What Is a Green Smoothie and Why Is It So Healthy?

Green smoothies are becoming quite popular in the natural health circles and there is good reason why.
They are packed with raw food vitamins, nutrients and minerals that will help you tremendously with your energy, weight, cleansing and your overall health and well-being.
 They are also very easy to make. You don't need a juicer, only a common blender. Let's explore this subject some more...

What is a green smoothie? A green smoothie consists of at least 3 types of ingredients - green leafy vegetables, fruit and water. You can add a variety of things to it, but this is the basic. My favorite would consist of organic kale, banana, mango, strawberry and water.
 I sometimes throw in some raw almonds for added protein and flax seed oil for good omega oils, but the basic recipe is just packed with nutrients.

You can change the fruit to local and seasonal. Blackberries, peaches, blueberries, kiwi, whatever you like...just don't put too many in or it makes it too sweet.

You can also use a variety of leafy green vegetables, various kale, spinach, lettuce, parsley, etc. It is essential that the green vegetable is the main ingredient...the fruit is the sweetener mainly although it has nutritional qualities as well. The added water makes it into a smoothie. Don't use juice.

 Organic vegetables and fruit are the best for you of course, at least go natural...frozen fruit works fine. Filtered water is preferred. Yet any type of raw food smoothie is better than none at all! You should experiment to find your favorite taste. There are many recipes out there for beginners.

Why is it so healthy? First of all you are eating raw food, which is packed with vitamins, minerals and other powerful nutrients.
 Non-cooked "raw foods" are the best for us nutritionally, but it is difficult for most of us to munch on raw kale. So the green "raw food" smoothie adds fruit and makes it into a powerful drink. Drinking 3-4 cups a day can change your life! Drink a quart of day if possible, but any amount is beneficial.

Green smoothies are excellent natural body cleansers, packed with natural vitamins and nutrients, a great dieting tool, and helps you start your day in a positive fashion (although they are tasty and helpful any time of day) Try one before or after your workout. They are so light on the digestive system that I can usually work out 30 minutes after I drink one.

What are you waiting for? It's so easy to try. Get your blender out (or buy an affordable one), get some kale, some fruit and you are ready to go! Find your own recipe and style. Try it for a week or two and see how you feel...I guarantee it will make you feel great!

Need some more help? There are some great books on the benefits of Green Smoothies, which include recipes. I recommend The Green Smoothie Revolution for a great start.
I hope this was helpful! Please visit my website for more information on Natural Health, Cleansing and Well-Being www.TransformingOurselves.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Heater

Green Smoothie FAQs - Discover The Healthy World Of Raw Food Green Smoothies

Green smoothies can very well be considered nature's fast food...
They are really quick to make, are very nutritious, and are easily assimilated by the body. In essence, the pre-digested, raw state of the greens allow the nutrients to be easily absorbed by the body.
Let's get into some common green smoothie questions...

How to make a healthy green smoothie
How to make them 'healthy'? Simple, use healthy organic ingredients and the resultant smoothie can't help but be healthy.
A common recommendation is to keep the smoothies simple and not go overboard with too many ingredients. Your body will be better equipped to digest and assimilate the food when less ingredients are present.
Kale is considered the most nutrient dense green. For the fruit, any kind of berry is good. They are low glycemic and loaded with anti-oxidants.

Can I use blueberries for green smoothies?
Of course! I feel berries are the best choice when selecting fruits for your green smoothies. As mentioned in the answer to the previous question, berries are low glycemic so they do not affect the blood sugar as much which is important to some individuals.

Best equipment for making green smoothies?
All you really need is a blender. Blenders with pre-programmed smoothie blenders are usually best but even a cheap blender on high speed can do the trick.
As for cups for your smoothies.. I use 1 liter and 500 ml wide-mouth mason jars. They are easy to clean and BPA free because they are glass, plus they hold a lot.

Is it a good idea to use two or more green leafy veg in a smoothie?
Sure, why not. I never use more than 2 because I try to keep the number of ingredients down but it doesn't hurt. Mixing kale and spinach with perhaps some hemp (and of course water and fruit) makes a great post-workout smoothie.

Do I need to add water to my green smoothie?
You probably don't have to add water but I always do. Some liquid is necessary to allow the smoothie to blend properly in the blender. You can use 100% orange juice or another type of juice. Adding the liquid first usually helps the blending process and prevents the solid food from becoming stuck in the blades.

How often should I have a green smoothie?
Well.. have green smoothies as often as you like. They can be consumed for any meal of the day. It is suggested by some authors that smoothies, when choosing the right ingredients, may be all your body needs to survive and thrive.
Smoothies are said to digest with 20 minutes so there should be very little concern for food overlapping and food combining.

How soon should a fruit smoothie be consumed?
Whether a fruit smoothie or green smoothie, it is best when consumed immediately, but when stored in a proper container with a tight fitting lid (like a mason jar) in the fridge, it can keep for 24 hours or more.

Does your body digest smoothies more easily than eating solid fruit?
Yes, smoothies are essentially pre-digested when blended until smooth. This allows the body to digest and assimilate the foods better and provide less nutritional stress on the body.

Do green smoothies destroy raw food enzymes?
If a smoothie is blended to the point where heat is introduced it may destroy enzymes and nutrients in the greens and fruit, and may result in oxidation.
This is of very little concern. Some cheaper blenders may introduce heat early in the blending process, but the mid to upper end blenders generally keep the smoothies cooler.

Your smoothies can probably be blended until smooth within 30 to 60 seconds which should be a safe time frame. If still not blended, wait for the machine to cool than try again
.
Learn more about how green smoothies lend themselves well to a raw food diet. Visit RawFoodHealthWatch.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Bosmier