Eat Your Vegetables!

Sometimes, this is much easier said than done!

In a perfect world, we would eat perfect, balanced meals that would incorporate all our of our necessary vitamins and nutrients, right? Right. 

But this isn't a perfect world - and we're certainly not perfect either. So instead of stressing about "eating your vegetables," get a little more creative! An easy way to sneak in your daily dose of vitamins is to drink them - in a smoothie! The word 'smoothie' often brings to mind visions of a fruity, sweet summer treat. Why not upgrade that to a nutrient-packed mean, green smoothie?

What exactly does one put in a mean, green smoothie? Kale, spinach, collars greens, cucumber, celery, green apple, lemon, orange, pineapple, mint, banana, blueberries,  blackberries.. The list goes on. If it's fresh and it fits in your blender, go for it! 

I know what you're thinking - doesn't that taste like... Grass? The answer is no, and you'll notice lawn-clippings didn't make the ingredients list. The key to keeping your smoothie delicious as well as nutritious is simple: balance your flavors! I like to add fresh citrus to mine for a refreshing bite. Or, a scoop of vanilla protein powder turns a mean, green smoothie into a sweet & creamy green breakfast or post-workout snack! 

Here's what went into my most recent Franken-smoothie: 

- 1 banana

- 1/2 cucumber 

- 3 leaves (chopped) purple kale 

- few chunks pineapple 

- 2 handfuls baby spinach 

- 2 celery stalks 

- juice from 1 lemon

- 1 handful ice 

Throw it all in your trusty blender, and BAM:

Deeeeee-licious. 

So, this smoothie contained: 236 cal / 1.7g fat / 53.9g carbs (Do you count your macros?! That will be a later post!) 

BUT more importantly, it also provided:

250% Vitamin A

70% Vitamin B6

309% Vitamin C

31% Calcium

32% Iron

32% Magnesium

127% Manganese

18% Niacin

19% Pant. Acid

19% Phosphorus

29% Riboflavin

26% Thiamin

13% Zinc 

You get the point. Have you eaten your vegetables yet today?!