Getting my Greens
posted by Gabrilla Ballard

It has been a long time since any of us has written anything. Partly because of changes in local and lifestyle. I am making a commitment to blog at least once a week to keep the blog fresh and to have a log of my own progress in living a holistically healthy life.

For the past week or so, I have making a lot of fresh fruit smoothies, in an attempt to get more fruit in my diet. I often go to the website http://thesunnyrawkitchen.blogspot.com. Afew weeks back, I found that they had a whole piece on greens. I was immediately inspired by the information. I also realized that I could not remember the last time I had raw greens. I assumed that I was getting enough by adding green powders to my drinks. But I was not. So on the greems I went. Being that I had recently bought a bunch of organic kale, I decided to add about a cup to my fruit smoothies and see how it came out... I loved it. I wanted to know more about green smoothies and their health benefits, so I went out and bought a copy of the book “Green For Life” by Victoria Boutenko. This book is really opening up a new world for me in regards to how I look at what I am consuming, especially greens. I have always thought that I was a pretty conscious eater, but I am learning that I have been way off track, eating a diet that was vegetarian, but largely carbs and refined ingredients. I can honestly say that I have consumed more greens this week than I have in years and I am already experiencing results. I am a recovering sugar addict and this past few days, my cravings have decreased substantially. It does not take as much will power. Which is a HUGE thing for me.

What I love is that, it is such a simple thing to add greens to my smoothies, I ofetn ask myself why had I not done it before? Now I leave the farmers market with an armful of beautiful, fresh, organic greens. My son even likes them.My mother is in town right, visiting and she is hooked. Here are a couple of recipes that I have been working with this past week.

Gabe’s green smoothie 1

1 banana
1 apple or pear peeled
3-4 kale leaves
enough coconut wtaer to fill half way (about one cup) or water
agave nectar or unrefined sweetener (optional)

Blend until smooth and enjoy

Gabe’s green smoothie 1

1 banana
1 mango
1 handful of spinach
1 cup freshsqueezed orange juice or water
agave nectar or unrefined sweetener to taste (optional)
1 tablespoon goji berries (optional)

Blend until smooth and enjoy.

For those of you out there who may not have been consming as many greens as you would like, try these, they are both delicious and good for you. And here are a few resources to check out that I have found extremely helpful:

“ Green for Life” by Victoria Boutenko
http://thesunnyrawkitchen.blogspot.com

Next week: Alkalizing my body