
• pinch cayenne pepper (or to taste)
• 1 1/2 cup water

Cooking Directions

1. Smoothie will be very thin, almost juice-like. 

Get Your Feast On!

7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge - Day 4

Out of all the smoothies, this one is probably going to be the most daring (for me, anyway) and healthy. Only 4 ingredients with a little help from some juicy friends hehe.

The stars of this smoothie are ginger, kale, and turmeric. Enough said. I won't list all its medicinal properties, vitamins, minerals...because there are TONS. Just ask Google :D

Andrea's Green Tonic

Ingredients

• 1 large handful kale
• 1/8th teaspoon minced ginger
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/2 cup crushed ice
• 1 cup orange juice

Cooking Directions

1. In a blend, blend kale, ginger, and honey first.
2. Add crushed ice and juice and blend until desired consistency.

Get Your Feast On!

7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge - Day 3

This is probably my favorite green smoothie so far! One of my favorite snacks of all time is a grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich. I decided to turn it into a smoothie haha. Why not! After using the spinach for  Day 1 I realized that you don't really taste it all, so I wasn't worried about using it here. I used fresh peanut butter, but if you want to make this for after your workouts you can totally use peanut butter flavored protein powder.

This definitely has eliminated my dessert cravings for today. Best part? It's pretty much guilt free.

PB & Banana Greenshake

Ingredients

• 2 heaping handfuls fresh baby spinach
• 1 2 bananas frozen & chopped
• 2 teaspoons peanut butter
• 1 teaspoons honey
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup milk

Cooking Directions

1. Blend it all together!

Get Your Feast On!

7 - Day Green Smoothie Challenge - Day 2

For Day 2, I chose to use kale. I don't regularly eat kale and I always hear about how strong it is, so I was definitely a little nervous. Surprisingly, I think I prefer it over spinach in these smoothies. It has more of that green, herby flavor that doesn't get lost in all the fruit. I think I'll be using it all up this week.

This time I drank this smoothie in place of lunch :)

Refreshing Citrus Kale & Mango Smoothie

Ingredients

• 2 large handfuls kale
• 1 large handful spinach
• 1 cup chopped mango
• juice of whole lemon
• 1 tsp (or to taste) honey

Cooking Directions

1. Roughly chop mango and kale. 

2. In a separate bowl, squeeze lemon juice and massage through kale. 

3. Let sit for 10-15 minutes in refrigerator. 

4. In a blender, pulse all ingredients including spinach until smooth. 

5. Add honey to taste. Enjoy!

7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge - Day 1

For Day 1 of this challenge, I went with something safe and simple... the very popular, Strawberry Banana Smoothie! I made this bright and early in place of my morning coffee.

Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 handful frozen strawberries
• 1 sliced banana
• 2 large handfuls fresh baby spinach
• 1/4-1/2 C fresh pineapple juice

Cooking Directions

1. Blend until smooth. You can ice if you're using fresh strawberries.

   
   
   
   Get Your Feast On!

7 Day Green Smoothie Challenge Haul

Here are some of the ingredients I went and picked up today: bananas, frozen mixed fruit, spinach, and kale. I already have some other ingredients I plan on experimenting with as well like herbs, ginger, and other veggies. I reckon this will be fun :)

Get Your Feast On!

7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge

I recently received an e-invite to do a Green Smoothie Challenge. My first reaction was "mehh" . Don't get me wrong, I love me some smoothies, but I never really got into the whole green smoothie thing. Not because I'm snooty...I definitely am not. It's just that I love greens and often include them in my meals or even as a snack, so when I enjoy a nice fruit smoothie, the desire or thought to add them in never really crossed my mind.

However, I get so excited when I find new blog inspiration. Not to mention, this challenge is the perfect way to rejuvenate my health/fitness goals.

So, I'm up for it!  Be sure to check out Katherine from Real Food Runner for more details if you'd like to join! It'll be fun!

Also, if you have any green smoothie tips, please help a noob out and leave a comment!!

Get Your Feast On!