The Green Smoothie Queen Blog: Getting Families Hooked on Healthy!

Ha! Who Needs Prozac?!

Monday, February 1st, 2010 by stacey

- by Kate Nicholson

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!

Retrieved January 25, 2010 from: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=84

Retrieved January 25, 2010 from: http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/07/04/04/nine-uncommon-green-leafy-vegetables-worth-trying.htm

Tags: bok choy, cacao, chocolate, mood, PMS, prozac, romaine, sesame, sleep patterns, tahini
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Guacamole Green Savory (Blended Green Recipe from avocado, shallots, cucumber, tomatoes, lemon and garlic)

Friday, December 5th, 2008 by Aran

This is a smoothie take on guacamole. The tomatoes add quite a bit of liquid to the smoothie, so make sure that you blend everything else before adding the water. This is a yummy, creamy smoothie: light and perfect for a summer evening (I’m an Aussie and it’s summer here!).

Guacamole Green Savory

Guacamole Green Savory Recipe

flesh of one avocado
2 to 3″ shallots (’flat’ spring onion)
3″ Lebanese or continental cucumber
2 to 4 tomatoes
juice of 1/2 a lemon
splash of olive oil (cold pressed, extra virgin)
small clove garlic
large handful of greens (bok choy works well)
water to thin - add last
Celtic sea salt to taste

I’ve been looking at ideas for different savory smoothies because I don’t always want something sweet. Savoury smoothies are very filling and satisfy my bitter/salty cravings. I’ve only just dipped my toes into the ocean of savoury smoothies, and I’m looking forward to wading out further over the coming weeks.