Dandelion Greens

I’ve tried creating dandelion greens smoothies before and have thrown away entire batches. Today, I found and made one (after harvesting aka “weeding” some lush dandelions growing in my front yard). I gave a small glass of it to my husband, Paul, who said: “It tastes summery.” It’s the lemon that does it, I’m sure. But as I type, I’m sipping down this smoothie and it is yummy!

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch dandelion greens (I used 6-8 large leaves)
• 1 med lemon (peeled)
• 2 apples
• 1 banana
• 2 cups of water
• cinnamon to taste
• a little stevia to taste
• pinch of kelp (optional)

And blend!

Fresh figs are appearing and I bought my first batch this past week. I’ll confess that I’ve never had a fresh fig until now. Figs are a great nutritionally!

• high mineral content, filled with potassium, calcium, iron and trace manganese
• high fiber
• good source of flavonoid and polyphenols (plant-based antioxidants)

I bought enough figs that I knew I would need to find a smoothie recipe to help me use them up. After some poking around online and experimenting on my own, I discovered a smoothie that was, to the taste buds, Christmas in August. So here it is, the recipe for “Green Eggnog!” Enjoy!

Healthy Green Eggnog Recipe

• 4 fresh figs
• 1 1/2 bananas
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups water
• large handful of greens (I used spring mix greens)
• vanilla extract, cinnamon and nutmeg to taste

If you try it, let me know what you think!!

Embrace Love and Life. Embrace Your Health!

My breakfast today:

2 scoops chocolate raw brown rice protein (Sun Warrior brand)
1/4 cup unsweetened organic coconut milk
1 scoop Amazing Grass Green SuperFood, Chocolate flavor
1 cup water

Nutrition Info: Cal: 290, Fat: 14g, Carbs: 16g, Fiber: 6g, Protein: 33g

Pretty good. When I do it again, I think I will add in some unsweetened coconut flakes as well… and a little bit of Stevia or agave syrup for a touch of sweetness.

Good enough that Paul and Amira both shared it with me and liked it:

1 serving Sun Warrior Protein (Natural Flavor)
1 mango
1 med Fuji apple
1 small bunch of spinach, stems removed
2 tbsp golden flax seed meal
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 packet SweetLeaf SteviaPlus

I had intended to include some avocado in this recipe, but forgot. I’ll try it next time. Avocadoes are great for adding healthy fats and a creamy smoothness.

After losing my tooth, I’ve found eating vegetables, especially raw vegetables like salads, is very uncomfortable and difficult. Other foods are a challenge too – but especially veggies. Given how critical vegetables are to my health, I’ve been getting my daily servings in the form of smoothies. I have a juicer which has been really helpful. I would love to get a VitaMixer some day – but for now, my old juicer will do me.

I’ve been tracking down green smoothie recipe combinations. I’m still in experimentation mode right now – but will share favorites with you as I find them. If you have any favorites, please do share!

A premade greens drink that I really like is The Ultimate Meal. In reality, it is more than just greens as it has pretty much anything and everything you could need in a single serving – hence their naming it “The Ultimate Meal”. I love it served with an apple and banana as they recommend… and I also like it with mango. I also add some cinnamon to taste. I’ve found cinnamon cuts some of the bitterness that can sometimes come with a greens smoothie. The health benefits of cinnamon are also excellent, so it just makes sense.

In each greens drink, I also make sure to include a small amount of a healthy fat. I’ve mentioned before, including a small amount of fat will allow your body to absorb all the potent nutrition in a greens smoothie.

And if you are doing a lot of greens smoothies, remember to chew. Yes, counterintuitive, I know. But don’t just swallow the drink straight down. Keep it in your mouth. Your saliva is an important part of proper digestion. Our saliva is mostly water but also contains enzymes, antibacterial compounds and electrolytes. Let your saliva mix in with everything you eat — don’t rush it. The salivary enzymes, such as lysozyme and ptyalin, begin the critical digestion process before the food you eat is even swallowed. There is a saying: “Drink the solid foods, and chew your liquid food…” It takes some attentiveness and practice, but it will improve your bodies ability to assimilate what you give it. That ability is the cornerstone to building a healthier body.