There is a point, usually in March, when the monochrome winter landscape officially loses its appeal. This often coincides with the first spells of warmer weather around this time, when the snow begins to disappear a bit, teasing us with a glimpse of exposed ground or a hint of moist soil thawing in the sun. Whether it’s this or the looming excitement of spring breaks – the lure of tropical climates and the sobering realization of the existence of color elsewhere in the world – I suddenly find myself craving the taste and location of green with the voracious intensity that only long winters can have. inspire.
The problem is that unless I’m very lucky and/or happen to have a holiday booked somewhere far south of here, I probably won’t see much greenery for the next month. So if I want green in my life, I’ll have to find another way to introduce it.
Enter the Green Smoothie. It’s unmistakably and robustly green – and full of the fresh, warm flavors and essential nutrients my sunlight-starved body needs. The look, the taste, the sense of increasing vitality I feel with each additional sip – it all helps me support the official return of green to the landscape in late April – or let’s be honest – probably early May. It’s a real lifesaver and revitalizing and the closest I get to green leaves and strong rays of sunshine on a gloomy winter day in mid-March. Here are two of my favorite recipes. I hope they will also help you add a little green to your days.
Tropical green smoothie
This is the smoothie I make almost every day of the week. The pineapple or mango (or both!) and the strong note of lime give it an exotic, tropical note that goes well with the vibrant green color – and the hemp and nut butters add protein and healthy fats that make this substantial enough to enjoy. have breakfast. If you like your smoothie a little less sweet or cannot tolerate bananas, you can use avocado instead.
Serves 2
Ingredients:
- 1 cup ripe pineapple and/or mango
- 1 banana or 1/2 small avocado
- 1.5 cups packaged spinach
- 1 stalk celery
- 3 tablespoons hemp seeds
- 1 tablespoon nut butter (optional)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional)
- ¼ lime (peel and all)
- 1 ¾ cup water or coconut water
Instructions:
- Place everything in the blender and blend until completely blended and smooth.
Green Ginger Pacifier
This is a light, easily digestible smoothie with a gentle sweetness that I find well suited for days when my appetite and digestion are not quite up to par or when I just want to give my digestion a rest.
Serves 2
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe pear or apple
- 1/4 avocado
- 4 cups fresh or frozen spinach
- thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 1/2 cups water or coconut water
Instructions:
- Remove the seeds and stems from the pear or apple and cut into large pieces.
- Add the pear or apple to the blender with the remaining ingredients and process on high until the mixture is completely smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Divide between 2 glasses and enjoy.
Writer Danielle Charles Davies has a BSc in Herbal Sciences from Bastyr University and completed the two-year clinical training program at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism in Montpelier, VT. Her articles have appeared in Taproot, The Journal of the American Herbalist Guild, and Kindred Magazine, among others. She lives in Northern Michigan with her husband, two dogs and eight ducks. She blogs at www.bluemoonkitchen.com.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
Read more