Here is a submission from one of our FREE 3-Day Green Smoothie Mini-Course Graduates, where we feature the original green smoothie recipes from our community of slurpers! Debra opted to send us a video rather than a photo, and we hope you enjoy!
Orange Apricot Yum!
By Dr. Debra Tibbitts
(makes about 32 ounces)
Ingredients:
3 oranges
4 apricots
3/4 cup water
Directions:
Blend… and then add:
2 large leaves of kale
1 handful baby spinach (optional)
Blend again. This is one of my favorite green smoothies!
See… I think they have the colours for Valentine’s Day a little off if you ask me. If Valentine’s Day has become a day associated with affairs of the heart, then, and I just * may * be a little biased, but I think we should be giving each other beautiful gifts of GREEN. Kate is going to tell you a little bit about the heart chakra today, but I just can’t resist letting you know that the heart chakra is associated with my most favourite, luscious colour. Take a moment to feed the hearts of others and your own Sunshine. Enjoy this gift with love…
- by Kate Nicholson
In yoga, the heart chakra is associated with unconditional love, peace, forgiveness, compassion, and acceptance. According to www.spiritual.com.au it is “essential to affection, warmth, nurturing, friendship and familiarity…it is the seat of your ability to feel joy, unity, laughter and especially love - the very highest power in your life. It expands your capacity to be generous, sensitive, forgiving, and tolerant.” Today, treat yourself to a long yoga session, focusing on opening the heart chakra. Feel the love radiating from you. Give someone a gift today - anything from the coins in your purse to the homeless guy on the street corner, to a compliment to a co-worker. In return, it will give you the gift of happiness - and the beautiful benefits of that are visible for all to see.
And remember that your first true love is YOU. So today, give yourself a little gift too. Buy yourself a big bunch of flowers. Try to find some beautifully scented ones. Tidy the house. Dust, hoover and polish, then spend the evening relaxing with some soothing music. Treat your feet to a soak in a bowl of warm water with a handful of rosemary leaves added. Afterwards, massage your feet thoroughly; each toe and every inch of skin on each foot and ankle - think of all those reflexology points that you’re gently comforting and soothing, and of the effect that will have on the rest of your body - before putting on some soft cotton socks and lying back to enjoy the oasis of tranquillity you have created today by giving to others and to yourself.
Day 6
Give your love freely…
The True Love Smoothie
Ingredients:
Punnet of raspberries
large handful of mixed lettuce leaves
1 tsp bee pollen
1 tsp raw honey
Directions:
Blend with water and buzz with true energy all day.
I’m starting to think that every week should be a countdown to Valentine’s Day. Pampering, beauty, relaxation…
And healthy, yummy green smoothies…
This is my kinda holiday…
- by Kate Nicholson
Treat yourself to a candlelit bubble bath tonight. Take a glass of sparkling water with a slice of lemon into the bath with you. Slap on a face mask. I have a friend who swears by honey. She simply rubs a spoonful of the stuff over her face, avoiding the eyes and mouth areas, leaves for a short while, and then rinses off. She has a radiant, even complexion. Add a couple of cucumber slices over your eyes, and you’ll look good enough to eat!
I want something for you, for all of you. And for me. I want you to know how tired you were, how confused you were, how sick and tired you were of being sick and tired. I want you to raise a glass of greens each day and take your health back into your own hands. And then you’ll know the difference. That’s what I dream of…
- by Kate Nicholson
Well, I hope you revelled in your massage and shower yesterday. Speaking of water, drink plenty of it to plump up your skin and keep your brain functioning optimally. Dehydration causes tiredness and low mood.
And dream today. Dream, dream, dream… Spend some time thinking about your ideal life. Grab a pen and notebook and jot down some ideas. Cut out some pictures from magazines to inspire you. As Lao Tzu, the godfather of Taoism, said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” So what can you do to begin to make your dreams come true? Take that first step now! Don’t put it off any longer.
Day 4.
Put your heart into your dreams…
Affairs of the Heart Smoothie
Ingredients:
coconut water - to taste
1 mango peeled and sliced from the pit
2 - 3 handfuls of spinach
Directions:
Blend and enjoy blissfully. Then take a step to follow the path of your heart.
I’d love to write you something smart and sassy, but I’m too busy taking Kate’s advice and looking in the back of my fridge for that elusive bottle of almond oil.
I know it’s in here somewhere!
- by Kate Nicholson
Today’s pampering involves touch: A self-massage with scented oils. Angela Joyce on www.ehow.com does an excellent series of videos on self massage. Make your own massage lotion with sweet almond oil or olive oil as a base and add a few drops of your favourite essential oils. (Check with a qualified aromatherapist as to which are safe to use if pregnant or breastfeeding). Close your eyes and enjoy a sensuous experience. You have beautiful skin, and all the smoothies you drink are making it even softer and suppler!
Afterwards, when you’ve showered and put on a fluffy dressing gown, sort out your underwear drawer. Throw out those old grey, stretchy elastic items, sistah! Time to treat yourself to some fabulous sexy new sets! Even if no one else sees them just yet, you’ll know just how delicious and desirable you look under those work clothes!
Day 3.
For new beginnings…
The Dawn of Love Smoothie
Instructions:
Punnet of cherries
Head of mild lettuce
1 tsp spirulina (optional)
Directions:
Blend with water to desired consistency. Feel your heart peek over the horizon.
How does the saying go? Cleanliness is next to goddess-liness? With loving tips to care for the beauty that is yours outside and in, we continue to pamper you on your green way to Valentine’s Day.
- by Kate Nicholson
Start the day with a scrub in the shower. Mix a handful of salt with some sweet almond oil and use in circular motions over the body to exfoliate and leave your skin glowing and smooth. (Don’t use on your face though - too harsh). You can add a couple of drops of lavender (skin rejuvenating) or rose oil for extra lusciousness. (Rose is reputed to attract love).
Smile at yourself in the mirror before you leave the bathroom and blow yourself a kiss! You look fabulous!
Walk tall and smile at everyone you meet today.
Day 2.
Give yourself the glow of health and energy…
The Bewitching Potion
Ingredients:
Kale, stripped from stem
Punnet of blueberries (that’s a charming word for “wee basket” in case you were wondering)
1 tsp cacao powder
Directions:
Blend with water to desired consistency. Feel yourself radiating health and happiness and others are going to notice!
With the help of my wonderful Green Smoothie Team, we’re hoping to add a little green to Cupid’s wings this week. You know you’re on a greener path when you’re more excited to eat flowers than get them for Valentine’s Day. And here to make February 14th a little more verdant is the lovely Kate Nicholson. We hope you’ll follow along with her suggestions and find ways to avoid the slings and arrows of love’s outrageous fortune.
- by Kate Nicholson
Single and dreading Valentine’s day?
Even if you’re still looking for The One, there’s nothing to stop you from making Valentine’s Day a date for romance - just treat yourself with all the loving kindness that you would your beloved.
In fact, put your arms round yourself and give You a great big hug right now. You beautiful, wonderful, lovable person, you!
Here’s the plan. Six days of green smoothie bliss, six days of pampering, and on the seventh day - Valentine’s - where you can treat You to a day of absolute blissful gorgeousness. You’re so, so worth it!
Day 1
Ignite your passion with some fruit and veggies…
The Heart’s Desire
Ingredients:
Handful of alfalfa sprouts
Chunk of cucumber, peeled if not organic
1 banana
1 passion fruit
1 tsp vanilla extract
sprinkling of nutmeg
Directions:
Blend with water to desired consistency. This is the hug you give yourself inside!!
Well, I’ve had the luck of housesitting in someone else’s lovely home for the last week. And I’ve taken full advantage… dips in the hottub, moments enjoying winter’s quiet beauty and silence outside the city, and all the space a gal could ever need to leave her stuff lying around.
Even more exciting, I was able to upgrade from my trust Oscar to a high-powered blender… It’s going to be soooo hard to go back home. Having access to a REAL machine has meant I’ve been on a total green smoothie rampage. I’ve been just throwing stuff together and watching it pulpify in seconds. Why make meals when that’s so much fun?
And since this morning’s experiments turned out REALLY well, I thought I’d take a moment to share the recipe. I’m out of my usual greens (and didn’t want to have to drive anywhere to get more), so I foraged in the fridge and figured I’d use up the following:
Stacey’s Strawberry Mint Shake
Ingredients:
1 - 2 cups frozen strawberries
3 sprigs of mint (leaves and stems)*
4 big stalks of celery, leaves and all
1 very ripe banana
wee bit of water to get things going
Directions:
Put in your blender and momentarily you’re on your way to a fortunate and refreshing delight. *Oh yeah… the mint… I had some leftover from a recipe that I tried that DIDN’T work… eep.
I have to give up my temporary palace and return to the city tomorrow, but I thank my lucky smoothies that it’s been such a great opportunity to relax and work in peace.
And still the compliments keep rolling in…My youngest daughter said to me the other day, “It’s so great to talk to you Mum; you’re so full of life and happiness.” This, about a woman who was quietly, deeply depressed and listless for many, many years while eating the S.A.D. (Standard American Diet) way. Raw has changed my life around. I love raw!
My latest bouncing-with-vitality concoction involves the use of Tahini. And chocolate. The sesame seeds in Tahini contain magnesium, which, according to http://www.whfoods.com, helps to restore normal sleep patterns, particularly in women going through the peri/menopause. The calcium they contain is good for PMS symptoms.
And chocolate! Well, we all know chocolate’s many benefits (in moderation, naturally…). For me, it’s definitely a mood lifter. I sparkle after a teaspoon of raw cacao.
So, it makes sense to me that if I need a natural mood booster, I should put these together in my favourite food format - the green smoothie! I’d choose a type of green leafy veg that has a mild taste for this smoothie. Pak choi (or Bok Choy, depending on where you live) works well, as does Romaine lettuce. Http://www.sixwise.com has a list of nine uncommon greens, and states that Bok Choy is good for preventing cancer, cataracts and fighting free-radicals, and Romaine supports normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels. So take your pick depending on your taste or family medical history! I tend to stick with Romaine, only because it’s easy to get organic locally.
Now… here’s what you’ve all been waiting for!
The Va-Va-Voom Vitality Booster
1 large or 2 small bananas
2 Tbsp raw Tahini
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 heaped tsp raw cacao powder
1-2 large handfuls of the greens of your choice
Agave to taste.
Whizz up in the blender and then prepare to dance your way through the day!
Some of us are diving into the 6-week detox this week. This means we are up to our ears in green juices and green smoothies. Last week was a preparatory week for the detox, and this week is technically week one of the GI (gastro-intestinal) repair phase, which is supposed to last for two weeks. We’re supposed to drink up to 2 quarts of the green stuff a day, either green juices or green smoothies. I’m there now, but I had to work my way up to that over the last six months! When I first started drinking these, green juices especially, I had to add a lot of apple juice and lemon juice to it, but now, I can do more green juice and less fruit. In fact, now I can munch dandelion greens straight and I even like them that way! Don’t worry though, I still have a problem with wheat grass juice! But thankfully, my favourite green detox drinks are simple to make.
In fact, my point of writing this post is to show how easy it is to make up a smoothie, even when you’re on the go. Last week, a family member was in the hospital, and I was running back and forth because of it. I never knew when I’d have to pick up and go in a hurry. Smoothies and salads were my lifesavers! I’d make a couple smoothies, put them in my stainless steel bottles (which happen to be bright pink!), and away I’d go with no worries about having food in a hostile hospital environment with take-out food everywhere!
Here’s one of the recipes I was carting around in my pink bottles:
Berry Blaster Smoothie
Ingredients:
2 frozen bananas
2 cups frozen blueberries
4 ribs celery
2 giant handfuls kale
Small handful dandelion greens
1 T chia seeds
1 T coconut oil
Directions:
Put all the ingredients into your blender and blend (start with the softer ones first if you have a regular blender)! You might have to do this in batches if you don’t have a high-speed blender. Of course, you can use fresh bananas and blueberries in place of the frozen, but it’s winter, and this is what I have on hand now.
In yoga, the heart chakra is associated with unconditional love, peace, forgiveness, compassion, and acceptance. According to 
Ingredients:
Treat yourself to a candlelit bubble bath tonight. Take a glass of sparkling water with a slice of lemon into the bath with you. Slap on a face mask. I have a friend who swears by honey. She simply rubs a spoonful of the stuff over her face, avoiding the eyes and mouth areas, leaves for a short while, and then rinses off. She has a radiant, even complexion. Add a couple of cucumber slices over your eyes, and you’ll look good enough to eat!
And dream today. Dream, dream, dream… Spend some time thinking about your ideal life. Grab a pen and notebook and jot down some ideas. Cut out some pictures from magazines to inspire you. As Lao Tzu, the godfather of Taoism, said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” So what can you do to begin to make your dreams come true? Take that first step now! Don’t put it off any longer.
Today’s pampering involves touch: A self-massage with scented oils. Angela Joyce on 
Instructions:
The Heart’s Desire 
Well, I’ve had the luck of housesitting in someone else’s lovely home for the last week. And I’ve taken full advantage… dips in the hottub, moments enjoying winter’s quiet beauty and silence outside the city, and all the space a gal could ever need to leave her stuff lying around.
Ingredients:
My latest bouncing-with-vitality concoction involves the use of Tahini. And chocolate. The sesame seeds in Tahini contain magnesium, which, according to 
The Va-Va-Voom Vitality Booster
dandelion greens straight and I even like them that way! Don’t worry though, I still have a problem with wheat grass juice! But thankfully, my favourite green detox drinks are simple to make.
