When I first started really getting into reading healthy living blogs a couple of years ago, I noticed that everyone was talking about green smoothies. Every time I would see a picture of a ”green monster” drink, all I could think was, Drinking spinach? ICK!
Here and there I’ve tried a green juice, but I’ve never been crazy about them. Actually, I don’t think I ever allowed myself to like them because I was so turned off by the color. I’m a big smoothie person, and I like brightly colored, pretty drinks — not ones that are a nasty green color. But recently, I’ve been more and more curious about juicing. After trying BluePrint juices recently, I knew that I could start to overlook the unappealing visual of a green juice a bit, and focus more on the taste. I think the idea of getting all of these awesome vitamins and antioxidants in one little cup is what’s driving me to overcome this distaste. Yes, I’m a vegetarian who eats a ton of produce, but the truth is, I like fruit more than veggies. I crave fruit all the time. Veggies on the other hand? I could go a day without em and not miss them. While I don’t do this, and I make sure to eat a salad most days and always have veggies included in my dinner, I think I could use some extra veggie power and vitamins.
Enter my new Jack LaLanne juicer:
Well… new in the sense that it just arrived at my doorstep a few days ago. Not new in the sense that it had been sitting in my parents’ garage for a few years now. I remember when my dad got the juicer and my mom was mad, saying that they’d never use it and it would just take up space. And you know what? She was right. This thing is huge and takes up about half of my counter space. She also must have known what a biatch this thing is to clean, but clean it I will — because I am now a juicin’ woman!
Yesterday was my first juicing experiment. This is what I came up with:
Focusing on the taste and not its unattractive color, I actually liked my first homemade green juice! What everyone has always told me rang true — the sweet fruit completely overpowered the taste of kale. It’s amazing how all of this….
…makes not even a cup of juice. It’s kind of a good thing though, because it makes a nice little cup to have as a snack, small breakfast, or as part of a meal. What I love is that according to MyFitnessPal, this juice provides me with 322% of my daily recommendation of Vitamin A, 394% of Vitamin C, 20% of calcium and 14% of iron, not to mention 7 g of dietary fiber. Sweet right!
I plan to make one green juice daily, and I’m sure I’ll get more adventurous the more I make them. There are so many options of things to throw into the mix, so who knows what I’ll come up with. This morning’s juice included mango chunks, kale, a tangerine and a large carrot. Not too shabby! Here’s yesterday’s juice recipe:
Minty Strawberry Kale & Tangerine Juice
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups chopped kale stems and tough ribs removed
- 1 medium tangerine
- 1 cup strawberries
- 2 TBSP fresh mint leaves
- Ice
Instructions
- Combine the first 4 ingredients in a juicer.
- Pour into a glass and drink it on the rocks.
Looks very interesting, but don’t know if I can get past the kale. The rest I am all for and would even try!!. Thanks for sharing and congrats on your SITS Day. Following you on Twitter now!!
Followed you back!
I know, I hear you on the kale. I just keep thinking VITAMINS! VITAMINS! Ha. I’m about to go make another green juice now, thanks for stopping by!
I have done green smoothies before, but with more fruits so that it isn’t green. I struggle with the color, too, so I haven’t been brave enough to drink it if it looks like spinach, regardless if it tastes like something else all together. 🙂 I do, however, know that what you say is true: you can’t taste the greens. So wild! Anyway, best of luck to you!
Happy SITS Day, and I hope it is an amazing one for you! 😀
So I’m not the only one then?!
Thanks so much Julie!
This looks like something to try! I love smoothies, but haven’t ventured and purchased one of those awesome juicing machines….
You should! If you have a Whole Foods near you, they sell some tasty juices to try out. Getting a juicer can be pricey (hence why I stole mine from my parents’ garage 2,500 miles away!), but worth it if you’ll use it!
Your recipe sounds great! I need to try it.
Happy SITS day! 🙂 My blogging partner and I are dying to try a juice fast, so I am saving this recipe!
Very cool! Juice cleanses seem to be everywhere these days. I’m not sure I could do it for more than a few days – I love eating too much! It’s definitely a mind over matter thing though. Good luck with the fast!
Stopping by from SITS!
I’ve been wanting to try a nice green juice and I love this recipe!
Thanks for posting and enjoy the rest of your week. 🙂
Thanks so much, you too!!
Happy SITS Day! Enjoy the limelight!
Thanks Eva, I am so enjoying it!
Happy SITS Day!
I found that as long as I had fruit in with my green stuff, I could drink green smoothies no problem. Or peanut butter smoothies, mmmm! Just toss in some spinach or romaine, but you only taste the PB!
That’s a great idea! I <3 peanut butter!
I LOVE green monsters! I thought it was weird too when I first tried them but they are a regular part of my diet now. And yes, don’t focus on the color!
I’m trying not to haha. I can’t say I love them yet… but I’m getting there!
I love juicing, and making smoothies. I think I enjoy smoothies more, my favorite is: almond milk, banana, and spinach.
I hear you, I definitely enjoy smoothies more! My favorite is a chocolate peanut butter protein shake with banana and chocolate almond or soy milk.