A green smoothie!

Most of us don’t eat enough green vegetables daily.

Dark, leafy greens are essential to a healthy body and strong immune system.

Leafy greens are great sources of:

• Anti-inflammatory agents, including beta-carotene, vitamin C, and flavonoids like quercetin

• Fiber, which feeds our good gut bacteria

• Iron for production of hemoglobin in our red blood cells

Plus, when we nourish our bodies with greens, our bellies feel fuller and we tend to eat fewer of the foods that make us sick.

Along with leafy greens, this smoothie is packed with additional sources of Vitamin C, which help boost the body’s absorption of iron.

Carlos and I are also proponents of ginger for its natural therapeutic properties. We incorporate it into our family’s diet daily, often in smoothies like this one.

I recommend using a high-powered blender like a Vitamix to make this smoothie, or it will be chunky. Our Vitamix is almost 8 years old, and I use it 2-3 times a day!

2-3 big kale leaves, including stalks

1 cup packed fresh spinach leaves

½ stalk of celery

½ cup parsley, including stems

1 cup frozen peaches, pineapple, or mango

fresh ginger- I use a lot!

Juice from 1 lemon (don’t skip this as it helps cut the bitterness of the greens!)

4 oz coconut water (for electrolytes and a little sweetness)

A cup of ice

4-8 oz filtered water to reach desired consistency

Blend!

Recipe adapted from Dr. Chutkan’s Gut Bliss