As I try to incorporate green smoothies into my diet, I realize just like everyone else, that we all have great intentions of taking action towards health.  However, old habits still creep in and pulls us away from the new habits that we are trying to establish as I take on the 21-Day Smoothie Challenge.  Though I have incorporated green smoothies into my diet, I find that once in a while, I crave eating some real solid foods like bread or rice.  However, by taking on the green smoothie challenge, I have incorporated fresh greens and fruits in my diet at least 3-5 times a week now that I would not have done before the green smoothie challenge.  On days that I drink my green smoothie, I feel so much lighter and more energize and I think having green smoothies also help me cleanse my system too.  I can relax a little bit about not gaining weight since the green smoothie meals days help offset the days that I enjoy my pasta, bread or rice meals.  I really like that it's so easy to make and I can drink any leftover for dinner if I want to skip a heavy meal.  Did you know that it's best to stop eating after 7pm to help your body do other healing work while you're sleeping instead of trying to digest the food you just ate before gonig to bed?

If you'd like to check it out, we have some recipes on our website.  Another great website to look into for more recipes and just more information about green smoothies, go to www.greensmoothiechallenge.com.

Here's one recipe that you can do in the morning that I put together...

One Banana
1 cup almond milk
1 cup filtered water
1 cup fresh berries that is in season
4 romaine lettuce leaves
3-4 carrots
1 tsp  ground flax seeds if you like
Optional: 1 tbsp honey or any protein powder that you enjoy

Blend everything and enjoy.  The longer it sits, it gets thicker because the veggies and fruits absorb water and that's why they are great for your digestion.  If it's too thick, just add more water to get the consistency you want.  Feel free to experiment.

Celery Avocado Stuffing | Raw Food Recipe from www.rawglow.com


Ingredients 2 large ripe avocados
1 small bunch parsley
5-6 ribs celery
1 bunch Lacinto kale
2-3 cloves crushed garlic (optional)

Mash avocados in a medium bowl. Chop parsley and dice celery ribs into very small cubes. Add parsley and celery to mashed avocados. You can also add 2-3 cloves of garlic crushed by a garlic press for a spicier taste. Top stuffing with Dulse seaweed flakes if desired. Spread mixture onto Lacinto kale leaves and eat like a wrap or taco. Another option is to stuff bell peppers with mixture or simply add a scoop onto a bowl of mixed greens for a filling salad.

*Variation: Substitute the parsley for cilantro and add the juice of one lime for a south of the border flavor.


For more easy raw food recipes you might want to check out Cecilia's raw food recipe ebooks in her online raw foods store.

Hello!  Thanks for visiting our wellness blog.  We are inviting our customers, family and friends to join us in the 21-Day Green Smoothie Challenge.  You can start anytime towards better health.  My first exposure to green smoothie was through a Raw Food Expo in Sebastopol, California 9 months ago.  After incorporating green smoothie in my diet and seeing the difference it has made, I wanted to encourage others to try it out. We are not selling any books or subscription but wanted to invite everyone to incorporate green smoothie in their daily diet as a relatively easy way to include fresh raw fruits and vegetables!  We are not health or nutrition experts but one thing for certain, when it comes to my body and my health, I want to be the expert.  As I start to make green smoothie a regular part of my diet, I started to experiment by adding other things to my smoothie making them healthier such as flaxseed oil, chia seeds, mangosteen or goji juice, ground flaxseeds, etc.  Experiment and see what you like or don't like and try to use a different kind of greens or fruits every few days.

Studies show that for change to take place and become permanent, certain things must happen first.  Just as you would prepare for a journey, you also should prepare your mind by deciding that you want to change to be healthier.  People change to either avoid "pain" or gain "pleasure" with avoiding pain being a stronger motivator.  You need to first write down for yourself the 2 most important reasons why you want to take on the Green Smoothie Challenge (both positive and negative reasons).  A positive reason will be to have more energy and be able to spend more time with my kids.  A negative reason will be if I don't change, I will continue to feel worse and my family will suffer. The more emotion you attach to the reason that you MUST NOT SHOULD change, the more you will be motivated and your brain will get "re-wired" to follow through with your resolve. Next, implement a plan of action immediately.  Buy your fresh organic  fruits (frozen organic is also okay) and fresh vegetables (lettuce, spinach, carrots, kale, etc).  Make your green smoothie within 24-48 hours.  Third step is to AFFIRM DAILY the end result you want and VISUALIZE it as if you are already experiencing it (picture yourself full of energy, glowing with vitality, etc) and involve as many senses as possible (imagine that you can feel, see, hear, smell).  For any behavior to become a habit, you must continue doing the behavior for a minimum of 21 days.  Look for support.  Let us know how you are doing.  Check out other internet green smoothie blogs.  I am so grateful to so many different individuals and their websites that have provided the information that is included in this blog and have helped me personally in my own green smoothie journey to better health.  We strongly suggest that you google other websites by simply  entering "green smoothie challenge".  We will post every 2 days an update to the green smoothie challenge and slowly add simple and easy healthy habits every 2-3 days into your daily routine.  Track your progress as an added motivation! Celebrate!

For more information on green smoothie and how to make your first one, click the link to Anand's Green Smoothie Challenge and make your first smoothie. http://www.greensmoothiechallenge.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=5

The other thing that we suggest is to start educating yourself about the health benefits of green smoothie and raw food to further enahnce your motivation.  There are also other health tips in this blog or on our tweets that is easy to include in your daily routine such as practicing deep breathing 10 times 4 times a day, including fresh lemon juice or cucumber in your fresh water to alkalize your body, drink at least 8 ounces of water every day, go out with a friend, your kid or spouse and enjoy fresh air and get some sun!  Blog your goals so we can see how you are doing.

Finally, if you are totally new to the concept of raw food or green smoothies, be kind to yourself and don't beat yourself if you fall off the bandwagon.  Find out why and see if you can change it. Remind yourself why you wanted to do it in the first place to avoid all the negative things not doing it will bring. We recommend that you consume the smoothie as soon as you make it but if you can't finish it, drink it with your lunch or snack.  Have fun with it and check out our website in a couple of days for another tip.

5 Tips to Stay Healthy During the Holidays

1.  Change your attitude and perception of the holidays! Holidays are meant for sharing family traditions with loved ones and friends and not get stressed out over "enough gifts" or "good gifts" shopping.  It's remembering the true meaning of the Thanksgiving and Christmas and spending fun and grateful times with family & friends.

2.  Meditate or say your prayers when you start your day. Perfect way to anchor or center you and you'll find that you are calmer the rest of the day!

3.  Jump in a mini-trampoline or rebounder and get your body moving! Turn on your favorite radio station or listen to your favorite music while jumping.  For benefits of rebounding, go to our post on the benefits of rebounding! Start with a few minutes a day. No need for vigorous jumping to get the benefits. Start easy and have fun!

4.  Eat smaller and more frequent snacks.  Learn one raw food recipe and prepare it for the holiday or prepare a green smoothie to enjoy either before the meal or as a 'dessert' afterwards or a snack.

5. . Start drinking a healthy green smoothie to ensure that you are taking enough fruits and vegetables everyday. For more information on green smoothie recipes, for a great website for green smoothie info, click here. It's a delicious way to get energy.  I add Omega Oils 3-6-9 such as Udo's Oil or Barleans' Flaxseed Oil, probiotic,  and "greens" powder to the smoothie for more benefits!  You can either use Almond Milk or just filtered water for liquid and squeeze some fresh lemon in the mix too! Experiment and enjoy.

This is not intended to treat or diagnose any illness.  Consult a health professional before starting a new diet or exercise.