Get the Green Reset Book Bundle for FREE! (Here is how…)

Green Reset Formula Bundle

You can now get all the Green Reset Formula Books for FREE! Here is how:

Get my Body Reset and Green Reset Course Bundle and receive all the books in the Green Reset Series for FREE, which also includes all the future books that will come out in the series (at least 2 more are in the works).

The series is available for free for all the members of Green Reset Formula course and/or Body Reset course. (Available for just $49 HERE)

The series includes:

The Green Reset Formula books contain 100+ recipes, plus tips and tricks. It includes the following books right now–check them out on Amazon, with more books coming soon (you will get access to them as well for FREE if you join the Body Reset course right now):

Green Reset! 6-Week Green Smoothie and Juicing Challenge (with recipes, shopping lists, tips, detox advice, and more) (Green Reset Formula Book 1)

Easy Green Smoothie Recipe Book for Kids & Adults: Get Your Family Drinking Greens, Fruits & Veggies with Green Reset Formula! (Green Reset Formula Book 2)

Easy Raw Soups: 30+ Super-Easy, Super-Healthy Raw Food Recipes Bursting With Flavor and Compassion! (Green Reset Formula Book Book 3)

Easy Soups! Creamy, Thick & Satisfying Soups That Fill You Up Without Compromising Your Waistline, Blood Sugar, Cholesterol or Ethics (Green Reset Formula Book 4)

Check out the whole bundle here:

Green Reset Recipe Book Bundle: 100+ Easy Recipes for Healthy Living

So, check out the Body Reset and Green Reset Course Bundle, which is a fantastic deal if you want to RESET your HEALTH and WEIGHT, and get the Green Reset Formula Books as a FREE BONUS.

To Your Health!

10 Indispensable Small Kitchen Appliances for Plant-Based Cooking

1. Hand Blender

A hand blender is a FANTASTIC small kitchen appliance that is super versatile. This tiny blender even makes smoothies, which means you don’t need to use your big, table-top blender every time you want to make a smoothie (an important feature in a small kitchen or when you’re on the road). For a long time, I didn’t think I needed a hand blender, and didn’t consider a hand-held blender as a viable option for making smoothies, but boy, was I wrong!

(For some reason, when I tried to make a smoothie, it didn’t come out right. Of course, after I discovered what I was doing wrong, making smoothies even with a handheld immersion blender is a breeze! After I learned a few tricks, the smoothies come out delicious every time!)

Regardless of whether you want to make smoothies with immersion blenders or not, it’s still worth it investing in one of those. They’re super versatile, plus they’re cute too!

Hand Immersion Blenders

2. Pressure Cooking/Instant Pot

I don’t know how I lived without a pressure cooker for so long! When you cook a lot of beans–and I cook beans ALL THE TIME (white beans, black beans, red beans, chickpeas, lentils, peas–you name them, I cook them!), you ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE a pressure cooker in your kitchen. Right now, I just use a plain pressure cooker and love it. It’s making my life so much easier. I just soak the beans of choice overnight, rinse and pressure-cook them in the morning, and lunch is ready.

Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker

Presto 01362 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker

Beans and vegetables cook to perfection fast!

  • The smart choice for preparing today’s lower calorie foods.
  • Cooks three to ten times faster than ordinary cooking methods!
  • Pressure cooking preserves flavors and nutrients, and tenderizes even the toughest beans.
  • Pressure regulator maintains the proper cooking pressure automatically.
  • Works on regular, smooth-top, and induction ranges. Beautiful stainless steel for long lasting beauty and easy cleaning.
  • Includes cooking rack and complete 64-page instruction/recipe book.

Pressure regulator maintains the proper cooking pressure automatically; Comes with 64-page instruction/recipe book. Ideal for use on regular, smooth-top and induction ranges; this stainless steel pressure cooker may also be washed in an automatic dishwasher. When washing in a dishwasher, you must first remove the sealing ring and overpressure plug from the cover as these parts must be hand washed. Cover lock indicator shows when there is pressure inside the cooker and prevents the cover from being opened until pressure is safely reduced Helper handle for ease of handling; Extended 12-year limited warranty.

If you want some extra features, multi-feature electric cooker is a great choice as well.

Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer (IP-DUO60), Stainless Steel/Black

This particular unit has an impressive list of features:

  • 7-IN-1 APPLIANCES: electric pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan and food warmer
  • QUICK ONE-TOUCH COOKING with 13 Smart Touch customizable programs for pressure cooking soups, beans, rice, desserts and more on autopilot
  • COOK FAST OR COOK SLOW with pressure cooking up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods or slow cooking for traditional grandma-approved recipes
  • QUICK AND EASY CLEAN-UP with finger-print resistant, stainless-steel sides and dishwasher-safe lid, inner pot, and accessories
  • 10+ SAFETY FEATURES including overheat protection and safe-locking lid
  • POPULAR SIZE: 8-quart large capacity cooks for up to 8 people – perfect for families, and also great for meal prepping and batch cooking for singles and smaller households
  • SMART-DESIGN INNER POT uses food-grade stainless-steel (18/8), a tri-ply bottom for even cooking, perfect for sautéing
  • HUNDREDS OF RECIPES in the free Instant Pot app (iOS and Android) so you can discover new favorites and prepare delicious meals right from the start

3. Cast Iron Skillet

I don’t know why it took me so long to buy one of these. I love cooking with them! Yes, they’re heavy, and need a little special care, plus the handles heat up, so you need to be careful, but they don’t scratch, you can put them in the oven, and you’re able to cook foods to perfection just like on a grill. Cast iron skillet is perfect for sauteing onions, mushrooms, eggplants, peepers, and other vegetables. Also, ideal for frying tofu, pancakes, veggie burgers, and other stuff.

Choose the size and style that best suits your needs, or get more than one–they’re affordable, durable, and absolutely worth it!

Backcountry Cast Iron Skillet 12 inch Nutrichef Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 3 Pieces Kitchen Frying Pan Nonstick Cookware Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill PanPre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet - Utopia Kitchen

Ladies and Gentleman these are NOT your teflon coated aluminum/ stainless steel/ trendy copper pans! These are CAST IRON heavy nitty gritty will scald your hands and sprain your wrists with their weight if you don’t handle them properly. These are pans that your great grandchildren will treasure and these pans will make you a MUCH better cook IF you learn the difference between these and the others.

If you are not familiar with the cast iron ways then let me tell you, you are missing out. This thing cooks better than a Teflon pan, is easier to clean, and doesn’t release harmful chemicals into your food. Other ways it differs from the Teflon pan is that it takes longer to heat up, but once it is hot it does a better job at distributing and maintaining heat.

Here is how I keep my cast iron skillet 100%:
After cooking, I forget about the skillet and let it cool.
Once I remember it is dirty, I run it under hot water and wash away food debris with The Ringer (another great product on amazon, it’s a stainless steel, mesh cleaner). This takes roughly 15-30 seconds, remember it doesn’t have to be perfect (best part), you just need the food chunks off.
After this I dry with a paper towel, pour (or spray) a little oil in the skillet and wipe around with the same paper towel.
Last, I heat on the stove (med high heat) until it smokes and then remove from heat. This seasons and dries the skillet at the same time. Seasoning makes the skillet stick-free and prevents it from rusting.

That is it! Overall it takes maybe 2 minutes of your attention to clean the skillet after heavy use. Do this and your skillet can last you your whole life and some, while constantly delivering the most delicious cooked food.

Cast iron cookware is less smoother than the Non-Stick cookware. Iron deficiency is fairly common worldwide especially among women and cooking food in a cast iron skillet can increase iron content by as much as 20%. Hand wash even before first use and dry immediately; rub with a light coat of vegetable oil after every wash. Allow cast iron skillet to cool completely before washing them in hot soapy water with a sponge using regular dishwashing liquid soap; it is not dishwasher safe. Its superior heat retention will keep your mouth watering food warm for a long time.

4. Dutch Oven

I used to admire Le Creuset pots and pans, loving all the colors, but the price being just too high. Right now, you can buy absolutely BEAUTIFUL Dutch ovens in all colors and sizes–and at prices that don’t break the bank. They are great for slow cooking, and look GORGEOUS when put on a table.

Lodge 3-6 Quart Enamel Cast Iron Casserole Dish Crock-Pot Artisan Oval Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven 7-Quart Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Puricon Enameled Cast Iron Casserole Braiser Pan 3-8 Quart

CONVENIENT DESIGN: a durable and multi-functional item creating flavorful meals that can go from stove top, to oven, to table – a true one pot wonder.

STOVETOPS: compatible with gas, electric, ceramic, and induction stovetops. Cooking is a breeze with no need to season – enjoy the excellent heat retention and distribution of the cast iron, making this item ideal for slow cooking.

CROCK-POT: founded in August 1970, Crock-Pot introduced the Crock-Pot slow cooker, paving the way for a new category of appliances and revolutionizing the way American’s cooked for their families. Vibrant colors and classic designs, Crock-Pot’s versatility is trusted by millions.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS: the easy clean and rust free dutch oven is hand wash recommended.

5. Silicone Spatulas

Cooking tools like spatulas are often overlooked, but they’re effective and convenient for mixing ingredients and won’t scratch your beautiful cookware. Its flexible and flat surface allows for easier spreading and lifting of sauces, soups, frosting and other baking adornments.

U-Taste Silicone Spatula Set DI ORO Seamless Series Silicone Spatulas Set of 4 - Heat Resistant Flexible Spatula 450F

VERSATILE, BEAUTIFUL COLORS & FASHIONABLE DESIGN: Can be used for baking, flipping, sauteing, and cooking. They will protect your pots and jars perfectly. Great for scraping your bowls or jars. No food and grease down my sink. No wasting the last bit of any jar or can. Give them as a gift, and people will be impressed.

6. Salad Spinner

I love my OXO salad spinner. Unfortunately, after probably 20+ years of use (or so), it needs to be replaced. I’m considering a green Cuisinart, Farberware, or I’ll just stick with OXO, I’m not sure yet.

Cuisinart Salad Spinner OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner Farberware Easy to use pro Pump Spinner OVOS Salad Spinner Large 5 Quarts Fruits and Vegetables Dryer Quick Dry

Washing your salad greens seems simple enough, right? Just put them in a bowl, toss with water, and drain the water. Boom. Done. However, in practice, it doesn’t quite work out that well. Once the greens get wet, they need to dry before you can use them. Well, you can use them wet, but the salad dressing will slide right off and they may have a soggier texture. This is where the salad spinner comes in. With a salad spinner, you can quickly and easily wash, rinse, and dry your salad greens in time for dinner.

The salad spinner is more than just a device for quickly rinsing and drying salad fixings. Use the basket separately as a colander, and the clear plastic bowl for serving. Plus, it makes salad last longer!

7. Set of Knives

You do need a great set of knives in your plant-based kitchen.

Cuisinart C77WTR-15P Classic Forged Triple Rivet 15 Piece Set White J.A. Henckels International Statement Kitchen Knife Set McCook MC29 Knife Sets,15 Pieces German Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife Block Sets Cuisinart C55-12PCKSAM 12 Piece Color Knife Set with Blade Guards

8. Sprouting Tray and Seeds

If you want to have enjoy your own fresh sprouts at home–here are some excellent sprouting trays to do it. It’s really super easy, and a fun project to do with kids.

sprouting trays sprouting-tray-stackable

The following two tools aren’t really essential for beginners, but an experienced cook may consider investing in them (I’m not there yet, I admit.)

9. Kitchen Torch

Kitchen torch is something I’ve been considering lately, as an addition to my kitchen. It’s probably not a must-have, but I only have electric stove in my apartment right now, and a torch may come in handy when making vegan creme Brulee or torching peppers.

Blow Torch Professional Kitchen Cooking Torch

Blow Torch, Professional Kitchen Cooking Torch with Lock Adjustable Flame Refillable Mini Blow Torch Lighter for BBQ, Baking, Brulee Creme, Crafts

10. Tofu Press

tofu-maker

A tofu press can come handy if you want to press the water out of tofu and allow it to easier absorb marinades or flavors of the dish. A tofu press can help speed up the process and give you some delicious tofu to add to tons of meals. Plus, you may try making your own tofu at home. You just need to look for the tofu tutorials online,you’ll easily make a delicious tofu. Personally, I haven’t tried it yet, as I’m still buying my tofu, and I’ve discovered my own way of preparing tofu that’s super delicious, but I’m going to give it a try one of these days (and write about it).

Do you use any of these kitchen tools?
Or do you own any other appliance that you find indispensable?
Let me know in your comments.

PS. Also, be sure to check out my new Body Reset Program–and get the Green Reset Book Bundle for FREE when you join!

The Amazing Parsley: Health Benefits and 3 Green Smoothie Recipes with Parsley

If you are like most people, you may be thinking of parsley just as garnish.

You know, that green stuff that is used to decorate food platters that everyone carefully separates from the real food and tosses to the side.

It’s a shame, because parsley has amazing health benefits, adding a powerful dose of vitamins and minerals to a green smoothie.

What’s so special about parsley?

Parsley is finally being recognized as a powerhouse of nutrition and flavor. Recently it has been recognized as a superb addition to any green smoothie.

green smoothies with parsley


The Amazing Parsley: Health Benefits

* Parsley is rich in calcium.

Forget milk, yogurt or cheese. 100 grams of parsley delivers the same amount of calcium as 100 grams of milk, plus more and minus the health risks. One cup of fresh parsley in a green smoothie delivers 83 milligrams (8% RDA) of calcium. When blended with with oranges, kiwi fruit and/or figs, it’s a delicious way to take care of your bones, without the health risks of dairy products (not to mention hormones and antibiotics, and inhumane treatment of animals).

* Parsley is rich in iron.

One cup contains 3.7 milligrams of iron. Parsley is the richest source of iron from any leafy green that you’d get from the supermarket.

* Parsley contains lots of vitamins.

It is rich in vitamin A (as beta-carotene) and provides up to 168% RDA in just one cup. Like most leafy greens, they are an especially rich source of vitamin K providing up to 820% RDA. Two tablespoons of parsley have a whopping 153% of the RDA of vitamin K, which is necessary for the synthesis of osteocalcin, a protein that strengthens the composition of our bones. Vitamin K also prevents calcium build-up in our tissue, thus helping prevent atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and stroke. They provide an excellent source of folate (23% RDA) and vitamin C (89% RDA).

* Parsley has anti-inflammatory properties.

Along with luteolin, the vitamin C found in parsley serves as an effective anti-inflammatory agent within the body. When consumed regularly, they combat the onset of inflammatory disorders, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis .

* Plus, unlike dairy, it is low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol.

* It is also a good source of Protein, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus and Zinc, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.

In combination, parsley’s volatile oils, flavanoids, and high Vitamin A content may help reduce cancer risk.

Parsley versus Dairy

The good of milk: This food is a good source of Protein, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Riboflavin and Calcium.

The bad of milk: This food is high in Saturated Fat, and a large portion of the calories in this food come from sugars. (source: http://nutritiondata.self.com/). Not to mention all the hormones, antibiotics, and animal misery that is in that food.

So, which one would you rather have?

Well, I don’t know about you, but I’ll skip the dairy and go for a green smoothie!

So, let’s get to it.

How To Use Parsley Leaves In Green Smoothie Recipes

Parsley has a distinct, strong taste so it is best to use no more than one cup in a smoothie recipe. You can combine it with non-bitter greens like fresh baby spinach or romaine and green leaf lettuce. Parsley pairs best with fruits like pear, coconut, pineapple, mango, oranges and kiwifruit.

When added to a smoothie, it turns the drink a delightful bright green. Not only that, it has breath-freshening properties, too. Available year-round in any super-market, it is inexpensive, especially compared to other greens. One bunch of parsley is usually available for a dollar or less.

Buy parsley with deep green colored leaves. If leaves are wilted and yellow, it’s not fresh. Rinse it in cool water and shake or spin it dry, and store in a plastic bag in the fridge. It can also be wrapped in foil or plastic and then frozen.

Parsley Lemon Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch of flat leaf parsley (keep the tender stalks and chop off the tough ones)
  • 1-2 lemons with the rind, pith & seeds removed
  • 1-2 bananas
  • 2 cups of water

Blend well in your Vitamix (or whatever blender you have) on high for 30 seconds or until the smoothie is creamy.

Tip for beginners: add some sweetener of choice e.g. agave, or stevia.

Parsley Smoothie Recipe

 

Iron-Rich Parsley Pear Pineapple Green Smoothie

  • 1 cup parsley
  • 1 cup spinach greens
  • 1 large pear, cored
  • 1 cups pineapple, cubed
  • 1 cup water

Add all the ingredients except for the greens to your smoothie maker, and blend on high for 30 seconds or until the smoothie is creamy.

Parsley and Mango Green Smoothie Recipe

  • 1 cup parsley
  • 1 ripe mango, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup water

Cut mangoes into nice size chunks or slices. Blend all ingredients on high until everything is smooth and creamy. As for most green smoothies, I highly recommend a powerful blender.

Pineapple and Parsley Smoothie

  • 1 cup non dairy milk (such as oat, rice, soya, almond, hemp, coconut drink or raw nut or seed milk) If you are drinking this straight away, substitute half a cup of milk with half a cup of ice or frozen milk cubes to be added at the end.
  • 3 cups fresh pineapple chopped (1 small pineapple)
  • 2 medium bananas (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup parsley chopped, tightly packed or 2 cups loosely packed. (Or spinach or any other mild greens if you aren’t brave enough for the parsely yet.)
  • 1 cup oats (Yes, you can add oats to a green smoothie to make it more filling and smooth. If you don’t have a powerful blender and want the smoothie very smooth you can soak the oats for an hour before blending.)

Blend the ingredients in the order listed. Add more water if required to thin it out. Substitute any of the ingredients for whatever you already have. If your smoothie is too warm, you can cool it down in the fridge, add a few ice cubes, or frozen fruits (and blend again).

green-smoothie-parsley-bene


For all my blending recipes I use Vitamix. If you don’t already own a VitaMix, I strongly encourage you to check out what this machine is capable of! For more information about VitaMix you can go directly to the VitaMix website. You may also want to read my post about the Best Blender.

I LOVE my VitaMix and highly recommend investing in one if you are ready to make serious changes to your diet. I have had mine for almost 5 years and use it daily!

If you decide to purchase Vitamix – be sure to use Promotional Code 06-004554 to get free shipping.


green-smoothie-vitamix02b
Inside my Vitamix: The making of green smoothie!

This recipe has been featured on Raw Foods Thursdays.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

If you have a favorite recipe, why not submit it here in the comment section of this smoothie recipes blog for others to enjoy too!

I also welcome any comments, questions and suggestions. Thanks!


Finally, REVEALED: The VERY BEST Blender for Smoothies: The SECRET to Finding the Best Smoothie Maker for YOU!

If you read any of my previous blog posts, you know that I’m ABSOLUTELY-POSITIVELY OBSESSED with GREEN SMOOTHIES, and if you don’t know what green smoothies are and you’re not drinking them every day, or at least every week or so–then SIGN UP for my upcoming GREEN RESET CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW so you can start experiencing all the benefits of these fantastic drinks ASAP!!!

Seriously, you should be drinking lots and lots of fresh green smoothies EVERY SINGLE DAY (or as often as you possibly can ;-)). Green smoothies are super easy to make, but if you’re just starting out, you may have some questions. So today, let’s talk about blenders and try to answer the MOST PRESSING QUESTION of all, namely:

Which is the ABSOLUTELY-UNEQUIVOCALLY BESTEST BLENDER for making smoothies?

(Okay, I know there is no such word as bestest, but–whatever! This is not the time to fuss about the word choice or play the grammar police, because that’s not why you’re here.  I’m guessing you are here to learn about the best blender for smoothies, which I’m going to reveal RIGHT NOW, so PLEASE, PLEASE keep reading.

So, tell me, which do YOU think is better:

–> A PORTABLE PERSONAL blender that fits in your luggage so you can take it with you whenever you’re on the go.

–> A COMPACT HANDHELD IMMERSION  blender that you can take apart and stash in your kitchen drawer and have it at the ready whenever you need it.

–> A no-nonsense, counter-top appliance, that’s DEPENDABLE and DOESN’T BREAK THE BANK.

–> A HIGH-SPEED, SMOOTHIE-MAKING MONSTER MACHINE, that’s unabashedly taking the most prominent space on your kitchen counter, and cost more than all the other small appliances in  your kitchen.

There are so many brands, features, colors and styles–SO WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE???

Well, the short answer is–it depends ;-).

Whether you are trying to lose weight, improve your health, feed a picky eater, or simply eat more healthfully, a quality blender will be your best friend–AS LONG AS YOU USE IT.

In addition to making fantastic green smoothies and blended salads, you can have fun with making healthy soups, nut butters, whole-food juicing, whereby all or most of the fruits and vegetables are blended to a refreshing, vitamin-packed drink, and even decadent, but super-healthy ice-creams and desserts. (Too healthy sounding? The following blender pics will also make a killer margaritas, LOL.)

best smoothie maker

When shopping for a kitchen appliance, obviously price is always a factor, but it shouldn’t be the main decision point. Even though you pay a premium price for a Vitamix bleder or Blendtec, you will get not just the smoothest smoothies, soups and ice-creams, but also unmatched durability. In other words, if you need to buy several cheap blenders over the years, then you may not be saving any money after all.

For a well-rounded machine that won’t break the bank, consider the top-rated Ninja Master Prep Professional QB1004, $60. It does practically everything well, including smoothies and icy drinks, and it’s also very quiet. Its brand mate, the Ninja Professional NJ600, also delivers excellent versatility for $100. OmniBlend seems to also be an excellent choice. (According to the manufacturer, OmniBlend comes with a powerful 3 hp. motor. so it crushes ice and blends the thickest of ingredients. The motor is designed for many years of use with built in protection features, plus it’s energy efficient. It draws only the amount of wattage required to blend the ingredients.)

If you’ve read any other of my blog posts, you may know that Vitamix is the blender I often use and for a long time it used to be my favorite kitchen appliance. If you can afford it, it’s definitely a top brand to consider. Even though it’s priced more than most other models; but you get consistent performance, versatility, extended warranty, and excellent customer service. The Vitamix Professional Series 750 is several inches shorter, so it can slide under the upper cabinet while sitting out on your counter.

Even though you pay a premium price for a Vitamix bleder or Blendtec, you will get not just the smoothest smoothies, soups and ice-creams, but also unmatched durability. In other words, if you need to buy several cheap blenders over the years, then you may not be saving any money after all.

Breville also makes excellent and affordable blenders. It’s a good blender for smoothies and icy drinks and excellent for pureeing. Plus, the Breville is more sleek looking than a lot of other models, thanks to its glass jar and die-cast aluminum base.


But what about hand blenders?

Can they make a decent smoothie?

Absolutely!

A hand blender is a FANTASTIC option, especially in a small kitchen or when you’re on the road. For a long time, I didn’t consider a hand-held blender as a viable option for making smoothies, but boy, was I wrong!

For some reason, when I tried to make a smoothie, it didn’t come out right. Of course, after I discovered what I was doing wrong, making smoothies even with a handheld immersion blender is a breeze! After I learned a few tricks, the smoothies come out delicious every time!

Regardless of whether you want to make smoothies with immersion blenders or not, it’s still worth it investing in one of those. They’re super versatile, plus they’re cute too!

Here is the honest truth—you don’t need a ‘real’ blender to make a smoothie. That’s right. You don’t have to spend money on a big 72-ounce monster blender that will take up your precious counter space just to make smoothies.

An immersion blender can do so much more than sit in your drawer until you’re making pumpkin soup. The small but powerful blades of the immersion blender are just as good at pulverizing frozen fruit as they are at pureeing vegetables. You can easily make single (or double, or even triple) serving smoothie using just an immersion blender. Just blend your smoothie in the container that came with your immersion blender, rinse the blade, and you’re done. (And, BTW, any wide-mouthed jar will work for that purpose. And, if you are one of those breakfast-on-the-go persons, slap a lid on your smoothie jar, and head out into the world. Your hand blender is one of the handiest tools in your kitchen!

Here is the most important thing about using an immersion blender to make smoothies—ensure you submerge the whole blade in the liquid before turning it on.

If the blade isn’t immersed completely in the liquid, the blender will have a hard time blending the ingredients (plus, it may spatter all over you and your kitchen with such determination that you’ll be cleaning up purple stains for the next three months, making you deeply regret the whole Green Reset Adventure. So if you want to drink your smoothie instead of wearing it, proceed with caution.)

Once you plunge the blade into the liquid, pressing it firmly to the bottom, turn the button to start blending. Slowly move the blade up and down to make sure all the ingredients get incorporated. If at any point the solid bits in the mixture clog the machine, unplug the immersion blender before doing any detangling.

Please, pretty please, for the love of smoothies—and your fingers—don’t mess with the blade unless the engine is unplugged! The button is way too easy to accidentally press, and last I checked we’re making a GREEN smoothie, not a BLOODY smoothie. Plus, if you’re rushed off to the hospital for emergency finger stitches you’re not going to get to drink your smoothie first.

Here is an easy recipe for you to try with your immersion blender:

Cut half a frozen banana into small chunks and drop them into the immersion blender container or jar along with 1/2 cup spinach, ¼ cup frozen blueberries, 6 halved fresh strawberries, and a heaping tablespoon of nut butter (almond works really well with these fruits). If you’re interested in a more complex flavor, drop in a ¼-inch pieceof fresh, peeled ginger and a few fresh mint or sage leaves. Pour in 1 cup of water or plant milk. If the liquid doesn’t reach the top of the solid stuff, pour more milk or some coconut water until the fruit is well covered. Blend and enjoy!

My kitchen is small now, so I keep my Vitamix stashed on a windowsill, plus, because I’m living in Europe now, I have to use a heavy-duty transformer to make the blender work with the different voltage. Since counter space is limited, so let’s just say it’s not ideal.

I still use Vitamix to make a full blender of smoothie (or two) for the whole family, but to make a quick smoothie in the morning, the small, hand-held blender is JUST PERFECT.

spinach smoothie recipe


Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

If you have a favorite recipe, why not submit it here in the comment section of this green smoothie recipes blog for others to enjoy too!

Spinach Smoothie in Vitamix

The Making of Spinach Smoothie: Inside of my Vitamix


Green Blended Soups ROCK!

When fruits and veggies are plentiful, EAT THEM UP!

And when blending, remember that GREEN SMOOTHIES are not the only game in town :-). (Hint, hint: RAW SOUPS are FANTASTIC for those who crave something more savory.)

Here is one recipe for you:

Green Raw Cucumber Soup

2 ripe avocados, halved, pitted, peeled and diced
4 cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and chopped
½ jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced (optional)
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus a few springs for garnish
4 tablespoons fresh lime or lemon juice
1 clove garlic
½ cup of water
Salt and pepper to taste

For garnish
1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
1 julienned radish
½ red bell pepper, cut into strips
½ cup fresh corn kernels

Method
Put the avocados, cucumbers, jalapeno pepper, cilantro, lime juice, lemon juice, water, and a dash of salt, if using, in a blender and process until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about one hour or up to 3 hours. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each portion with radish, bell pepper, corn, and cilantro.  

Variations
Substitute cilantro with chopped fresh dill for tasty cucumber-dill soup. Add 1 cup chopped spinach or lettuce. Garnish with cashew sour cream. To make cashew sour cream, squeeze some lemon juice into thick cashew cream (see the Cashew Cream Recipe).

***Be sure to share it on social media with anyone who’ll listen 😉 ***

***Be sure to check out my book, “Easy Raw Soups: 30+ Super-Easy, Super-Healthy Raw Food Soup Recipes Bursting With Flavor and Compassion!” on Amazon.

OR go for the whole GREEN RESET BUNDLE: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086KJFX4Y/

Cheers!

green raw blended soups ROCK!

To Your Health!
Joanna

Finally! Healthy Nutrition Made Easy: Learn How to Prepare Delicious Green Smoothies That Your Family Will Love!

If you are looking for easy healthy recipes and an super-easy way to add super-important nutrients to your everyday diet, you are truly lucky to have found this page!

Because what you will learn here – if you just try it and stick with it – will likely change your life and health for the better (really, I don’t exaggerate one bit – because it happened to me a few years back).

Introducing…Green Smoothies

You probably heard about green smoothies by now, as everyone is raving about them. You may call them blended drinks, green shakes, green smoothies, green fruit smoothies, drinkable salads or salads straight from your blender.

It doesn’t really matter what you call them — as long as you drink them!

The fact is that if you are having problems with eating a healthy diet, and especially if you have picky-eaters in your house who will not eat a green vegetable if their life depended on it – this is a perfect solution to your problem.

The idea to blend various kinds of leafy greens, fruits and vegetables to create a liquid soup with a baby food consistency is not new. About 5 years ago that Victoria Boutenko (from the Raw Family) greatly popularized the concept of the Green Smoothie.

The Green Smoothie is essentially a blended salad made with fruits and leafy greens, with some optional water, blended at high speeds to smooth consistency. Generally, hard or savory vegetables such as carrots or tomatoes are avoided, or only added in small quantities. Only fruits, leafy greens, and some vegetables are included.

Many of you may cringe at the idea of adding spinach or kale to a fruit smoothie, thinking these greens belong to a salad or dinner side-dish and not in a sweet drink.

However, the fact remains that this is the EASIEST, FASTEST, and TASTIEST way to consume large amounts of greens on a regular basis.

Just think about it: it’s MUCH faster to drink the same amount of greens in a smoothie than that it would take you to prepare and consume (and that includes chewing properly!) the same amount of greens, fruits and vegetables in a salad or other dishes.

Great things I love about smoothies is they only take about a minute to prepare (with a good blender, such as Blendtec or Vitamix), and a minute or two to drink.

And, when you make a green smoothie, the smoothie making blender will do the chewing for you!

There is really no excuse not to have them!

Important: Quick preparation does not also mean quick consumption. Do not just gulp down the entire glass of smoothie quickly. It is recommended that you drink your smoothie SLOWLY – mixing it with your saliva for best digestion and assimilation of nutrients.

Benefits of Green Smoothies versus Green Juice

Drinking freshly made juices made from vegetables, greens and fruits is an EXCELLENT way to add important nutrients to your diet. Juices contain super-concentrated nutrients that the body can absorb almost instantaneously — there is no need to digest anything! This gives the body a rest, while flooding it with great nutrition — great for people who have serious health problems and want to heal quickly.

However, juicing may or may not be an ideal solution for you.

One problem is that you may be skipping juicing — and therefore not benefiting from it — because it’s more work. I used to do a lot of juicing in the past and I still try to do it, but let’s face it – it is quite time consuming and really messy. My problem is over since I started making green smoothies. Making smoothies is a super easy way to eat lots of greens, and a great alternative to juicing. It is much faster, less messy, and you also get fiber in addition to juice, so you get that feeling of satiety. If you can discipline yourself to make fresh juices regularly, great! Otherwise, stick with green smoothies, or — I believe the best solution is to drink both!

Another problem with juice is that you leave behind the valuable fiber that slows down the absorption of nutrients and provides the feeling of fullness. This can be seen as a benefit, but can also be a problem ;-). Drinking a juice is not a “satisfying meal” in itself. So if you juice, then go on to eat junk food because you feel hungry, it’s better to have a green smoothie, that will leave you satisfied for longer.

Fortunately, whichever option you choose, you cannot go wrong. Whether you are making vegetable juices or blending green smoothies, you are doing your body a huge favor.

So, How Do You Make A Smoothie?

Let’s start with some great ingredients for your smoothie creations.

Great Ingredients For Your Green Smoothies

GREENS: kale, bok choy, chard, spinach, parsley, romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, mint, basil, cilantro, or other.

FRUITS: bananas, pears, apples, mango, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, kiwi, pineapple, melon, papaya, watermelon, grapes, or other.

VEGGIES: cucumber, celery, avocado (small amount only).

Some fruit and green combinations you may want to try:

  • Spinach with bananas and strawberries
  • Spinach with apples, bananas, and some lemon or lime juice
  • Spinach, bananas, peaches, mango
  • Romaine lettuce with bananas
  • Romaine lettuce with cucumber and bananas
  • Romaine and celery with blueberries
  • Parsley and ripe pears
  • Parsley, celery, apple and pears

Add 1-2 cups of water and blend until smooth. Adjust proportions to your liking. Try to experiment with different greens and fruits. Fruits are added for sweetness, so make sure they are really RIPE, especially bananas. Beautifully ripened bananas look like this:

green-smoothie-before

Okay, so I need to add more spinach here, but I really love sweet taste of bananas!

In the beginning, when you are just starting out with the green smoothies, you may want to add just a little bit of mild tasting greens (such as spinach), to let your taste buds get used to the taste. Start adding more greens of various kinds (many of them are stronger tasting) later on.

Greens to add to your smoothies: spinach, arugula, Swiss chard, dandelion, kale, collard greens, beet tops, and whatever else you can find in the store or in your garden. Young, tender greens are better. Iceberg lettuce, although not very green at all, can be used too.

This is what a green smoothie looks like:

spinach strawberry smoothie

Don’t be discouraged by the “greenness” of this drink. It tastes delicious, trust me on this!

Just try it for yourself, OK?

(Plus, if you really don’t want the green color, you can easily make it into a purple or red smoothie by adding lots of mixed berries, and fewer green ingredients).

mixed berry smoothie

Green Smoothie Recipes

Here are more ideas for your delicious green smoothie creations. Feel free to adjust the quantity of ingredients:

Spinach-Apple-Banana

  • 1 head of spinach
  • 1 apple
  • 1 banana
  • 1-2 cups of water

Spinach-Raspberry-Strawberry

  • 1/2 head of spinach
  • 1/4 cup of raspberries
  • 1/2 cup of strawberries
  • 2 cups of water

Pinapple – Mango – Romaine

  • 1 small pineapple, peeled, cored, and chopped
  • 1 large mango, peeled, cored, and chopped
  • ½ head romaine lettuce
  • a tiny piece of fresh ginger

You may want to add some water.

Personally I don’t really love Romain in my smoothies, but sometimes it works well. You’ll just have to try it for yourself. If you don’t care for it, substitute a different green.

Kale – Banana – Berry

  • 2 leaves kale (kale is rather strong tasting, so you may want to start with less)
  • 2 bananas
  • 1 cup of strawberries or blueberries or raspberries
  • 1 cup of water

Apple – Mango – Lettuce

  • 5 pieces of green leaf lettuce
  • 1 ripe mango
  • 1 apple
  • 1 cup of water

One note here on using frozen fruits in your smoothies. Personally, I don’t like smoothies that are really cold, so if I’m using a lot of frozen ingredients, I add some hot water to the mix to make them room- (or rather – stomach-) temperature. I know that many people like frozen drinks, but drinking a lot of frozen smoothies is not really that healthy, in my opinion.

I admit – I am totally hooked on green smoothies!

However, I never use exact recipes – I constantly experiment by adding different ingredients, depending on what sounds good to my body each day. Even thought some concoctions taste more delicious than others, I haven’t been completely disappointed yet!

Now that you know how to make some basic easy healthy recipes for green smoothies, you can experiment with other variations on this theme. When you are ready, start incorporate other, stronger tasting greens into your smoothies.

green smoothies

Submit Your Smoothie Recipe!

When you find a taste you love, why not submit your favorite smoothie recipe in the comment section below!

Find more smoothie recipes and tips on my blog.