African American Child-Women: Nutrition Theory Revised

All right (hehe @ Justine Dell),

As advertised, I found a research study conducted by Medha Talpade that investigates early sexual maturation in African American females and connects it to nutrition. 

The first thing I will say is that there are, as with any primary research, some drawbacks to this study. There are moments while I was reading the methods section of the research report that I thought, "Ya know, that seems a bit...fishy." As in, there could be a lot of skewed evidence here based on methodology. So, I will present the research findings but ask you to check it out yourself before you decide that what is presented here is absolute fact. Anyway, I would encourage you to do that in general. In fact, I would encourage you to be cautious to EVER label anything Absolute FACT (except God, who is, indeed, a fact). Still, the information provided at least raises questions and provides evidence that the SAD is pretty awful for human bodies. 

So, what is this study all about? Talpade wanted to find out if nutrition in early life affected sexual maturation. Early sexual maturation is "associated with myriad psychological and behavioral problems" (2). "Increasing research evidence indicates that there are psychiatric risks for girls who enter sexual maturation at an early age" (3). Indeed, the NHANES III found that obesity was linked to psychological and emotional dysfunction. Preliminary findings suggested that today, AA girls eat significantly different than a generation ago and this newer study found that there are significant differences in nutrition between AA girls who mature early and those who do not. 

The study found lower calcium and fiber consumption related to early sexual maturation. 

So, basically, African American children (as well as any child/ren) need to make sure they are getting a great deal of calcium and fiber--especially if being raised raw. While most raw foodists will claim that the raw food lifestyle can provide plenty of essential vitamins and minerals/proteins, it is very important to make sure kids are getting the RIGHT amount they need of the right kinds. Perhaps consider blood tests and perhaps a supplement if you are afraid your kids are not getting the right amount of fiber and calcium!

Here also is more information regarding African American health and nutrition: http://www.faqs.org/nutrition/A-Ap/African-Americans-Diet-of.html

Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy

Of course, only women can carry a baby and give birth to a baby. Therefore, pregnancy is an important topic for ladies' week! Even if you plan to never have a[nother] child, you probably know someone who is thinking about having/going to have/about to have a baby. In Ani Difranco's words, "To split yourself in two is just the most radical thing you can do" AND--if you choose to take that step, you must fight for your baby at all costs--even if it costs you that extra slice of pizza. Its the ultimate feminist movement, to have a baby, and it is the ultimate test of female strength! Kudos to all women who have taken this journey!!!

AND, as it turns out, "what you eat before and during your pregnancy," according to Miriam Erick, "could be one of the most important considerations for your health and happiness during those nine months" (xxxii). Erick says that normal pregnancy symptoms can drive a woman absolutely nuts while carrying her baby, such as "Fatigue, morning sickness, constipation, hemorhoids, varicose veins, tooth and gum problems, leg cramps, nosebleeds, skin problems, colds and infections, mild depression, and mood swings..." Even these are only "a few of the NUTRITIONALLY RELATED side effects of pregnancy that might be avoided or at least lessened by proper diet" (xxxii). I hear about these side effects ALL THE TIME from pregnant people. You will probably get one or two, I'm sure, but you can lessen them dramatically (or prevent them) by eating better and making sure you are getting enough vitamins/minerals that your body needs!

First, if you are in your childbearing years, you should consider stocking your body with a few beneficial vitamins: Iron and Folic Acid.

Of iron, you should consume 18mg of iron each day. You should make it even higher if you have heavy periods or use IUD. If you are iron deficient, get MORE IRON! You can get iron in wheat germ, spinach, beet greens, sunflower seeds, mangos, avocados, raisins, almonds, beans.

Of folic acid, get 400mcg daily! This can be the most important vitamin to prevent birth defects! You can get it in spinach, tomato juice, collards, asparagus, wheat germ, beans.

Now, WHILE YOU ARE PREGNANT, you must must must consider your eating habits. Erick's research tells us that despite popular belief, a growing baby gets most of its vitamins from WHAT YOU EAT AS YOU EAT IT! That means every bite you take is a choice for either helping your baby grow and develop, or just stuffing it full of twinky! EEP!

To get the minerals and vitamins you really need, you need to be eating at least eight servings of fresh fruits and vegetables (full of vitamin C such as citrus as well as leafy greens!)! You also need to make sure you are getting plenty of vitamin C.

Calcium Rich Foods:
Bok Choy
Broccoli
Collard Greens
Dandelion Greens
Figs
Mustard Greens
Orange juice
Rice Dream
Turnip Greens

Fantastic Veggies (* high in folic acid):
Asparagus*
Bean Sprouts
Green Beans
Beets
Broccoli*
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Chard*
Collards*
Dandelion Greens*
Eggplant
Kale*
Mustard Greens*
Okra
Pea pods
Green Peas*
Romaine*
Spinach*
Squash
Succotash
Sweet Potato
Tomato
Turnip Greens*
Zucchini

Fabulous Fruits:
Apple
Applesauce
Apricots
Banana
Berries
Cantaloupe
Casaba Melon
Cherries
Grapefruit
Grape
Kiwi
Honeydew Melon
Mandarin Oranges
Mango
Nectarine
Orange
Papaya
Peach
Pear
Pineapple
Plum
Prunes
Tangerine
Watermelon

Erick's Nutrition: 1, 2, 3 table:

1. 2/3 or 3/4 of your plate should be heaped with a variety of whole grains, veggies, and fruits.
2. Include at least one whole grain and two fruits and/or veggies at every meal and one fruit or veggie at each snack.
3. Before you eat, always ask, "Is this good for me and my baby?" If so, eat. If not, find an alternative!

Raw Superfoods (awesome buzzword) for Pregnancy (mostly taken from Erick's book) are:

Spinach: One cup of cooked spinach supplies only 41 calories, yet boosts your zinc intake. It also has calcium, magnesium, iron, and folic acid.

Strawberries: 2 cups of strawberries are only 100 calories and ensure optimal iron intake while providing lots of fiber and Vitamin C!

Wheat Germ: 1/2 cup of wheat germ supplies more than half of your daily magnesium needs, as well as a ton of vitamins (100% of your daily folic acid and 50% vitamin E), Iron, Zinc, and other minerals!

Broccoli: High in folic acid, vitamin C, beta carotene, iron, magnesium, calcium, vitamin B12, just about everything else!

Papaya: Supplies more than twice your day's need for vitamin C, more than your daily allotment of Vitamin A (as beta carotene), magnesium, calcium, potassium--and low in calories!

Water: DRINK A TON OF THIS!

So, what about being raw? Does this change how/when/what I eat? Yes, it does. But not much. If you are already high raw, you are pretty much there. Your baby will be getting all kinds of super healthy foods and nutrients and vitamins into its developing little system. BUT, you should try to get a ton of whole grains, calcium rich foods, and protein. Make sure you are eating enough raw veggies/nuts/seeds to make up for these vitamins. You are looking for foods high in Vitamin D, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B12, and calcium.

I hope this helps/is interesting! I think its awesome. God really has provided us with all the tools we need for happy, healthy, well-developed babies/bodies! Its just what you make of it bite by bite.

Proverbs 31: 10-31

The Woman Who Fears the Lord


10 [4] An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.

14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.

15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17 She dresses herself [5] with strength
and makes her arms strong.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.

20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet. [6]

22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands
and let her works praise her in the gates.

Best Vitamins for Women

So, women. What is it about women? Well, they are awesome. They are beautiful and soft, lovely, sweet, and precious, strong, hardcore, gentle, etc. etc. etc. And, they need VITAMINS! What vitamins, you ask? Well, according to Elizabeth Somer, these ones:


Vitamin A: This boosts immunity, maintains healthy tissue, aids in bone and tooth formation, and protects vision. Find it in dark green leafy veggies and dark orange ones.

Vitamin D: Strengthens bones and helps prevent osteoporosis. Might lower risk of colon cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. May curb PMS symptoms and protect vision. Find it in dark green leafy veggies. You might also get it in supplement form, just to be safe.

Vitamin E: Antioxidant. Counteracts DNA damage that ages cells. Prevents heart disease, cancer, memory loss, and cataracts. Boosts immunity. Look for it in wheat germ, most nuts, and spinach (OH a leafy green).

Vitamin K: Aids blood clotting, boosts bones, may curb heart disease risk. Look for it in leafy greens.

Folic Acid: Supprots normal cell growth, prevents anemia, and birth defects. May reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, preterm delivery, memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and cancer. Look for it in leafy greens, orange juice, wheat germ.

Vitamin B6: Helps produce hormones and brain chemicals. Strengthens immunity. Might lower risk of memory loss, heart disease, depression, and morning sickness during pregnancy. Look for it in avacados, potatoes, bananas, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

Vitamin B12: Helps prevent heart disease, memory loss, anemia, and depression. Maintains nerve and brain function. Look for it in a multivitamin or supplement.

Vitamin C: Antioxidant. Maintains tissue, promotes healing, boosts immunity. May reduce risk of cancer, sun damage, heart disease, cataracts, and tissue damage from secondhand smoke. Look for it in citrus fruit, brussel sprouts, peppers, and leafy greens.

Calcium: Reduces risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, possibly colon cancer. Aids in blood clotting, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission. Might reduce symptoms of PMS and help weight loss. Look for it in leafy greens, peas, beans. May also need a supplement.

Chromium: Regulates blood sugar and may help lower blood sugar levels in those who are insulin resistant. Get it in orange juice, whole grains, wheat germ.

Copper: Aids in nerve transmission, red blood cell formation, maintanence of strong bones and brain, hearth, immune function. Regulates blood sugar and protects against birth defects. Look for it in grains, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens.

Iron: Prevents fatigue, improves exercise performance, strengthens immunity, and maintains alertness and memory. Look for it in peas, apricots, leafy greens, raisins, whole grains.

Magnesium: Aids in muscle contraction, nerve transmission, blood pressure regulation, immune function, and bone formation. Might lower risk of heart disease and diabetes. Helps control hypertension, headaches, and preeclampsia during pregnancy. Look for it in avocados, bananas, wheat germ, whole grains, peas, leafy greens.

Omega-3 Fats: Lowers risk of heart disease, memory loss, bone loss, and osteoporosis. Reduces symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. May boost mood. Look for it in flaxseed and walnuts.

Selenium: Antioxidant. Lowers risk of heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. Look for it in whole grains, nuts.

Zinc: Speeds healing, boosts immunity, prevents pregnancy complications, helps maintain strong bones and normal taste and smell. Look for it in nuts, beans, peas, wheat germ, whole grains.

NOW, 2/3 of these vitamins are found in LEAFY GREENS! That means, make a big leafy green salad base. Add some whole grains, flax seeds, and some nuts and you're good to go for the day! All of these essential women's vitamins can be found in a salad!!! WOW! Isn't that intense?? MM MM!

LADIES' WEEK!

Ok, everyone--ITS THAT TIME! LADY'S TIME! This whole week is going to be dedicated to women. Of course my posts will be tailored to raw women, but all the information included in my Ladies' Week posts is good information for ALL women.

Here's a preview of what the week looks like:

Monday: Best Vitamins for Women (And where to find them). This day's post is based off of an article by Elizabeth Somer, entitled "Best Vitamins for Women." I am original, huh?

Tuesday: Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy. You will be BLOWN AWAY by some of the information presented here (especially if you've never considered this topic before).

Wednesday: African American Child-Women: Nutrition Theory Revisited. This post is related to an article I found that revisits past research on Af-Am nutrition. The study discussed in this article was conducted by Medha Talpade and was ppublished in a journal called Adolescence. This should be an interesting post.

Thursday: Cocoa Reduces Inflammation Associated with Heart Disease. (MMM CHOCOLATE)! Who needs another excuse to eat tons of cocoa? I do, and I'm sure other women do, so come check out this post!

Friday: Raw Women, Raw Strength. This post is the one I'm looking forward to most! Do you know of a really strong raw woman? Send her info my way and perhaps she'll show up on this blog post!

Well, if you can't tell, I'm REALLY excited about LADIES' WEEK! YIPPEEEE! Come back every day to check it out! Until then...its green smoothie time!

Honey Coconut Smoothie

I have a favor to ask of you--no, a demand: TRY THIS SMOOTHIE. Oh my gosh I am just blown away daily by the smoothies I make! Not trying to toot my own horn but let me tell you I AM A GENIOUS with a blender and an employed husband (who hates, by the way, finding left over smoothies lying around the house as I mix and mix and fail and fail at making yummy smoothies). 

Here is the HONEY COCONUT SMOOTHIE:

2 TBS Raw Honey (warmed, liquified)

2 cups coconut water

about 2 tablespoons coconut meat

2 dates

1 apple

Some red leaf romaine

some baby greens

So, what I did, was first I put the coconut water in the blender with the coconut meat to make a light coconut milk. Then, I added the dates until they were smooth. Next, I blended in the apple. Then the greens. Then the honey. It was green, just like my others, so I didn't take a picture of it... but you could imagine what it would look like...

Photo taken from In the Raw

For those of who who have a hard time with coconuts. Let me tell you, today was my first time. I started by attempting to saw off the woody stuff around the outside. I thought I was getting somewhere until I hit the hard crust part. I thought, "WTF!" because I was already a little sweaty from all the cutting. And cutting. And cutting. Then, maybe 20 minutes later, my lovely husband, being that he spent MONTHS in INDONESIA (one of the largest suppliers of coconuts) said "Love," (isn't he sweet?) "Get a knife and stick it in the top. Then, use something heavy and hammer it in." Ok...........

So I grabbed a knife. And a pot.

"Love," (again, so sweet) "You're going to grab, out of everything in the kitchen, one of our nicest pots!?"

"...*blink blink*... well, you said something heavy."

"Yes, but..here, use this.." 

He handed me our incredible cast iron tea pot, a very expensive and one-of-a-kind wedding gift. Well, I used it, despite my better judgement. Somewhere in the back of my mind was my lovely sister, saying, "Candice, this thing is so great it can't break." So, I guess it will double as a coconut opener?

At that, determined, I began hammering. And hammering. And hammering. And FINALLY, coconut water dripped out. More hammering. And hammering. I was sweaty-my face was red, I was pounding, trying to get that darned thing pried open because I had NOTHING else to eat for breakfast besides some oat flour... Eventually, I broke open a chunk (thanks to all the sawing I was doing earlier!).....I put the water in and was able to scoop out a tiny amount of the meat. The thing went in the fridge for a later time. I was NOT going to spend another minute on that dumb coconut. Well, as you may know by now, the smoothie turned out GREAT. MM MM MM MM MM!!!! 

I will let you know what happens with the coconut.....its fate is in my hands....

My Raw Yum-Yum Taco Salad

Hola, Amigos!

Oh man....Am I the only person who thinks "taco taco taco" when Spanish is being spoken?...."MM TACO..hola, sí, uh huh...right...TACO!"

mm...probably. Well, anyways...Mexican food is my all time favorite food EVAR. AND, I needed a quick, simple, easy, raw alternative. So, I came up with this:

Just looking at it is making my mouth water! Anyway, this here raw taco salad alternative is based with a lovely red leaf lettuce, chopped. On top, you'll find bell peppers (red, green, yellow), red onion, a medium salsa made out of tomatoes, cilantro, onion. You'll also find that I dropped a few black beans all around the salsa. Finally, I dressed mine with a TON of Local Folks Foods (based out of Sheridan, IN) hot sauce!

Now, I think this would be tastey with some extra cilantro or other assorted Mexican-y spices added to it, but I LOVE it just the way it is. I also have added some rice to this to fluff it up a bit and that was even incredible. YUM YUM YUM! I also think you could probably make this into a type of taco dip with some raw chips. If you got some raw tortillas, you could make soft tacos, too! Also, you could add some guacamole! OH THE POSSIBILITIES!!!

Look at that AWESOME Local Folks Foods habanero hot sauce! MMM

I think I am getting dehydrated drooling all over the place.

That's right folks..OH the possibilities.... *le sigh* ... ok, where's my breakfast!?


ALSO: DON'T FORGET--STARTING MONDAY IS RAW LADY'S WEEK!!! 5 POSTS WILL BE DEDICATED TO WOMEN AND THEIR HEALTH, NUTRITION, FOOD, ETC. Come back daily to check out some stuff about the ladiiieeessss!

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS!

Andrew and I ate a ton of fruits and topped it off with almonds for an incredible light fruit, raw fruit breakfast!

If you can't see the fruit, inside this beautiful bowl are:

Apple chunks

Pears

Bananas

Almonds

The breakfast was great at getting us jumpstarted for the day. For lunch, Andrew's father prepared some great shish-kabobs and asparagus on the grill, served with a plate of raw veggies and bean salad. One of the best (though not very raw) lunches! 

Anyway, raw breakfast has always been our biggest challenge, but a simple fruit bowl like this works really well. So does a green smoothie, but that's not what THIS post is about! Seriously, I know it can sound a little boring to think "fruit!?" when you could be sitting down to a giant pancake or omelette. HOWEVER, this is a great dish if you wanna go raw. Also, throw in some raw yogurt or something and have a blast!

I've also dehydrated mashed bananas mixed with coconut (cinnamon to taste) for a breakfast. Try it!

MUST SHARE: Green Smoothie

So, I just made a green smoothie for lunch and it is so delicious I thought I had to share! Here's the mixture:

1 handful of whole grape tomatoes.
3 or so leaves of red leaf lettuce
1 cup Organic, fresh Mixed Berry fruit juice
1 very ripe banana.

First, I blended to tomatoes since I knew they hard a harder peel. Once those were liquified, I threw in the lettuce and some juice. Blend. As that was going, I threw in chunks of banana at the top. Let it run for a sec til it was nice and smooth and WHA-LA, GREEN SMOOTHIE OF ALL GREEN SMOOTHIES! The best part about this green smoothie is that I HATE tomatoes, most of the time. Usually, I really have to dress them up to enjoy them but I guess adding them to a smoothie is a great way to mask the flavor and still get all that lycopene they have! Also, I hear they are great for Andrew's prostate.

Try it!

Salads, salads, and MORE SALADS!

Well, at least there's......

Aren't all of God's natural creations simply beautiful!?

THE (totally awesome) SIDE SALAD!!!! 

So, what can I say? Is this salad a beauty or what! I made this salad with a bit of crispy romaine, baby greens, green pepper, red pepper, yellow peppers, cucumbers, and grape tomatoes. All organic, of course! I topped this basic side salad off with a nice raw red wine vinaigrette. It. Was. Awesome!

Clearly, Andrew and I love certain veggies--all of the ones in this salad, more or less. They are our staple veggies (except the grape tomatoes) and we buy them every week.. Yup, every week we stock up on our leafy greens (mostly lettuces right now, rather than kale, spinach, etc. However, there is a lady who was at our farmers market who sold all natural spinach that was extremely tastey). We always make sure to get two of each of our favorite bell peppers, though soon we will be growing some (God willing) in our organic garden plot! We get two cucumbers, and red onion. These I eat ALL THE TIME. AND, they make the great side salad you see above (if you add the grape tomatoes). 

What's awesome, in my opinion, about the side salad is how AWESOME it tastes (5 raws by the way. An excellent side salad, for a side salad)!!! And, it fills us up, so we can make less of our main course and save money (red pepper/coconut soup anyone?! Coconuts are expensive!). Yeah, I'll say that again: we save money eating these things! And not only that, here is some nutritional information for the side salad pictured here:

This salad is FULL of the following:

Vitamin A

Folic Acid

Vitamin C

Vitamin B1 and B2

beta-carotene

Vitamin K

Thiamine

Silica (Cucumber)

Potassium

Magnesium

Molybdenum

Lycopene

Biotin

Fiber

WOW! I know, right!? Just make sure you are making your side salads with ORGANIC produce, so as not to cancel out the benefits of these vitamins! And what ARE the benefits of a side salad full of so many vitamins?? Well, these vitamins help with these things:

Vitamin A: Proper growth/development, eyesight

Folic Acid: Critical to cell division

Vitamin C: Makes collagen, the main protein of the body. Metabolizes fats. Vital for wound repair, healthy gums, and prevention of bruises. Critical to immune function. Antioxidant. 

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Energy production, carbohydrate metabolism, nerve cell function.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Energy production.

Beta-carotene + Lycopene: Antioxidant, converts to Vit A. 

Vitamin K: Blood clotting, bone health, 

Potassium: Electrolyte. Water balance, kidney and adrenal function, muscle and cell function, heart function.

Magnesium: Activates enzymes. Maintains cell charge in muscles and nerves. Energy production, protein formation, cell reproduction.

Biotin: Utilizes fats and amino acids.

Whoa! Lots of goodness! What would we do without all these vitamins! Next meal, add a beautiful side salad--and feel GREAT about the choice (because the rest of your body will)!

Please tell me, what is your favorite thing to use in your side salads?! Mine is by far red onion. I am a red onion fiend! 

Btw: For the nutritional information, I use The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray and Joseph and Lara Pizzorno. It is a super guide for me! I use it ALL. THE. TIME.

The Case for Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis

Liliacae!

Picture from Epicurian.com

Asparagus: Its perennial. Should be planted in early spring. Sunny, wind protected spot. Water heavily. Watch out for Asparagus rust and fusarium wilt. Asparagus helps with Arthritis and Rheumatism and helps as a diuretic. It is very low in calories: 24 per cup. Excellent source of potassium, vitamin K, folic acid, vitamins C and A, B6, riboflavin, thiamin. Also it is full of dietary fiber, niacin, phosphorus, protein, and iron! WOW!

Andrew and I have some great stalks of Asparagus in our fridge right now, and I am debating on how we are going to eat it. It was given to us by Andrew's father. Now, Andrew says you can't eat it raw, but I know I've seen it on salads and things before. Perhaps I can throw it in a nice green smoothie today? A salad? Well, here's a variation I found online by Chef Jonathan Waxman from EPICURIAN

Ingredients:
12 Medium-sized asparagus spears. Snap off the tough ends.
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup raw olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 ounce wedge parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Carefully shave the asparagus lengthwise into long, graceful strips. Place the strips in a bowl and toss with the lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Finally, using a vegetable peeler, shave the cheese over the top. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Variation:

Shave 1 large fennel bulb and 1 or 2 Belgian endives on the mandoline (or veggie peeler) and toss with the asparagus shavings. You may want to increase the olive oil and cheese to your taste. 

How do YOU like your Asparagus!?

GREEN SMOOTHIES!

Hey all!

I've done some awesome experiments into the green smoothie thing...with adding various veggies. Now, honestly, I'm so excited to share a few EASY raw, green smoothie recipes I've "cooked" up -- they are really really tasty green drinks! I have had these the past couple of days for breakfast and I have felt SO good in the morning and for the rest of the day! And, now that the sun is out, Titus (the dog) and I have been enjoying some running/jogging/walking in the sun. Today, my smoothie even gave me the energy to break a running record (this isn't a huge amount, so I'm not going to post that I ran 15 miles or something, because I didn't. Nonetheless, I broke a personal record!) Oh, summer, how I love thee!

Anyway, here are the recipes and while you're at it, Mr./Mrs./Miss Smoothie lover, go check out a previous banana/mango smoothie blog post!

This isn't the BEST quality picture, but this is the Green Berry Slimer Smoothie!

The Blonde, Chartreuse smoothie:

4 leafs romaine lettuce

A handful of baby greens

1 medium Banana

1/2 cup Mango Juice

1/2 cup Orange Juice

Pinch of Ginger

Blend romaine, baby greens, and juices together in the blender. Then, add the banana. Throw in the pinch of ginger and you're ready to go! 

The GREEN BERRY slimer smoothie:

4 leafs romaine lettuce

A handful of salad mix

1 medium Banana

1 cup juice from various berries

Blend romaine, baby greens, and berry juice together in your blender. Throw in the banana and DRINK!

4.5 raws for both! SO good, and so full of vitamins and minerals. These smoothies are FULL of Vitamins A, B6, C, K, Manganese, calcium, fiber, iron, and, of course, potassium! This means good things for your health. Now, start your day off right and try one of these smoothies. What is your favorite green smoothie recipe?