In my last post I talked about my recent transition to a cruelty-free, plant-based diet – this includes my goal to start each day with an alkalizing, energy-filled, green juice or smoothie.
I’m happy to say that I have successfully completed this goal all week. But how does this self-professed snooze-pusher do it? A simple trick I like to call – utilize the time when you have it (AKA plan ahead).
Try as I might, I simply cannot force myself to be a morning person. Once I am up, I enjoy it. In fact, I love the feeling of starting my day early. It’s the whole untangling myself from my warm cocoon part that I can’t seem to get over.
After hitting the snooze button a minimum of 5 times, I hop up and rush around to get out the door and on the road. Obviously, I am not putting myself in the ideal situation to reach my green smoothie/juice goal, right? Wrong. It’s all about the night before.
You see, what I am is a night owl through-and-through. So while I’m burning the midnight oil, I take the time to prep my breakfast and lunch. All it takes is 5-10 minutes and it’s totally worth it.
So despite my failed attempts to get up with time to spare, I can still reach my “wake up and drink your greens” goal because a little something is waiting patiently for me in the refrigerator each morning.
Yep, there’s my blender filled to the brim with vegetables! In the morning, I simply pour in some coconut water, add a hunk of frozen banana, and toss in a few frozen pineapple chunks. Blend, pour in a huge to-go cup, and I’m out the door.
Energizing Green Smoothie
- 3-4 C. of greens (mix it up for best results – this had kale, spinach, and arugula)
- 1/2 a cucumber (peeled if not organic)
- 3 celery stalks
- bunch of parsley
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 4 frozen pineapple chunks
- 1/2-1 C. coconut water (enough to get everything moving)
- juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 1 T. ground flaxseed
The lemon and parsley seem like an odd combination with the banana and pineapple – but for some reason, it always results in a super refreshing, delicious smoothie!
Parsley and lemon are said to cleanse the liver while flaxseeds provide healthy omega-3s. The coconut water adds hydrating potassium and electrolytes while the greens offer a myriad of phytonutrients. Basically, it’s a super breakfast sipped through a straw.
While this is my current favorite AM drink, I’m eager to try out new combinations! That shouldn’t be too hard since Adam surprised me with this awesome green smoothie book for Christmas. He knows me so well!
And to really complete my morning routine, I can grab a few of these cookies on my way out the door.
I’m kidding. But I did say that cookies have a firm place in my plant-based diet, right? I really wasn’t joking about that. These are clearly not plant-based and they’re certainly not healthy on any level. But if I need a sweet treat, I feel comfortable choosing Newman’s Own products. I made that choice last night.
Fact: sometimes nature’s candy just doesn’t cut it.
A super green vegetable smoothie + packaged crème filled cookies – how’s that for balance?
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