I’m participating in the Dauntless Diva’s 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge. It’s not significantly different from what I’ve been doing, although it has altered my focus from primarily green juice to green smoothies. So far, I have mostly been consuming a very simple spinach-banana-water smoothie recipe. There isn’t a specific reason for this, except that it’s easy and tastes good…and I’m trying to reign in my extravagant Wegmans escapades.
Today, Petra told me about a great green smoothie she’s made–spinach, orange, banana, and hemp protein. This encouraged me to branch out a little from my boring spinach and banana.
Here’s what I put together:
pineapple (probably about 2 cups)
spinach (two huge handfuls)
frozen banana
coconut milk (about a cup or so)
Blend! It made a lot—so you could cut it down if you don’t want leftovers. I ended up with two full glasses of it, which I drank all of even though I intended to store half in the fridge for tomorrow!
Not only was this smoothie beautiful, but it was delicious. I can honestly say I would prefer this drink over a Shamrock Shake—and if you know how I feel about Shamrock Shakes, this is a big deal!
A side note: I don’t use coconut milk from cans—I use the So Delicious brand, and although it is somewhat processed I still think it’s better than dairy! However, I tried to give it to Matthew and he thought it was disgusting. I love it on and in things, but not so much by itself.
That smoothie looks good! I have been having a smoothie once at 7am, and again at noon, then a reg. dinner. I have lost 6 pounds in 3 weeks.
people you can’t put ice cream in either! get movin people, make it happen!
Hi Tom,
Smoothies are great! You’re right though—it is easy to crank up the calorie-count when you add things like ice cream (not that I like to count calories…but when you’re eating things like ice cream, calories do matter!). I like to keep it simple—and it’s surprising how good a smoothie with greens in it can taste!
Thanks for visiting—I’m going to post a couple more smoothie recipes soon.
Lisa
I’m enjoying your blog/twitter! Just returned from a food and alcohol filled 10 days in Fla. and am starting my “new year/new me/cleanse/detox” today. My question to you (and myself) is what program to follow? I pulled out my library of good intentions last night and now just need to pick one so I don’t end up not following through. I narrowed it down to the ones that I really believe in…Dr. Mark Hyman’s Ultra Metabolism
Natalia Rose’s Raw Food Detox
Dr. Ian Smiths 4 Day Diet
I didnt buy a Vitamix yet. Should I? Or can I just use my juicer?
I have always done bits and pieces of these along with tips from Bethanny’s Skinny Girl(because you can drink. LOL) and Kimberly Snyder. And I look and feel “OK” for pushing 50,but I know I can kick it into high gear now and am ready to challenge myself instead of just coasting.
I am posting here instead of emailing you thinking that some of your readers may be having the same dilema in finding what works for them.
THANKS! and say hello to Matthew
Hi Lisa B,
I think you’re right that a lot of people get stuck on just deciding what path to take. I read something once about how Americans have a tendency not to focus on anything—we just try things and never pick something to master. We give up, change our minds, or lose our determination (and go back on autopilot) before we master whatever we’re working on. I think this applies to lifestyle in a big way.
I like all those people/books you mentioned, and the truth is that any of them would “work.” There are two “catches.” First, if you hold yourself too rigidly to a plan (and then also expect yourself to be in the world with other people), you’re likely to not stick with it—start gung ho all at once, and quit the same way! Second, if you try to just navigate through choices with all the info from the books that you like swimming around in your head, there is way too much room for negotiation–and this most likely results in not sticking to anything.
I think having a plan is the most important part—and putting it in writing. Once you have the plan, you have something to be consistent about (and when you’re consistent, you can afford small departures from it). The next important factor is determination/committment. If you don’t have this, nothing will ever change!
If we always focus on what we should be doing (and beat ourselves for not doing it), like it’s a chore to be healthy, then it really is a chore and a fight. All the plans you mentioned can actually be enjoyable and fun—what if you got really excited about it, instead of feeling like it’s a restriction?
I’ve always liked Natalia’s approach. It makes a lot of sense to me (and I think she drinks wine sometimes!). At the same time, it would require you to not “fit in” with a lot of people. When you’ve spent your life going with the flow, it’s somewhat daunting to all of sudden be different or have different needs that other people won’t understand. I can say from experience that even though I can’t always do it, there is something really great about just telling people, “Oh, I don’t eat that.” It’s about you and doing what’s right for you–people might question it and put you down initially, but that truly is their own issues coming out.
So, all that to say…
Pick whichever plan feels the best to you, and then get excited about it, do all the planning and preparation you need to do to set yourself up for success…and then even possibly try and get someone else to do it with you (someone who will be encouraging, not who will talk you out of it).
When a day comes up that you don’t feel like eating what’s on your menu, or going in the gym to do what you’ve scheduled….acknowledge that you don’t feel like it, and then do it anyway! Or call me for a pep talk 🙂
My personal opinion is that a combination of Natalia and Ultrametabolism seem like the most realistic in the long run. I have the Ultrametabolism cookbook and it’s really good!
Let me know how it goes…
Lisa B
Oh, and on the vitamix….
I LOVE mine…but it isn’t essential. Raw foodies will tell you it is, and it’s a definite benefit/convenience, but juice is great too!
Glad to have you onboard! Your smoothies look quite delicious… I discovered Pineapple GS’s from a few folks in the Challenge, as well, and now I’m quite hooked. Better than any Vodka cocktail I ever made before going Raw/Living Vegan. 😉
**Lisa: A simple, fun approach to a “skinny diet” is Alissa Cohen’s LIVING ON LIVE FOOD. I’m definitely staying slim (and lusciously healthy) by simply following Alissa’s credo, which is: “Listen to your body.”
Some days, I want nothing but bananas and Green Smoothies… other days, I stuff my face with Cacao bars and Spanish Scramble. I even make living pizza and icecream. 😉
Wishing you the best on your journeys,
The Diva
Thanks for the feedback! I am going to listen to my body as Dauntless said and basically take it day by day with a combination of Ultra Metabolism and Raw Detox. Im also using my far infared sauna almost every day. I am going to try to get in at least one green juice in every day too. Had Ezekiel cereal w/ almond milk for b’fast, green juice mid morning and “ultra broth” for lunch. Out to dinner with friends tonite, thats where the trouble starts…LOL Just will do salad and fish and one glass of wine or a “skinny girl” cocktail with lots of club soda.
It’s so hard when everyone is having one martini after another, but I am definately at the point where I realize its not worth it. Thankfully its not Patron and Fresca weather!
Ahhhh…I wish it was patron and fresca weather!!
I agree—the “listen to your body” advice is important. I’m going to try it too…..right after I go to a yoga and wine tasting workshop tonight!
I love Yoga…!!! and I used to LOVE wine, too, however it gives me raging migraines now. I substitute Kombucha tea and tend to bring my own food to social events… that way I’m not missing out on all the fun! I usually end up bringing 3x’s more than I’ll eat because I now have friends who always insist on eating half my food. 😉
Hi Diva,
I recently took kombucha with me to a party, and that was helpful, but I haven’t taken my own food yet. That’s a great idea though—I think it would spur some interesting conversation and questions!
Oh it will… it does. 😀 It can be really fun, as long as you’re totally confident in what you bring. Your confidence spills over to the others who may be stuffing their faces with SAD while you’re stuffin’ your face with RAW. 😉 If they sense that you’re confident about your dietary choices, attacks wane and antagonism seems to vanish, replaced by genuine questions!
Rawk it!
~ The Diva
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