Smoothies & Juices

Sweet Kale

Hello Friends! I’ve been  away on a few getaways over the last few weeks and as a result I have been taking a break from dishing in the kitchen and on the blog – not to mention a whole list of other things to boot! With the summer ending, I enjoy taking the time to recharge and enjoy what’s left of the warm weather – soaking up the last summer rays. Now that September is here, I am feeling refreshed and ready to get back into a routine. Time to be inspired. 🙂

As the summer season is winding down, I am diligently trying to prolong my fruitful garden for as long as I can. For those trying to find your inner green thumb, I highly suggest you plant some kale next year. Its low maintenance and easy growth will fill you with pride and delight as you harvest bags of kale each week. It has honestly supplied our home with loads of gorgeous greens throughout the summer months and I’m overjoyed when I think of the cost savings, carbon footprint and health benefits that come in hand with growing your own goods.

With kale on the mind, here is another combination for you all to try.

Blend 1 cup strawberries, 1-2 cups of watermelon, 1-2 cups water, some mint and a bunch of kale. (yields 4 servings) Don’t be afraid to add more water if necessary to reach the desired consistency, this will vary from blender to blender.

Hope you enjoy these sweet greens!

Sweet Kale

Peace Love Kale. xx

Beet-Melonade

Last summer I was obsessed with all things watermelon and lime and this summer I am finding my fancy with the blend of watermelon and lemon – yumm so refreshing… After trying YamChops cold-pressed watermelon and lemon juice, I knew I had to start making this one at home; that $9.50 a pop is only justifiable as a treat. Instantly inspired to make my own, I was ready to do just that. Then came my ah-ha moment while harvesting beets from the garden. I thought why not add a few of these red beauties to  pump up the nutrient value for this sweet juice (see their benefits here).

And that is how Beet-Melonade was born. To my anti-beet followers, trust me when I say – you won’t even recognize the beets in this one. Deliciously sweet with a subtle sour tang, this juice is by far my favourite combo this summer and best served cold. Give it a whirl and let me know your thoughts!

Beet-Melonade

Juice or blend half of a watermelon, 1 lemon (I juice with rind) and 4-5 small-medium beets.

Beet-Melonade

Pucker Up. xx

Green Melon

Oh Kale Yeah – my beautiful greens have been growing like crazy this summer which has been amazing! Kale everything – salads, juice, smoothies, you name it. In my opinion, you can always add a little extra green to any dish.

I recently saw this recipe floating around and I just had to try it and then I had to share it. Of course, the brilliant Angela Liddon from Oh She Glows can take all the credit for this one. As she puts it, “it’s like a party in your glass” energizing and refreshing. The combination of watermelon and lime helps beat the heat on these warmer days. It’s safe to say that once you add a touch of sparkling water, it can basically be categorized as part of the mojito family. 😉

Ingredients

The great thing about this combination and it’s ingredients, is you really can work with whatever quantity you have on hand and it’ll still be super delicious- it’s kind of a no-fail. For my batch I blended together the following –

Juice of 3 limes, handful of mint, 1 apple, 1-2 cups watermelon, half an avocado, 4 leaves of kale and 4 ice cubes. (yields 2-3 servings)

There you have it, another green belly, another day done – Enjoy my friends.

IMG_5194Oh Kale Yeah! xx

Citrus Sunrise

If our daily sunrise doesn’t get your energy flowing or you don’t quite get the chance to enjoy nature’s wonder in the early AM, skip the java and awaken your senses with this delightful treat. This bright and punchy combination will give you the welcomed perk that we often need first thing in the morning. Major bonus if you are a morning person and can enjoy this sunrise with the sunrise. ❤

I will always 100% opt for grapefruit juice over orange juice to get my daily dose of vitamin C,  but sometimes find that it can be a bit tough on  my taste buds and tum, that I choose not to enjoy it every day. The combination of carrot, golden beets, and mango offer up a sweet finish that balances the tart flavour of the grapefruit, which provides a great alternative to your regular pure grapefruit juice.

This juice is loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals to help cleanse the body, support your immune, fight the formation of free radicals, increase energy and aid in hydration. Sounds  like a good way to start the day, doesn’t it?

Citrus Sunrise

Juice 2 mangoes, 4 small golden beets, 2 carrots and 2 grapefruits. (yields 2 servings)

Citrus Sunrise

Enjoy the Sunrise. xx

Green Citrus Juice

Just looking at this juice makes me feel healthier. This fresh zingy juice is bursting with vitamins and minerals and will certainly awaken your taste buds.

green juiceI’ll break it down for you on why kale, pear, cucumber, lemon and basil make such a killer combo.

ingredients1 bunch of kale, 2 cucumbers, 2 pears, 2 lemons, 1 bunch of basil

Adding kale to anything instantly affirms high nutritional value. It is one of the most nutritious greens filled with vitamins A, B6, K, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. It is a must add in the majority of my green concoctions.

Pears are rich in natural fruit sugars and offer enough sweetness without being overpowering, while also acting as natural diuretic. They are a great alternative to apples and a great source of fiber, vitamin B2, C, E, copper, and potassium.

Cucumbers add a refreshing element to any juice along with the benefits of conventional antioxidants, electrolytes, vitamin B, C, K, maganese, and flavonoids. I like to add them to my smoothies too, to up the water content.

Lemons add a sharp boost, loads of vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and pectin fiber. All of which help with stimulating the digestive system and flushing out toxins.

Basil is one of my favourite inflammation reducing herbs. It protects the brain, liver, and heart from free radical damage and also keeps things interesting flavour wise. Don’t be shy and experiment with other herbs as well, my go to’s are basil, parsley, mint and cilantro. You will be surprised how delicious adding herbs can be.

There you have it; one delicious juice, five simple ingredients, and multiple benefits. What are you waiting for, get juicing! 🙂

citrus green

Happy Green. xx