Power on with GREEN Smoothies

To wake up in the morning and nourish your body with a nutrionally, oxygen packed super smoothie is INCREDIBLE! I was a little unsure about the whole 'green smoothie' concept when I first heard about it, but when I saw my dear mum getting great results with it, and even going to the length to buy a 'magic bullet' to make green smoothies whilst travelling, I thought to give it a go.

After a few days of trying mums super green smoothies, I decided it was time to experiment a little myself. Green bliss!! I was making the smoothies for family and friends - Danny and Marco (below) loved it immediately and asked for "mooore"!

So why are green smoothies so great for you? Green smoothies are FULL of green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, kale, carrot tops, beetroot tops, spinach, chard, parsley, mint and any other leafy green that you desire. Greens are jam packed with dense nutrional qualities - protein, chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and 'friendly' fibre. In addition to leafy greens, you add fresh fruit such as pineapple or pear which is highly nutritious. Most people do not eat near enough the amount of leafy greens that our bodies need, so a smoothie is a ideal way to consume more.

Everyone likes their green smoothies done differently, so get out your blender and start experimenting. Here is our family favourite:

Small bunch of mixed leafy greens (lettuce, kale, beetroot leaves, carrot leaves, parsley and mint)

1/2 a large SWEET pineapple

1/2 a lemon with the skin on BUT seeds out so not bitter (make SURE it is organic when using the skin)

1 Tbs honey or enough to sweeten to liking (optional)

* Chop up the greens, pinapple and lemon and place into blender. Add the lemon and place enough water in the blender to cover all the ingredients by 2cm.

Blend all the raw living ingredients together for a couple of minutes. You want it to come out as a juice consistency and not too thick - so please add water as necessary.

To learn more about the benefits of green smoothies, have a look at The Boutenko Families Green Smoothie blog.

Enjoy your smoothie and try to drink one each day. Bon Appetit!!