Written By: Troy Bernardo
Yes, they’re called green for a reason, so it isn’t just about throwing in fruits and ice in a blender.
In fact, you can ditch the ice, and throw in more vegetables instead: an okra, a flower of broccoli, a few slices of cucumber, and half a carrot. Blend all that with any fistful, even a mix, of greens: alugbati (Malabar spinach), basil, red leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, saluyot (jute leaves), spinach, talbos ng kamote (sweet potato leaves), and whatever local edible green there is. Use whatever fruit is in season as a base, or a combination of, depending on your taste; and, to sweeten, or to correct an overpowering taste, just add a banana.
Instead of chewing away at my daily recommended serving of fruits and veggies, I drink it; and, I do so in the morning, after doing yoga or working out in a fasted state. That’s every single day.
First, they’re easy to prepare. Just store all the fruits in the freezer, thus no need for ice, already chopped, so you just keep throwing whatever it is you feel like having that day in a blender. If you had too much pizza the day before, use a pineapple. If you feel dehydrated, grab some watermelon. If your skin needs some extra TLC, get a papaya. You’ll have to connect with our body, listen in on what it needs.
Second, they’re packed with fiber. Drinking a green smoothie on an empty stomach literally flushes your digestive system with nutrients that the body absorbs, while raking out the bad stuff that’s left in your intestines. Soluble fiber in greens also feed the good bacteria in your gut, allowing them to flourish, reducing inflammation brought about by refined carbohydrates, which is basically, so it’s easy to remember, anything white: bread, flour, pasta, rice and sugar.
Insoluble fiber in greens, on the other hand, add bulk to your poop. So, if you’ve trained your body enough by having green smoothies as your first meal; eventually, your body will learn how to absorb what it needs and reject what it doesn’t. This doesn’t mean that you can down a bag of chips every day; but that you can have the occasional bag, knowing that you’ll flush it out of your system the next day. Occasional.
Lastly, green smoothies are so incredibly good for you that you can’t live without them. Their living elixirs that bring in all sorts of benefits, internal and external.
Internally, they help boost immunity; lower cholesterol and glucose levels; promote faster healing; provide essential antioxidants, minerals, nutrients, and vitamins; reduce inflammation; regulate our body’s cleansing processes, and other such benefits.
Externally, to name a few, they help keep ageing at bay, hydrating the body, reducing wrinkles, rejuvenating our muscles, clearing and smoothening skin.
Overall, they keep us in a better mental, emotional and physical state, helping relieve even symptoms of depression.
Given all that, well, bottom’s up!