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21 Day Green Smoothie Challenge

Apr 5, 2013 | Uncategorized | 10 comments

Good Morning, and Happy Friday! 

This month, with only 8 weeks until bikini time, I’ve decided to try a ‘Green Smoothie Challenge’, to get my body feeling rejuvenated, my skin looking better, and hopefully, my jeans fitting better! I’ve tried a green juice, (infact I love Naked Green machine) but have never tried a green smoothie, and definitely haven’t made one at home. I am often put off by the washing up that comes with making the smoothie at home, oh and the fact that we have had such a cold winter, a cold smoothie isn’t exactly the first thing I think about in the morning. 
 

But, I have seen them all over blog land, and have read about the benefits of the drinking one a day. Here’s what Julie Montangu promises you’ll get out of it…  

MORE ENERGY!
The more greens people add to their diet, the more enthusiastic and energetic they become! Reducing the demand on your digestive system will boost your physical energy as well as your emotional energy! When your body doesn’t have to process heavy foods and toxins, you will in turn feel energetic and invigorated!
HEALTHIER BODY WEIGHT!
Participants often tell us about weight plateaus that have been broken, workouts that yield better results, and clothes that just become too big! With simple nutrient-dense foods you will feel easily satisfied and overeating is much less likely to happen.
YOUNGER SKIN!
The more greens people add to their diet, the more enthusiastic and energetic they get! Reducing the demand on your digestion will boost your physical and emotional energy! When your body doesn’t have to process heavy foods and toxins, you feel energetic and invigorated!

BETTER DIGESTION!
Changing to a diet that consists of fresh food will dramatically improve your digestion! You’ll feel better because food is being processed through your system much more efficiently. What’s going on in the gut has an effect on every part of your overall health and well-being!
BETTER MOODS!
You’ll feel less irritable, more interested in spending time with others and less “on the edge of your nerves”. All because your body is feeling rested and peaceful right down to your cells!
BETTER FOCUS
You’ll be able to think clearly, feel more focused and get more done because your attention and energy won’t be tied up with digestion!  (source)
Well if these are the benefits that I am going to get from the Green smoothie challenge, then sign me up! Many websites offer paid-for-plans, which are great and give you recipes, e-books, and motivational emails. I’m not going to do that, sorry! I am just going to share the recipes that I’m using, most of them have been found online, just follow the links.
I’ll probably drink the same exact smoothie at least two days in a row, to save on costs of produce, effort (just make a double batch!) and if I like one particularly, then obviously I’m going to make it again! I’m also going to add in some flax seeds to my smoothies, as well as a little protein powder to those on days where I am doing a lot of exercise!
 
This week I’ll be making these four smoothies (double batches;
I’ll be drinking my smoothies in my, as yet, unused Starbucks cold cup!
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to follow along
6 bananas
2 green apples
1 large bag spinach
1 pineapple
2 pears
1 romaine lettuce
4 kiwis
1 mango
Bag frozen berries
1 cucumber
1 lemon
Apple juice
Orange juice
Honey
Ice
Agave syrup or liquid stevia
Almond milk
Ground flax seeds
Protein powder of your choice, I’ll be trying out Vanilla PhD Diet Whey Protein Powder

These ingredients will see you through 8/9 days of smoothies! I’ll be posting pics on the blog and on twitter, along with brief recipes, but follow the links to see the originals!

Please send me links to other green smoothies you want to try or think I should!! Or tweet me @charliedwatson if you’re joining the challenge, or have any recommendations! 

What are your thoughts on green smoothies? Love them or loathe them, or never tried them? 

10 Comments

  1. Lauren (@poweredbypb)

    I’m a massive green smoothie fan, I always have at least one a day, and I notice a difference if I don’t have them! Good luck, keen to see how you get on!

    Reply
  2. themovingmuncher

    I love green smoothies! Since drinking them I have also noticed a big difference in the clarity of my skin which has been a great bonus…

    As for recipes, I personally use Kimberly Snyder’s glowing green smoothie recipe which you can find here:

    http://kimberlysnyder.net/blog/ggs/

    She’s a clinical nutritionist who has hit mega-stardom in the US, and whilst I don’t follow a lot of what she says (it does make sense but I’m just not willing to have a mainly vegan/raw diet), this smoothie has become a regular. The beauty is that you can make a big batch (I make about 5-6 at a time) and freeze portions. I leave one to defrost overnight and am ready to go in the morning!

    Good luck with the challenge, I’m sure you’ll feel great from it!

    Reply
    • Charlie

      Thanks so much, I’ll definitely have a look at her blog! Agree I could never go vegan/raw!

      Reply
  3. katmcd

    I made one once and it was delicious but did not hold over for the next day. Keep us updated on which you like best!

    Reply
  4. Laura

    Oh go for it, I love green smoothies, if you get stuck for recipes I have loads and loads on my blog. I’ve done a few 7 day green smoothie challenges. Hope you enjoy it! Kimberly Snider (re the above commenter) does a great glowing green smoothie recipe that’s well worth trying out 🙂

    Reply
    • Charlie

      Thanks Laura, I’ll definitely take a look!!!

      Reply
  5. Mary Moore

    I’m yet to try a green smoothie too and again, have been put off by the hassle of the blender washing! I’m not sure I could go 21 days without it feeling like a chore but I plan on trying some of the recipes you post over the coming weeks. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Lexa

    I love smoothies. I typically use frozen strawberries, blueberries, a banana and a lot of spinach. I typically use a pound a week. My protein of choice is Greenberry Shakeology. I found your blog through Skinnyrunner btw.

    Reply
  7. Catherine

    I go through smoothie phases, at the moment haven’t had one for aaages (winter y’all) but just yesterday I got a bag o spinach so might even have one later today!
    Love how you’ve included a shopping list, my problem is that I buy stuff, don’t fancy a smoothie in the next few days, and it goes off (nowt worse than rancid spinach) so I guess it’s all about planning.
    Looking forward to hearing about it 🙂

    Reply
  8. Sharon

    I also love green smoothies. My favorite is frozen pineapple, mango, banana, spinach, and for the liquid some flavored seltzer. I also sometimes add frozen berries. I have not found a protein powder I like, so I do not use any. I put in between one to two cups of spinach and I think all that fiber helps keep me full. One more thing that helps..I pre pack bags with everything (except the seltzer) I need for the smoothie and put them in the freezer. I do this for the week. Then in the morning I just dump everything in the bag into the blender. I think this also helps with not wasting any produce. I have fallen off the bandwagon..and this is a great time to get back on!,

    Reply

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