I just got braces so I'm literally living off these!

So will I in about a few weeks!! :drool: No apple sauce for me, blech. 😉

lol I was thinking like 'wtf did you do??? that was my afternoon snack!'

I like to be different too and dont care about what people think of my eating habits anymore but it was embarrassing cos it was my 3rd day there (traineeship) and I just let him think it was some 3 year old orange juice laying around 😛

Its funny to see people reactions to green smoothies yeah. At my other job I gave it the twist that its a power drink with protein, milk, fruit and some lettuce, to gain muscle 🙂

you dont wanna spill it on the carpet though LOL people will think someone puked their guts out 😀

....3 year old orange juice, LOL!!!!! Like the "twist" you gave to your drink. 🙂 Yeah, I can only imagine how funny and confusing that carpet spill must have been to so many people!!! hahahah

Personally, I find it particularly fun to be "different"

It's what I'm most proud of about myself :angel:

 

Very cool Danny and fun seeing you post here 🙂

Ok, so ive decided to jump on the bandwagon and have green smoothies everyday from now on! my new years resolution 😀

just wanted to ask, is it ok to just have innocent smoothies (smoothies sold in the UK, theyre already bottled but are 100% fruit, no concentrate, no sugars, no flavours, nothing added) and pouring it into the blender, along with a mega handful of greens. that'd be the same right?

innocent smoothies:

http://www.innocentdrinks.co.uk/our_drinks/smoothies/

oh and just wondering how this is working for everyones skin? ive been on tane end of last year, so all i need is something to heal my skin now, and figured all the fruits and veg would heal it a treat 🙂

I love Innocent smoothies! I'm pretty sure they're pastuerized though, so you're not going to get the same results with them. Best to stick with all fresh ingredients and happy to have you jump on board! 🙂

So will I in about a few weeks!! No apple sauce for me, blech.

I was reading this thread for hours last night and today I'm going shopping for ingredients to start my Green Smoothie addiction. You guys have all inspired me, thanks!

I hope I can come up with some great combos as well as good results for my skin and health!

I just got braces so I'm literally living off these!

So will I in about a few weeks!! :drool: No apple sauce for me, blech. 😉

 

Good luck you two! Veggies soups (recipe in first post) would be great too if you get tired of green smoothies!! haha 🙂

I was reading this thread for hours last night and today I'm going shopping for ingredients to start my Green Smoothie addiction. You guys have all inspired me, thanks!

I hope I can come up with some great combos as well as good results for my skin and health!

So glad we could help inspire you, and I know you can come up with some great combinations! Just keep trying and experiementing until you find the right combo that works for you. Some people like a lot of frozen fruit, others not - some like theirs really thick, others like adding more water so quicker to drink, etc... just hang in there, and I hope you get great results! 🙂

I drink two 16 oz glasses a day. The first one I made I used a large handful of spinach and some frozen mixed berries and 2 apples. Wasn't too pleased with the results, but I drank it down 😆 For the following ones I cut out the apples and it was better. I started to add romaine lettuce and parsley and they were even better. Today's was probably the best. Now I just add 2 handfuls of spinach, 4 large romaine lettuce leafs, and a handful of parsley, followed by a squeeze of lemon. I cut out the frozen berries and I don't miss them one bit. Sometimes I add a tbsp of ground flax seed. I don't mind the taste of just the greens, and I actually like the green color. They're quite delicious and refreshing! :drool:

Here's to all the other smoothie-ers

:hifive:

Wow! Sounds like you're doing *great!!* Lots of greens in your smoothies!!! I know you cut out the apples, but you have tried apple in your spinach/lettuce/parsley/lemon smoothie? A pear would be great thrown in there too, but you're doing awesome with your smoothies!!!! Let us know if you see results soon! 🙂

I was reading this thread for hours last night and today I'm going shopping for ingredients to start my Green Smoothie addiction. You guys have all inspired me, thanks!

I hope I can come up with some great combos as well as good results for my skin and health!

Oh I know you will love them. Use more fruit in the beginning, I actually still use 2 and 1/2 fruits in mine. After about a week you feel different, energetic, face smooth, ect. I know you'll be glad.

Let me know what you put in yours. Remember the colors are not the greatest, but when you drink it you can't help but feel the you are doing something goo for your body!

I started the green smoothies almost a week ago and I'm starting to see the results. I've also been doing the taurine thing for almost 2 weeks, but wasn't seeing as great results with that. Truthfully, I'd rather drink 2 smoothies a day than take 6 pills a day (2 500mg 3x a day) along with a vitamin, b-complex and fish oil. I've also been gradually coming off BP the past couple of months. Went from twice a day, to once a night, to 2-3 times a week, and now I'm not using any! :dance: Still have 6-7 spots though, the majority of which are concentrated on the left side of my jaw, right on the point. I just can't seem to get rid of those :wall: Hopefully as the weeks go on by, as will my last spots. My goal is to simplify my regimen to use the littlest of creams and pills as possible and I think these green smoothies will do the trick :pray:

I drink two 16 oz glasses a day. The first one I made I used a large handful of spinach and some frozen mixed berries and 2 apples. Wasn't too pleased with the results, but I drank it down 😆 For the following ones I cut out the apples and it was better. I started to add romaine lettuce and parsley and they were even better. Today's was probably the best. Now I just add 2 handfuls of spinach, 4 large romaine lettuce leafs, and a handful of parsley, followed by a squeeze of lemon. I cut out the frozen berries and I don't miss them one bit. Sometimes I add a tbsp of ground flax seed. I don't mind the taste of just the greens, and I actually like the green color. They're quite delicious and refreshing! :drool:

Here's to all the other smoothie-ers

:hifive:

I feel just like you! I love drinking smoothies. It feels so good for your body. I hope I can eventually be like you and just have greens .. but I really like sweets so the fruit is my salvation!

Hi all. New to this part of the forum, usually over at the cosmetics section. I actually got the suggestion of green smoothies from a swapper on Makeup Alley but then found my way here. I've only tried twice but enjoyed the results both times.

First attempt: Handful of spinach, cup of 100% juice (white grape peach), frozen pineapple chunks

Second attempt: Handful of spinach, half an apple, 2 baby carrots, frozen strawberries, tablespoon flax seed, water

Any suggestions for getting the flax seed ground up better? I put them in with everything else and they seemed to get spit up to the top of the blender and not get chopped up well. I didn't mind the texture but would have liked it a little smoother. Should I put them in the blender first and blend them dry before adding the rest? Thanks for your help!

Any suggestions for getting the flax seed ground up better? I put them in with everything else and they seemed to get spit up to the top of the blender and not get chopped up well. I didn't mind the texture but would have liked it a little smoother. Should I put them in the blender first and blend them dry before adding the rest? Thanks for your help!

Have you tried literally grounding them with a mortar and pestle?

just a question, kinda gross

doesnt all the pulped up fruit give you diarrhoea? i thought so much fruit and veg, especially blended into mush would make your bowels go crazy

I went to the fruit and veg market today and was running late for work, but I was so excited about trying a green smoothie that I went home before work and made up this successful and delicious glassful of goodness:

baby spinach

parsley

coriander

strawberries

pear

passionfruit

I also bought mango, fig, pineapple and peaches which I'm looking forward to experimenting with this week.

I have a few questions:

The market only had baby spinach leaves are these okay?

Why do you recommend baby spinach and not regular spinach?

Thankyou 'ABG fairy' and 'bchapais' for your inspiration and support

I went to the fruit and veg market today and was running late for work, but I was so excited about trying a green smoothie that I went home before work and made up this successful and delicious glassful of goodness:

baby spinach

parsley

coriander

strawberries

pear

passionfruit

I also bought mango, fig, pineapple and peaches which I'm looking forward to experimenting with this week.

I have a few questions:

The market only had baby spinach leaves are these okay?

Why do you recommend baby spinach and not regular spinach?

Thankyou 'ABG fairy' and 'bchapais' for your inspiration and support :clap:

I would say "baby spinach" has a milder flavor. I use regular because its cheaper. Other greens I've tried are collard,kale,romaine lettuce. ABG Fairy may have a lot more up her sleeve, I think shes mentioned Bok Choy. She has also said to "mix them up". Like I buy 2 greens eat until gone (3-4 days), then go buy 2 more different greens. What does corriander taste like?

just a question, kinda gross

doesnt all the pulped up fruit give you diarrhoea? i thought so much fruit and veg, especially blended into mush would make your bowels go crazy

😀 anyone?

I dusted off my old juicer yesterday! Literally dusted it off, I haven't used it in a few years :S I've been making some really nice juices and of course been adding my greens!

just a question, kinda gross

doesnt all the pulped up fruit give you diarrhoea? i thought so much fruit and veg, especially blended into mush would make your bowels go crazy

😀 anyone?

 

I haven't had this issue at all when taking green smoothies. I'm sure you'll be fine, too. All the fibers in the fruits and veggies should prevent the bile from being a watery mess. 🙂

just a question, kinda gross

doesnt all the pulped up fruit give you diarrhoea? i thought so much fruit and veg, especially blended into mush would make your bowels go crazy

😀 anyone?

 

No not for me. I've only been making them 2 weeks now. I also am taking a probiotic. Don't know if that would make a difference. I don't even have gas, maybe because the fruit and vegges and blended down like real smooth.

I went to the fruit and veg market today and was running late for work, but I was so excited about trying a green smoothie that I went home before work and made up this successful and delicious glassful of goodness:

baby spinach

parsley

coriander

strawberries

pear

passionfruit

I also bought mango, fig, pineapple and peaches which I'm looking forward to experimenting with this week.

I have a few questions:

The market only had baby spinach leaves are these okay?

Why do you recommend baby spinach and not regular spinach?

Thankyou 'ABG fairy' and 'bchapais' for your inspiration and support :clap:

I would say "baby spinach" has a milder flavor. I use regular because its cheaper. Other greens I've tried are collard,kale,romaine lettuce. ABG Fairy may have a lot more up her sleeve, I think shes mentioned Bok Choy. She has also said to "mix them up". Like I buy 2 greens eat until gone (3-4 days), then go buy 2 more different greens. What does corriander taste like?

 

Coriander has a kind of sweet, fresh, herbal taste. It's used alot in Thai cooking and I love the flavour!

So it's just the flavour thing with the different spinach's? I've never heard of collard or kale, but will look out for it next time I shop. I also love bok choy and will try that next time too.

Today I went tropical:

mango

pineapple

fig

baby spinach

parsley

coriander

I'm loving this experimenting thing! So far so good with my combos :clap:

Lutya,

Glad you found us! For the flax seeds, I don't have a problem blending them in my Vita-Mix, but maybe you could first try blending them with water only before adding the fruits and greens?

Panda1,

I hope you like it with the apple, and I look forward to hearing about your results!

Overload,

This is going to be an individual thing, but I don't think it's a problem for most people. Since you are concerned, I would recommend starting out with just one cup your first day, see how you do, do two cups the next day, see how you do, etc.

wanabeacnefree,

Baby spinach leaves are just fine, have a milder taste, and are actually more nutritious as well! So glad you're so excited about the smoothies and are having so much fun experimenting!

-ophelia-,

How great that you've gotten your old juicer back out! You'll get mega nutrients that way!! Juicing, especially a juice fast, is actually the quickest way to restore one's health. Lots of green juices (half greens/half something sweeter like carrot or apple) along with the green smoothies (so you get all the rest of the good stuff like fiber, etc) will be like food of the god's for your skin!! haha

Oh no! I just read that spinach is very high in oxalates. 1/4 of a cup of raw spinach = 50 mg of oxalates which is the "limit" for the day. I buy baby spring mix that contains baby spinach and I put in two handfuls for my smoothie every day. I only drink one smoothie. Is this okay? I really need to start changing things up...

I thought of this the other day.

I'm not sure if it's been said already or not, but I was thinking that you could tear open a tea bag and put the contents to be blended with all the produce. I doubt it would add any taste, but it would contribute a lot of antioxidants into the mix.

Thoughts?

Lutya,

Glad you found us! 🙂 For the flax seeds, I don't have a problem blending them in my Vita-Mix, but maybe you could first try blending them with water only before adding the fruits and greens?

That's what I tried and it did work better.

I actually knew about spinach being high in oxalates because it's a poor food for bearded dragons for that reason. I'm assuming the one smoothie I make a day with a handful of spinach is okay.

4th week on green smoothies.

currently only 2-3 cups of 250ml each cup daily. (1+ handful of green leafy, 1 apples + random greens and random fruits)

compared to last week in terms of facial skin: no improvement

the week b4 starting green smoothie(before 11 jan 2008): 20+ pimples, very inflamed 75/100 with as much as 15 pus forming periodically, pimples ranging from small to big spread throughout the jawline and below the cheek.very oily. rate of healing 20/100.

1 week after starting green smoothie(18 jan 2008): 20+ pimples (only 3 new with disappearance of several old ones), moderately inflamed 50/100, pimple shunk significantly and healing faster then usual + bigger acne flatten and turn light brown with as much as 4 pus forming periodically. still spread throughout jawline and below cheek. still very oily. rate of healing: 55/100

2 weeks after starting green smoothie(26th jan 2008): 20+ pimples (4 new with disappearance of several old ones), moderately inflamed 50/100, healing as fast as last week, no significant change with reference to lst week. as much as 4 pus forming periodically. still very oily. rate of healing: 55/100

3 weeks after starting green smoothie (2nd feb 2008): 10+ pimples (3/4 new with disappearance of several old ones), moderately inflamed 35/100, healing slightly faster then last week, some change with reference to 2nd week. as much as 2/3 pus forming periodically. skin moisture better maintained for some reason hence only turn oily after much longer compared to the past. rate of healing: 60/100

4 weeks after starting green smoothie (9th feb 2008): 10+ pimples (4/5 new with disappearance of several old ones), moderately inflamed 35/100, healing speed somewhat slower then week 3 because of lower dosage of greens. relatively the same as compared to last week if not worsen slightly. rate of healing 55/100

external factors that could have caused change in no. of pimples forming:

* week 2: exam and other issue related stress.

* week 2: addition of daily intake of kombucha (a fermented tea by friendly yeast and bacteria that helps detox - 1 days after consuming suddenly increase in pimples. slowed down after the 3rd day and back to the constant healing rate 55/100)

*week 3: addition of daily intake of 10B probiotics supplement from GNC. addition of garlic supplement from GNC. both helpful in maintaining healthy gut flora and eliminating unwanted bad bacteria/yeast like candida. candida could be a possible reason why i have severe acne, gas bloating and weak nails. furthermore i have taken half a year supply of antibiotics in the past.

*week 4: reduced consumption of greens due to time constraints and diet constraints. its chinese new year here and im having a hard time trying to accept the junk food XD

**note that the scores ?/100 given are only an approximate gauge of how well/bad the aspect is doing. the higher the score the larger the extent.

in terms of inflammation: 100/100 = whole face red. 50/100 = half of the face red. 0/100 = skin not red at all.

in terms of healing rate: 100/100 = no new pimples forming, old pimples are disappearing. 50/100= no additional pimple count, new pimples forming = old pimples disappearing.

0/100 = little or no signs of healing, new pimple forming continuously.

I'm addicted to these now! I'm also finding my skin to be smoother and healthier looking after only a week!

Today's smoothie:

Baby spinach

Bok choy

Rocket

Strawberries

Mango

Passionfruit

Panda1,

So happy you're seeing such great results!! The smoothies can absolutely help with weight gain. The book, Green for Life, by Victoria Boutenko talks about this. From what I remember, the greens will help with losing or gaining... whichever a person needs. The book also talks about them improving one's digestion, so you are on track there too! So glad you're seeing these results!

Calla Lily,

I so understand your fear of oxalates - I once thought the same thing! However, I have since read that as long as a veggie with high oxalates also is high in calcium, then there's no need to worry, as the calcium negates the oxalates. Spinach is very high in calcium, so no worries there. Most greens are high in calcium. The only green that is considerably high in oxalates is rhubard, so that one might be worth avoiding for those prone to kidney stones. From my understanding, not just anyone develops kidney stones and it looks like certain genetic defects are factors. Also, animal products, salt, smoking and alcohol can also contribute. Good bacteria, ie: acidophilus, etc also helps to keep them at bay. If you're eating a mostly plant-based diet, this really shouldn't be a worry. Also, there are some Chinese herbs out there that do wonders for kidney stones, should you ever come down with one.

Rakbs,

Hmm... smart thinking. If steeping the leaves is healthy, surely eating them is even better? If it's an herbal tea though, you wouldn't want to go overboard, and I would want to only use organic, loose-leaf teas as well that aren't processed. I don't know much about tea though, so my opinion doesn't count for much here.

Lutya,

Glad blending the flax seeds with some water first worked for you, and yes, don't worry about your one handful of spinach a day. See my comment above to Calla Lilly.

Bluks,

Thanks for the update! I'm glad to see that you have much improvement since week 1! I'm hopeful that you'll get even more improvement as the weeks go by! It's still pretty early and can take 3-4 months for some people. Also, are you eating many animal products? More plant-based foods would really help as well.

Wanabeacnefree,

Wow, you are really getting creative with your smoothies!! So glad you're enjoying them so much and can tell a difference in your skin!!

Hi, I've just found this thread and I'm so interested! I have a question though (this might sound VERY stupid )-- would blanching (putting in boiling water for a couple of seconds) the greens take away the nutrients? I'm always so paranoid about bateria and parasites and all that... does anyone have any recommendations on what to do if it not a good idea?