What goes into a green smoothie?
The best ingredients are a blend of ripe organic fruit mixed with organic greens such as spinach, kale, chard, romaine lettuce, parsley, celery, and other dark green leafy vegetables. The ratio being about 60% fruit to 40 % greens, although for me the ratio is more like 20% fruit to 80% greens as I prefer a less sweet flavour. You might say to yourself - but I drink a lot of juice so I don't need a smoothie! Juices are great, but the difference between a juice and a green smoothie in particular is that the green smoothie is a complete food source because the fibre is still contained. This means; it is a perfect meal replacement and it's the fibre that is very important for our elimination system. Being full of enzymes, vitamins and minerals, smoothies not only provide all the daily nutrients you require but also keep you more satisfied for longer thus preventing the temptation to go for unhealthy options in between meals.

Why green smoothies in particular, don't they taste, well, of greens?
I haven't met one person who eats a standard diet that didn't like the taste of a green smoothie, in fact they are usually quite surprised at how amazing it tastes. Even children and babies of six months and up love them. Due to the ratio of fruits to greens as 60:40 the fruit flavour dominates the leafy green taste, but the greens actually balance out the sweetness of the fruit. Regular fruit smoothies are unarguably very tasty, but the amount of concentrated fruit sugar can upset blood sugar levels, this can cause great concern for people who have diabetes and other blood sugar issues.
Without getting too scientific, green vegetables make the body more alkaline and support our homeostatic balance in the most optimal way. This will actually aid the weight loss process by helping to eliminate cravings for processed and fatty foods. Green smoothies are quick and easy to make and if kept in a cool environment or refrigerator they can last for up to 3 days, which is handy for busy people who work or travel. If you drink a smoothie on an empty stomach avoiding any cooked foods you won't have that acid feeling which is normally caused by poor food combining. Greens are the only foods that combine well with fruit and aid digestion.
It's best to wait at least an hour before eating other types of food such as a cooked meal. By doing nothing else but adding a green smoothie to one's daily diet, I have witnessed in clients dramatic weight loss; increase in energy; the elimination of digestive problems, and improvement in numerous health issues. It's worth giving it a try; you will be amazed at the taste and health benefits.


Health Benefits of a "Green Smoothie "

- Healthy teeth! Avoid all that plaque build up and tooth decay you get from biting and chewing!
- It's a complete food because of the fibre the fruit sugars are not absorbed as rapidly and so you miss out on the blood sugar rush you can get from juicing.
- Feel energized! Chlorophyll found in the green leaves is proven to have positive effects if you are tired or even anaemic.
- Little or no calories! Starting with the big whopper of a cup of Kale at 34 calories, closely followed by celery at 17 calories, spinach has just 7 calories and romaine lettuce comes in at barely 6 calories!

What to be careful of!!

- Drinking too quickly, sometimes this can cause a stomach upset, drink it slowly, don't just knock it back!
- Having the exact same blend every day can be slightly toxic due to the alkaloids, so just be sure to mix it up a little!
- Always make sure you blend the vegetables with fruits, not only is the taste an awful lot nicer, but it will avoid a build up of calcium oxalate, which is an insoluble salt!
- Don't have it every single day! As with all things, too much of a good thing is no longer good for you! Give yourself a couple of days off in between.

The following are some simple green smoothie recipes. You may substitute these ingredients with your own choices of fruits and greens. By adding ¼ cup of yoghurt it gives it even more of a flavourful boost! Have fun being adventurous and enjoy!

Banana-Spinach - 2 handfuls of spinach - 2 bananas - 2 cups water - Mango-Romaine - 1 large mango - 1 banana (optional)
½ bunch Romaine lettuce - 2 cups water - Peach-Spinach - 6 peaches - 2 handfuls of spinach - 2 cups water

Pear-kale-mint - 4 ripe pears - 4-5 leaves of kale - 1/2 bunch of mint - 2 cups water - Apple-kale-lemon - 4 apples - 1⁄2 lemon juice - 4-5 leaves of kale - 2 cups water - Kiwi - Banana- Celery - 4 very ripe kiwis - 1 ripe banana - 3 stalks of celery - 2 cups water
Recipes from Victoria Boutenko, Raw Food Specialist