GM Smoothies taste better than you think

 

I took a small break from the Green Monster for about a week, when I got sick and was hesitant to drink milk due to congestion. But I’ve been back at them, having them 5 days a week, mostly on my way into work, at the moment.  I am trying to find a way to incorporate one into Saturday and Sunday, which I suspect will be easier once the weather turns, and I am spending inordinate amounts of my weekend outdoors.

Don't dismiss the GM until you've tried it at least twice.  You cannot taste the spinach, so really it's all about the fruit and other ingredients you put in there.

In every smoothie I put;

- 1 teaspoon Canola oil

- 1 Tablespoon Flax Seed (ground)

- 1 Scoop Amazing Grass GREENSuperFood 

- 1 Cup cooked Spinach (~2 cups uncooked)

• Canola oil (also known as Rapeseed oil) is considered a “heart-healthy” oil, and is among the healthiest of cooking oils. It has the lowest saturated fat content of any oil commonly consumed in the U.S., at just 7%. Olive oil has 15%. It's an excellent source of the omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, and it is higher in the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) than any other oil commonly used. These fats are particularly important in the diet because the human body can't produce them. Studies have shown that ALA may help protect the heart by its effect on blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation. 

• Flaxseed has numerous health benefits as well when made part of a healthy diet, particularly for women. With its high concentration of lignans, flaxseed serves as a natural way to normalize the menstrual cycle, manage menopause, as well as lowering the risk of osteoporosis, cancer and heart disease.   Extensive studies on both breast and colon cancer indicate that flax seed may play an important role in cancer treatment and prevention. It also; boosts immune function, protects again bone loss and reduces the risk of Osteoporosis, reduces “bad cholesterol” (LDL) and increases “good cholesterol”, decreases blood pressure, suppresses the development of atherosclerosis and inflammation, and enhances blood vessel tone, and potentially decreases the risk and development of breast and other cancers (more info here).

Why do I use the seed instead of the oil? Because freshly ground seed includes the fiber content that is so vital to maintaining digestive health.  I buy Barlean's Forti-Flax and grind it in my coffee grinder each morning before tossing it into my smoothie.

The rest of my ingredients are varied and sometimes diverse. I encourage experimentation, but here are two that I have made that appealed to my palate the most. I generally use frozen fruit (make sure it’s just fruit!), except for my bananas.  When the season comes around, I look forward to fresh berries.

Mango Berry

1 Large Banana

1 Cup diced Mango

1/2 Cup Blueberries

1 Cup Fat Free Organic Milk

Raspberry Peach

1 Large Banana

1 Cup Sliced Peaches

1/2-3/4 Cup Raspberries

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract

1 Tablespoon Agave Nectar

1 Cup Fat Free Organic Milk