Kiwi Apple Spinach Smoothie

My daughter and I were in the grocery store the other day and she found some organic kiwi. Its so funny that we can get organic kiwi in Montana in the winter but she really wanted some. So we bought some.

Kiwi’s are a fun little green fruit with dramatic black seeds in the center. You can eat the skin but I find its fuzzy texture to be not so appealing. Its like trying to kiss you husband who has stubbles on his face and then really all you get is whisker burn, only with a kiwi you are eating it. So needless to say I like to peel my kiwi.

kiwi

Kiwi actually has amazing health benefits:

  • Kiwi’s Phytonutrients Protect DNA – Fascinating. Anti-oxidant properties of the kiwi fruit have the ability to protect DNA from oxygen-related damage.
  • Premier Anti-Oxidant Protection – An excellent source of vitamin C that helps neutralize the body of free radicals. Free radicals might sound cool, but they actually cause damage to our cells and lead to problems with inflammation and cancer (which is not so radical if you know what I mean). And since vitamin C is so good for the immune system, kiwi may be helpful in preventing recurrent ear infections.
  • Fiber for Blood Sugar Control Plus Cardiovascular and Colon Health – Pretty loaded but the fiber in kiwi has been shown to reduce high cholesterol levels, which in turn may reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack. Kiwi is helpful in keeping blood sugar levels of diabetic patients under control. As an added bonus, fiber is good for binding and removing toxins from the colon, which is helpful for preventing colon cancer.
  • Protection Against Asthma – Eating vitamin C may be effective in protecting against respiratory symptoms associated with asthma like wheezing.
  • Protection Against Macular Degeneration – I remember my Great Grandmother telling me I need to eat my carrots to keep my eyes in tip top shape, but it looks as though eating kiwi might be even more important than carrots because they are high in anti-oxidant vitamins A, C & E that protect agains vision loss.
  • Cardiovascular Health – Eating kiwi everyday may significantly lower your risk for blood clots and reduce the amount of fats (triglycerides) in your blood, therefore helping to protect cardiovascular health.

Have you had your kiwi today?

garden spinach

Kiwi Apple Spinach

  • 2 kiwis
  • 1 chopped apple
  • 1 cup spinach
  • sprinkle of cinnamon
  • 2 Tbs walnuts
  • 3 pitted dates
  • almond milk, tea or water

Place all ingredients in blender. Feel free to use fresh or frozen fruit. If you are like me, you can add some extra protein like spirulina or another green powder. Have fun with it, blend it together and enjoy!

organic apple

As we continue into into the New Year with new intentions and dreams for a brighter, happier, more prosperous future, take a minute to think about these seven beautiful ideas to ease your mind and anything you maybe struggling with along the way.

7 beautiful ideas to ease life’s struggle when taken to heart:

  1. Make Peace with your Past so it doesn’t spoil your Present.
  2. What others think of you is none of your business.
  3. Time Heals Almost Everything. Give Time Some Time.
  4. No one is the reason for your happiness except you.
  5. Don’t compare your Life with others; you have no idea what theirs is all about.
  6. Stop thinking too much, it’s alright not to know all the answers.
  7. Smile! You don’t own all the problems in the world.

Lots of smiles and green smoothies!

Michelle

Happy New Year Pineapple Basil Smoothie

Happy New Year!

A new year often comes with resolutions and commitments in hope of success and joy. Many people want to improve different spheres of life, like our career, finances, health, love life, ect… it is often difficult to know where to begin. We often get overwhelmed and within a few weeks we are back to our old habits, which can be very frustrating.

To start the New Year off on the right foot and move us through this powerful time in our lives I propose instead of making New Years Resolutions, take time to make an inspiration board.

What is an Inspiration Board? Its anything you want it to be! Ha! It is a photo collage that inspires you and drives you to help you reach your goals, to stay focused, organized and makes you happy. It’s a two dimensional art project that YOU create to inspire you to live the best life possible! There are no rules, guidelines or limits. Dream BIG and see what you can do!

I am working on my inspiration board today, will post more about it later!

basil

In the mean time, I offer this recipe for you to protect you from the negative tendencies of the past, to push through to a new level of health and wellbeing. Power packed with enzymes and anti-oxidants its the perfect smoothie to start 2013 off right.

Pineapple Basil

  • 1 cup pineapple
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil
  • 1Tbs green powder
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups almond milk or tea

Place all ingredients in blender and blend! Enjoy your delicious and pleasantly power packed smoothie!

pineapple plant

Basil is an amazing herb that protects cell structures as well as our chromosomes from radiation and oxygen damage. Basil also helps the body get rid of unwanted bacterial growth and has many other positive benefits for the body.

  • Anti-Inflammatory – helps relieve inflammatory health problems related to rheumatoid arthritis & inflammatory bowel conditions.
  • Anti-Bacterial – helps to provide protection against unwanted bacterial growth.
  • Nutrients Essential for Cardiovascular Health – Basil is a very good source of vitamin A that helps protect cells from free radical damage and helps prevent free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol in the bloodstream. (Only after it has been oxidized does cholesterol build up on the walls of the blood vessels, initiating the development of atherosclerosis, whose end result can be heart attack or stroke.)
  • Basil is a Good Source of Magnesium – which promotes cardiovascular health by prompting muscles and blood vessels to relax, and therefore improving blood flow and lessening the risk of irregular heart rhythms.
  • Good Source of Vitamin C, Iron, Potassium and Calcium.

Pineapple has many amazing benefits as well:

  • Anti-Inflammatory – Bromelain is a proteolitic enzyme (an enzyme that digests proteins) found in fresh pineapple. It is often used to treat muscle injuries and when applied topically it helps speed up wound healing.
  • Digestive Benefits – Bromelain enhances the effects of the digestive enzymes and helps prevent heartburn and ease diarrhea that may be caused by a deficiency of digestive enzymes.
  • Anti-Aging – Bromelain is a natural anticoagulant that works by breaking down the blood-clotting protein fibrin.
  • Improve Immune Function – Bromelain triggers beneficial changes in white blood cells, thinning mucus and is therefore effective in treating chronic bronchitis and asthma. Bromelain also enhances the effect of antibiotics (see basil above).
  • Protects Against Macular Degeneration – Everyone has heard that carrots are good for your eyes? Well, pineapple is even better!

Here is to a healthy and happy New Year!

In love and light,

Michelle

Parsley Pear Smoothie

Pear-Balsamic Dressing

Parsley Pear Smoothie

  • 1 pear
  • 1 banana (fresh or frozen)
  • 1/2 bunch parsley
  • 2 Tbs walnuts or 1 Tbs coconut oil
  • almond milk or water

Blend together and enjoy! you may also choose to add one tsp spirulina or for a little extra sweetness a couple of drops of stevia.

parsley

Parsley is one the most popular herbs in the world, and although many chefs use it as a garnish, parsley promotes optimal health because it is a rich source of anti-oxidant nutrients that are great for our heart! Parsley helps protect against rheumatoid arthritis, with its amazing anti inflammatory properties.

Parsley is also easy to enjoy by combining with quinoa or bulgur wheat, chopped green onions, mint leaves, lemon juice and olive oil to make a delicious tabouli dish. Add parsley to pesto to add more texture and green color. Use parsley in soups and sauces or add to salads for extra vibrant flavor & beautiful green color!!!

Hope you are all having a healthy & safe holiday season!

Love,

Michelle