2856 replies to this topic

[onefatalgoose]

I started blending on Sunday and I'm already seeing a huge difference in my skin. (3 days ago)

1 tablespoon spirulina
1 tablespoon chlorella
handfull of organic spinach
handfull of organic kale
1/2 cucumber

I love making smoothies, but i've never made one with only greens. Are you enjoying the taste of this particular one? I can't handle them without a little fruit. (Not saying you should alter what's working for you)

[*`*~ABG Fairy~*`*]

crashoran,
Are you still making smoothies? I'm glad you were already noticing results with your skin! That's a very healthy smoothie you were making--way to go!!

[jokerj]

Hey ABG Fairy!
I was wondring what you think about Di-Indoyl Methane?
I know people take it as a supplement because it is supposed to have some of the good effects of cruciferous veggies

[*`*~ABG Fairy~*`*]

Hey Jokerj! How have you been?

I think DIM is worth considering, and it might help speed up your results. There have been a few threads about it here. The following was linked in Alternativista's "Good Things For Acne" post: http://www.acne.org/...en-production/.

Edited by *`*~ABG Fairy~*`*, 11 November 2012 - 04:36 PM.

[jokerj]

Great, thanks!
I've been good! Sadly, my studio apartment-sized blender has broken and, with so many classes and my meal plan at the dining hall, I haven't been drinking my green smoothies! A bit of strange skin, which I think can also be attributed to the weather.
Hope all is well with you!

[*`*~ABG Fairy~*`*]

Oh no! I hope you're able to replace it soon! In the meantime, eat lots of salads!! hehe I hope you're having a great sememster!

Edited by *`*~ABG Fairy~*`*, 17 November 2012 - 05:16 PM.

[*`*~ABG Fairy~*`*]

Interesting article on blenders! All Blenders Are Not Created Equal: Which One Is Best For Your Needs?

[Seeking2012]

Hi guys, I'm new here and so I haven't read all 143 pages of this thread. I would love to start incorporating smoothies into my diet but I have 2 concerns:

1. Doesn't it cost a lot to eat this healthy? I'd have to be constantly buying fresh leafy greens to make these smoothies and that adds up. Here I'll do some math. $4 worth of fresh baby kale would last about 3 days if I made 1 smoothie a day. So I'd have to spend $40 per month on kale alone. Then there are the other veggies I'd need to add, and before you know it I'd be at $100 per month on just smoothies...
2. Is there a good way to grow a garden indoors so I can make smoothies from a small indoor garden?
3. Is there any actual proof (scientific evidence) that blending the veggies like that makes it 4 times more bio-available than veggies you would eat from a salad by chewing them?

Thanks guys

[*`*~ABG Fairy~*`*]

Seeking2012,

1) A small carton of greens should last you about 1 week, which isn't bad. If cost is a factor, you might try a smaller amount of greens. Most people start out with a small handful of greens in the beginning when they're getting used to the taste. Also, your smoothies can be simple. Apples are super cheap--how about an apple and a small handful of greens? Or greens and a banana? Check your grocery store and just buy the produce items that are lower priced--they fluctuate throughout the season, so keep an eye on that.

2) Excellent idea and worth looking into. I have a friend who never has to buy greens! Her garden is outside, but if you have a window with some good sunlight, I'm sure this is possible. Greens you grow yourself are better for you than store bought anyway.

3) The reason you get about 4 times the nutrients is because the blender is more thoroughly able to break up the plant's cell walls--much more thoroughly than just chewing alone, so this releases more nutrition within the cell walls. Dr. Joel Fuhrman agrees with this, and he relies on peer-reviewed studies more than any doctor I know of, so this is probably pretty accurate, and it makes sense if you think about it.

Good luck!

[whoartthou1]

Arent these smoothies "unnatural"? I mean i don't know if the body can handle such a large shock of veggies/fruits all at once?

[*`*~ABG Fairy~*`*]

^ That is a good question, but juicing gives an even higher concentration of veggies/fruits, and it's very healing for many people. Our soils are so deplete in nutrients these days that I think it's good to get all we can get!

[*`*~ABG Fairy~*`*]

I want to share a recipe that I don't think I've shared yet!  It's low-glycemin, which we all know is best for acne sufferers!!  It might sound odd, but I promise, it's really good. 

 

1 big handful of spinach

1/4 large avocado

1/4 cup frozen berries

2-3 spoonfulls cocoa powder

1 squirt of honey

1 1/2 cups water

 

Enjoy!! 

[onefatalgoose]

Cannot underestimate these babies.  The more finely you blend them, the more cell walls get broken down giving you access to more of the nutrients locked away in the greens.  Mine end up being like a green paste

[alternativista]

I've just  managed to make these a daily habit. Because I get so many greens from the CSA/Coop where I volunteer in exchange for free organic produce.  They buy a lot of beets this time of year and the beets can be stored for the next week (it's a one day a week deal) but the greens can't. So I cut them off and take whatever I want home.   I pick all the baby leaves out.  Beets are related to Chard. And they are delicious. 

 

I usually do beet greens, a little bit of banana and hibiscus tea, the best kept secret in the beverage world, for the liquid.  And I have an old school vintage beehive bar blender. The old school blender bottoms can be screwed onto canning jars, so I make my smoothie in a pint jar and then drink out of it while I rinse off the base.  It's been trendy lately to drink from canning jars. People pay up to $10 per jar with a lid for a hole drilled in it for a straw.  

[*`*~ABG Fairy~*`*]

Onefatalgoose,

Green paste!!  Too funny!!    I have been making some lately that are rather on the thick side as well.  I am really loving the avocado/chocolate smoothies, and today I added in plant-based protein powder, and alfalfa and barley powder--so good!!!

 

Alternativista,

So cool about the beat greens, and I love that you drink out of canning jar.  I use those for storage--they are so cute!  It's hard to find the screw on plastic lids for them, but I got some on Amazon.  I remember hibiscus tea when I studied in Mexico years ago (they call it Jamaica tea).  It was very, very popular in Mexico---people would sell it walking down the streets!  I think it sort of has a fruit-punch smell and taste--delicious!  I believe it's helpful for the kidneys, and based on your statement, I'm guessing it has many other health benefits too!  It's been a while since I've had any, and I had never thought to put it in a smoothie--thank you for sharing your ideas!!  I'll think I'll have to buy some hibiscus tea soon. 

 

Edit: Okay, especially with Alternativista's recommendation, I had to check out hibiscus tea!  Dr. Mercola has great things to say, and he even sells an extract!  I'm guessing it's cheaper to just steep the tea yourself though.  Do you have a source you like Alternativista? 

Edited by *`*~ABG Fairy~*`*, 12 March 2013 - 04:01 PM.

[morganhkenneth]

I want to share a recipe that I don't think I've shared yet!  It's low-glycemin, which we all know is best for acne sufferers!!  It might sound odd, but I promise, it's really good. 

 

1 big handful of spinach

1/4 large avocado

1/4 cup frozen berries

2-3 spoonfulls cocoa powder

1 squirt of honey

1 1/2 cups water

 

Enjoy!! 

 

Thank you for sharing. I'll try this as soon as possible.

[*`*~ABG Fairy~*`*]

Morganhkenneth,

You are so welcome, and I hope you love it!!!    There are quite a few avocado/chocolate dessert recipes online as well...apparently it's the new hot thing!  Haha!!