If trying to make a change in your health, start with just adding a green juice or smoothie, changing absolutely nothing else, and you will feel and see a difference. Soon, you’ll notice yourself naturally opening up to other changes – perhaps completely replacing breakfast with a green smoothie, opting for a salad lunch or saying buh-bye to caffeine for good.

Despite my love for green juice, I sometimes have a green smoothie when I’m especially hungry in the morning and am looking for some fiber, versus a simple and immediate flush of vitamins, minerals and enzymes that a juice zaps into my body. A green smoothie is packed with fiber, so it works the digestive system and improves regularity. It also releases sugars slower into the blood stream, so it doesn’t overpower your blood sugar levels the way I juice could if it had too much fruit in it. So FYI, when making a juice, keep the fruit element limited to 1 apple; in fact, a lemon and some drops of stevia are enough to make it delicious. For a smoothie, there is less of a worry with blood sugar levels spiking, but still keep the fruit content in mind – the lowest sugar fruits are green apple, berries, and grapefruit and if using a banana make sure it is brown and spotty (but not on the inside), as the spotty ones are the easiest to digest and are the tastiest!

The recipe is simple and should change depending on your likes. The formula is something like this:

• 1 large handful of green leaves (or 5-6 stems)
• 1-2 servings fruit
• 1 cup water
• 5 drops stevia

Now, that’s as basic as the recipe gets, but you can add spices, other herbs, and supplements to the mix. I love added cinnamon, turmeric, or a dash of cayenne and will even throw in a nob of ginger. For some fat, you could add 1/2 an avocado or 1 tbsp of flax seed oil. Some people like to throw in things they normally couldn’t stomach alone, like a tablespoon of aloe or protein powder. It’s really up to you to experiment and find out what works. If avoiding fruit all together, play with fresh young Thai coconuts – the flesh and juice mixed with greens is like island  heaven!

Okay, enough talking and down to business. This recipe is a delightful and light take on the morning smoothie, incorporating cleansing elements such as kale, ginger, cayenne and turmeric. Enjoy!

Serve in a tall glass and enjoy!

Bon Appetit!

xo Aylin

and…

I’m curious…

Do you make green juices or smoothies?

Which do you prefer?

If not, would you try them?