I know.  You are rolling your eyes at “Instead of Coffee” Green Smoothie.  I would be too.  Except that I drink this green juice (as I call it), these days, instead of coffee.  It’s the closest quick hit of drinkable energy that I’ve found.

I stopped drinking coffee because . . .

I know. You are rolling your eyes at “Instead of Coffee” Green Smoothie. I would be too. Except that I drink this green juice (as I call it), these days, instead of coffee. It’s the closest quick hit of drinkable energy that I’ve found.

I stopped drinking coffee because . . .

of some health issues I was having.  This past summer, I was having terrible headaches and trying to get to the bottom of it.  I’ve always been a headache prone person, but recently they had become so frequent and intense that all I wanted to do was to be in a quiet room by myself – which doesn’t work so well when you have four children on summer break.

I started reading books, trying medication, and figured I’d have to start eliminating certain foods to see if that might be the culprit.  I was beginning to notice that my headaches would be much worse when I ate super sugary foods (like icing on cinnamon rolls) almonds, and strong iced coffees (I miss you!).  Before, I relented to denying myself, I had an appointment with an ENT, that was scheduled a month prior.  He told me my sinuses were obstructed.  And, he believed this was the reason for my headaches.  I knew weather was a factor too, so maybe there (is) was something there?  He wanted to do imaging but said my insurance wouldn’t pay for it until I did a round of antibiotics.  Saying something along the lines of…. you may have a sinus infection, anyways (which I was pretty certain I didn’t).  I took the antibiotics because they told me too and because it never crossed my mind to just toss them when I got home and then go back for imaging.  I wish I would have.  About nine days into taking the antibiotics I got a bad rash and was red from head to toe.  I knew something was very wrong when my limbs were getting heavy….so I went to the ER.  They told me it was an allergic reaction to the antibiotic.  They gave me meds and I went home.  I still wasn’t feeling right for about about a week and then became very ill. After another visit to the ER,  it was apparent that the medication had effected my liver.  They couldn’t quite figure out what was wrong with me and were checking me for all kinds of hepatitis and strange viruses, which thank God, all tests came back negative.  To make a long story short, I had acute injury to my liver.  I spent a lot of time back and forth to doctors and labs and it was scary.  My faith sustained me and I truly believe God intervened and healed my liver.

While my liver enzymes normalized, it appears the medication and entire episode seemed to really upset my whole system.  I really couldn’t stomach much.  My digestive system seemed to be entirely out of whack (and still not back to 100%  yet).  In the midst of this, I organically had to eliminate a lot of food groups.  And, about a week into eating close to nothing, I noticed my headaches were almost completely gone.  If I did get a headache it was pretty mild and I could sleep it off (I was so scared to even take an Advil and still a little phobic of meds, as you can imagine).

I became pretty convinced that my headaches had a lot to do with caffeine, chocolate, almonds and aged cheese (and stress).  So I avoided these foods.  Which thankfully was pretty easy to do because I couldn’t digest them well anyways.

Honestly, I don’t miss the caffeine much…maybe just on Thursdays when the week feels long and the temps are sub-zero.  But, I do miss the ritual and taste of coffee.  I know there is always decaf, but I read that it can actually be worse for headaches because of the chemicals they use to extract the caffeine.  So, I’m now the weirdo that goes around asking to smell other’s coffees, candy bars and donuts.

One day as I was reading up on digestion, I came across a recipe for a glowing green smoothie that had many health benefits, and thought I’d give it a try.  I was surprised at how much of a pick me up it was.  I, now, make this most mornings and find that when I skip making it, my body craves it.  It’s my instead of coffee green smoothie.  Literally.  And, here is what’s in it:

INTEAD OF COFFEE GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPE

1 cup room temperature water

1 generous handful of spinach

1 generous handful of romaine (I tear up about 4-5  long pieces)

1 celery stalk

1/4 of a handful of cilantro (stems included)

1/4 to 1/2 of fresh squeezed lemon (depending on how tart you like things)

1/2 tsp turmeric

1 apple

1 pear

1 banana

Mix water, greens, lemon and turmeric on low and then add in fruit on high speed.  Blend until smooth.

This makes about two cups (the size pictured).  I usually try to get my husband to drink the extra cup or save it in the fridge (it’s good for up to two days, covered).  When I know I’m making it for only me, I half the recipe.

I understand cilantro seems a little iffy.  I used to not even be able to take celery in a smoothie or juice but somehow it just all works.  You can substitute parsley for the celery (or do both) to make it a little milder, but cilantro is good for detoxing and I needed that.  I love it in my juice now.  But, feel free to play around with the quantity of ingredients to taste.

Also, I know when we think of the word smoothie we think frozen or freezing cold… you can make yours colder by using very cold water and frozen bananas if you like, but I’ve found a room temperature smoothie to be easier on my system.  In fact, I made a frozen smoothie a few weeks back and got an instant headache.  I guess I’m just super sensitive, but it was enough to make me want to stick with room temperature for the most part.

I hope you give this green smoothie a try!

On a side note : I have been slowly incorporating foods again to see what I do tolerate.  I tried coffee the other week, for the first time in over 3 months.  At first it didn’t even taste that great to me, but after a few minutes it was as good as I remembered.  It didn’t seem to bother me that day, but I’m pretty certain that if I drank it everyday I’d be having more headaches (same with chocolate).  So I’ve decided, at this point, if I want it for a special occasion or once in a while then I’ll have it.  Not having headaches everyday is far better than having coffee.  As of right now, I’m gluten free (another story for another day), mostly dairy free (I have goat cheese occasionally, and will eat things like mashed potatoes if they have a little milk in them), mostly caffeine free (a little chocolate here and there and maybe a small coffee every once in a blue moon), and I avoid greasy foods too.

If you’ve been on health journey, whether by choice or necessity, I’d love to hear about it!

My other smoothie recipes here and here.

*Recipe adapted from Kimberly Snyder’s Glowing Green Smoothie

By Trina

we have been making a lot of green drinks around here.  of course, it’s the new year and everyone is cutting this and that and everything out of their diet.  i’m not good at that.  i never have been.  but, like I told you earlier this week, what am good at is adding good things.  and adding lots of fruits and vegetables is a good thing.  i love vegetables but i don’t always find it easy to eat several servings a day.  what i do find manageable is to drink them in a yummy smoothie. my current favorite combo is:

+ spinach : a big handful
+ cucumber : a quarter of an english cucumber
+ pear : one half
+ banana : one half, frozen
+ mango : one handful, frozen
+ chia seeds : about a tablespoon
+ rice milk : to desired consistency
+ ice : one small handful

its good.  my kids love it, kind of good and there was no bribing or brainwashing them into believing it was hulk juice.  it’s really one of the only smoothies that i don’t put almond butter or yogurt in and i have to say i like it all the more.

do you love to smoothies?  i’d love to hear your favorite combos.

i also love this green smoothie, that i wrote about last year, and when i want a non-green smoothie this recipe is my go to.

By Trina

everything about this kitchen.

this look.  green coat / green smoothie.

green doors.

avocado toast – – still.

painted floors.

don’t over think, just let it go.  exactly the words my kids sing non-stop (from frost), “let it go!”

what are you loving this week?

By Trina

Lately, I’ve been a smoothie making machine.  After having a stare down withLouise’s green shakes everyday on Instagram I decided to give it a try.  I’m not the greatest at cutting out entire food groups but I am ok at adding good things. But when it came down to it, I didn’t start green I went with LA in Bloom’s Date Shake (which is a definite favorite and could easily pass as dessert).  Once I got to blending, I got braver and started throwing spinach in and ever since I got a Vitamix, I’ve been concocting all kinds of vegetable and fruit smoothies.

Right now, I’m really enjoying the combination above.  Kale sounds a little scary but, I promise, it’s not.  My 2 year old drank the mixture and thought it was milk shake.  The key, I find, is to always add a frozen banana.  It stabilizes and smooths out the greens.  When I want a little protein I add a tablespoon of almond butter and use almond milk.  You can change out any fruit, frozen or fresh to your liking.  I think mangos and blackberries are a really lovely combination and I tend to like a good portion of my fruit to be frozen to keep that smoothie consistency.  And, when in doubt, if you are ever in need of smoothie inspiration, then well you know where to go, Pinterest!

Cheers!

By Trina

Here’s what I’m loving this week . . .

Besides fresh starts, that is.

This 30-Day Minimalism Challenge has circulated for a year, or a few. I can’t be sure. I can be sure of the probability that I have posted this before, however. What can I say? I like it. I like it because it is doable.

I just finished reading my friend Erin’s book Chasing Slow (I’ll be sharing about it soon) which is a beautiful memoir of living fast and amassing only to conclude that slow and less is what actually offers us more. (Already on my fave list for the year, get this book lovely friends.).

Also on topic . . .  I’ve got this documentary in my que on Netflix.

Books. Always books. In this respect shelving them. My bookcase is full and I’ve got piles by my chair and in my nightstand and on my nightstand. Oh and on the coffee table too. I’ll have to share the dilemma soon.

Healthy Hot Chocolate. I know I should be loving a green smoothie (my favorite recipe here), this week but I only had one hot chocolate over the holidays, and the temperature is reading “feels like -11.” You probably need a healthy hot chocolate too.  Cheers!

Also, I’ve never made hot chocolate in my blender and I think that is just a shame.

A note roll board for a new year. I’m a huge fan of listing and I’m pretty much going back to paper, this year. DIY here.

Pretty blue eye makeup that I normally would not wear. It looks like art. And, I’d like to wear art. So in the words of my 13 year old, “#GOALS.”

Stop the spending, right? Well, unless you might have some Christmas money and you have been looking for a casserole dish. If that is you, this one is beautiful and functional and on sale. I wish I needed it.

+ + +

What are you loving this first new week of the year?

Disclaimer: Compensation was provided for this blog post.

By Trina