Summer's End Savory Smoothie

Summer's End Savory Smoothie
Keely Bush
(makes over 2 quarts)

3 medium carrots with green tops
2 large ribs of celery
1/2 english cucumber (seedless)
1 medium avocado
2 spring onions (green tops, too)
1 clove garlic
1 lemon - juiced
2 sprigs fresh oregano
1/2 tsp Pink Himalayan Salt or use Dulce Seaweed to taste
4 large handfuls of baby spinach
coconut water
4 roma tomatoes

You will need to break this down to make it all or cut the recipe in half. I used my VitaMix and blended everything except for the tomatoes. By that point, my blender was overflowing. Then I poured out half into a jug. I added two of the roma tomatoes to the remainder and processed until smooth. I poured that into a quart glass, put the rest back into the blender and processed the final two tomatoes into the mix.

Dr. Feel Good

I haven't been feeling too chipper the last few days. Stuffy runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, sinus headaches. YUCK!

Today I absolutely had to get some work done but I just felt like crawling back in bed for the day. Instead of resorting to that, however, I decided to try to make something that would make me feel better.

I came up with the Dr. Feel Good Shake. Within a half hour of drinking it, I was no longer sleepy and I had an overall feeling of well-being. I actually felt like running around and hugging everyone. I did still have a runny nose and all, but I did feel a lot better. I have noticed that quite a few people have mentioned on their blog that they had a cold, so I decided I would share this with you!

Dr. Feel Good Shake
(makes about 32 ounces)

4 bananas (frozen is best)
2 cups water
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. of vanilla
And here is where the feel good stuff comes in....
4 T of "Go Goji Cacao" (dried goji berries & cacao beans - raw blend)
1 T Hemp seeds
1 T Royal Jelly in Honey

Blend it all up and enjoy. About a half an hour later you will feel full of hugs and energy!

UPDATE: It has come to my attention that "Go Goji Cacao" is no longer being made, so just throw in 4 T of raw cacao and a small handful of raw, dried goji berries.

Green Smoothie Bliss

This is technically the last day of my Green Smoothie Queen 3-Day Challenge. However, I'm going to continue drinking mostly green smoothies through the weekend, at the very least. I may have a salad here or there, but I really need to up my green intake.

I found this interview on YouTube and I feel that it is very important for everyone to watch this. It answered a few questions for me. Each part of the interview is only about 10 minutes. You can spare twenty minutes for your health, can't you???

Green Smoothie Queen - Day 3

This is just a quick post because I have to get to bed early. Bob and I are leaving town tomorrow morning, and this will probably be my last post until Monday.

This was the last day of the Green Smoothie Queen 3-Day Challenge. I feel more jovial than I had in the past several weeks, but I'm not sure that I did too much detoxing. I did not have any symptoms really. Still... I do feel more focussed and am ready to face the world again!!! [grin]

I made all of my smoothies first thing in the morning today so I did not have to worry about them throughout the day. I didn't make anything new. I made two BBC Smoothies with added greens, one for breakfast, and one for dinner. For lunch I had the Tropical Green Smoothie that I had yesterday... but I added some goji berries to it for an extra boost.

I hope everyone that was doing this Green Smoothie Queen Challenge enjoyed it. If you missed this one, I believe there will be another sometime around April. I'll let you know!!! [grin]

Green Smoothie Queen - Day 2

Tropical Green
(makes 32 ounces)

2 bananas
1 cup frozen smoothie fruit blend (strawberries/mango/pineapple)
small handful frozen pineapple
2 cups of coconut nectar
large handful spinach
1 Tbsp. Vitamineral Green
1 tsp. royal jelly in honey

I had the above wonderful smoothie for my breakfast. For lunch I made a smoothie which I named a "Papaya Scream". You will not be finding the recipe for that anywhere on this blog! To say that it was horrible would be too kind!!! The only nice thing I could say about it was that it was the most lovely shade of green. I put it in the fridge in the hopes it would taste better cold. It did not. [sigh] I drank a "Basil Limeade" to get the terrible taste out of my mouth. For dinner I had a jackfruit smoothie.

Observations: I woke up this morning with a killer headache, but it was gone before I finished my first green smoothie of the day. I noticed that I have been more ornery than usual today, and the e-mails that I get are funnier to me! I was able to run my errands in record time today, too!!! [grin]

Green Smoothie Queen - Day One

Is it GREEN? Yes... it is!!! This was my late lunch smoothie. I've decided to call it a Raspberry Green.

Sunrise Smoothie
(makes 32 ounces)

2 bananas
1-1/2 cups orange juice
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 handful mixed greens
1 handful spinach
1 Tbsp. Vitamineral Green


Raspberry Green Smoothie
(makes about 2 cups)

1 cup frozen raspberries
2 cup pomegranite/cranberry juice
1 cup spinach
1 tsp. Spirulina

I had these two green smoothies that I made up today, plus a Banana Blueberry Brew Smoothie. The last one is one of The Raw Divas recipes as part of their programs, so I can't copy it here.

Observations: Felt pretty good all day up until dinner time. I started to get a headache at that point. However, I don't think that has anything to do with the challenge. I was researching something on my computer and I developed a stiff neck. I think I probably pinched something and that is what is causing the headache.

Papaya Peach Smoothie

I have never been able to buy a papaya that has any flavor to it. I've always assumed that I was a poor judge of when it was ripe, because the papaya in the springrolls at Ha Long Bay Asian Restaurant always are quite tasty. So the other day when Bob and I went to the Asian market and I saw a yellow papaya, already cut in half and wrapped up, I thought, "Aha! A ripe one!!!"

I now have a new theory. It is the type of papaya that I have been picking. I always get a yellow papaya. They also had a variety that was called a green papaya. It wasn't as attractive... but maybe they are the ones that taste good!?!?!

Anyhow, since I was stuck with a rather boring tasting fruit, I decided to conqure a question that I have heard others ask of The Raw Divas... "How do I make a smoothie if I hate bananas?".

Papaya Peach Smoothie
(makes about a quart)

1/2 of a large yellow papaya

16 oz. bag of frozen sliced peaches
enough Papaya Nectar (or juice of choice) to blend
1/4 cup Blue Agave Nectar (or to taste)
1 Tbsp. Royal Jelly (optional)
1/4 tsp. alcohol free Almond Flavor (optional)

Blend papaya and liquid of choice until completely smooth. Gradually add frozen peaches and continue blending. The almond flavoring will bring out the taste of the peaches. You will need to taste to see how much agave you will need to add to sweeten it to your own tastes.

If you make it as above, it will make a smoothie with a deep peachy color. However, for a wonderful Papaya Peach Green Smoothie, add two heaping handfuls of baby spinach leaves.

Green Smoothie 3-Day Challenge

Are you ready for a challenge? It's a good one!!!

On Dec. 17th, Bob and I are going to embark on a three day adventure of nothing but green smoothies!!! The program that we are going to be following is The Raw Divas' Green Smoothie Queen 3-Day Challenge. For a mere $19.95 you will get a beautiful Green Smoothie Jug (like those pictured above) plus 2 FREE PASSES to the Green Smoothie Queen 3-Day Challenge!!! Bob and I each bought a jug so we each got to invite a friend along for the experience!

The jugs are really great! My favorite smoothie jug has always been my glass "canning jar" mug. However, I couldn't take it with me if I was on the go. These Diva Jugs are made out of Nalgene and hold a generous 4 cups of liquid. The attached screw top lid makes it easy to pack it up for a road trip, too. Besides that, all those lovely words all over the side are bound to put a smile on your face!!! [grin]

Do you have to buy a jug to take the challenge? No! The program will only cost you $5.00 without the jug. If you get some friends and family to sign up with you, it will only be $4.00 apiece for 5 or more people!!! Go ahead, ask your siblings, co-workers, Uncle Donnie, your chiropractor or whoever to join you for just three days. You will all feel better and look better for the upcoming holiday season! All that is needed is a blender and a good place to buy fruits and veggies... the recipes will be provided!

For more info, or to sign up just clickity-click HERE. You will instantly be directed to a page that should answer all of your questions. Go ahead... click on it and read all about the program!!! Hurry though, sign-ups for the program will be ending very soon!!!

And if you do decide to take the challenge, please leave me a comment or drop me an e-mail and let me know!!!

PLEASE NOTE: The above special offer is no longer in effect. It has been replaced by THIS offer. And you can still buy the jugs seperately, HERE.

On the Road...Raw

Bob and I are often asked what we do when we go on the road. We are on the road about three days almost every week. The places we stay (lately the Residence Inn in Boardman, Ohio) have kitchens which feature a full sized refrigerator. We don't use the stove or microwave (unless the call of the free popcorn is too great... but that is extremely rare). But the fridge is a great thing!

We have two options, we can either shlep all the ingredients to the hotel and drag our blender along to make it all into smoothies, or we can make it all ahead (and by we, I mean me) and just take the finished product.

Now before you start preaching to me about the hazards of plastic leaching into my food, let me just say...I know. However, glass is not an option when we are packing for a trip, due to possible breakage and thus meal loss. We have replaced the bowls with nalgene, so that is much better, and we will eventually get smoothie containers made out of the same substance.

I make a breakfast whole fruit smoothie for each of us for the day we leave. Then there is a green smoothie for lunch and a dinner sized salad for that evening. The dinner salad features raw seeds and nuts, or avocado... this week we had both. We have lunch sized salads for the second day, too. I try to vary some of the ingredients in the dinner and lunch salads just for variety, and I have different dressings in each. Both salads are made from a variety of salad greens and spinach. Then they are dressed up with cubed red, yellow and orange bell peppers, grape tomatoes, shredded carrot, broccoli slaw, green beans, sometimes mushrooms, and sprouts of some sort. Finally, on the day we leave we have a green smoothie ready for us to drink in the car for our lunch as we wheel our way home!!! We also have a grocery store right down the street in case we feel the need to get some raw veggies or such to snack on. However, I always pack and usually end up taking back home, a couple of raw snack bars of some sort.

Generally we treat ourselves the second night and go out to the local vegan restaurant, The Flaming Ice Cube Cafe, for dinner. On the second and third day we get our breakfast from the hotel. They have a full breakfast bar and it always includes at least three varieties of fresh fruit. They also have a fruit salad, usually made with varieties of melon.

During the day on the one full day that we are in the hotel, while Bob is slaving away holding hearings, I am taking full advantage of the hotel "down time"! I exercise in the pool for at least one hour, then I hop over into the hot tub for 15 to 20 minutes and just soak my tired muscles and joints. After I relax on a lounge chair for around a half hour (so I'm dry enough to put my sweats on over my suit) I head up to the room for a shower and shampoo to rid myself of the evil pool chemicals. [grin] Then I generally do something girly like give myself a manicure and put myself together so I look nice when we go out that night. I spend any free time and travel time knitting scarves and hats for this year's Christmas presents!!!

Satsuma Smoothie

I got a great deal on a 5 pound box of Satsuma Mandarin Oranges, yesterday. I try to stay away from a lot of citrus, but I wanted to come up with something that featured these little jewels! This is probably one of those recipes that will put the folks in cooler climates running for the blankets, but keep it for the summer, or enjoy it while soaking in the tub! [grin]

Satsuma Smoothie
(makes about 6 cups)

10 Mandarin Oranges - juiced
1 banana
16 oz. bag of Frozen Fruit for Smoothies (strawberry, mango & pineapple blend)

Blend the mandarin juice and half of the frozen fruit blend until smooth. Add remaining frozen fruit and blend until completely smooth. You may need to add a bit of water to get that all blended. Finally blend in the banana.

NOTE: If you want a special occasion super sweet smoothie, make as above but add one tablespoon of agave nectar and serve in fancy glasses, garnished with mandarin slices.

Cran-Apple Smoothie

How can you have a Cran-Apple Smoothie if you have no cranberries!!! I had been all set to make this smoothie today. I had gotten dried cranberries a week or so ago, and then just yesterday I went out and got three Honey Crisp Apples. I was really looking forward to making something new, as with all the hustle and bustle around here, I had just been making the same things or using someone else's recipes. I had my apples peeled, and blended. I reached for the cranberries. No cranberries. I was NOT amused. Either they were used in another recipe and not replaced, or someone snacked on them. [sigh] So... because I was all ready to blog about my newest smoothie I threw in a couple of handfuls of Goji berries! Yum!!!

Cran-Apple Smoothie

3 apples
apple juice - enough to blend apples
1 or 2 handfuls of dried cranberries

Blend the apples and juice until smooth, then throw in your cranberries and blend to chop them up a bit. If you have no cranberries... goji berries will do! [grin]

Harvest Sauce and Smoothie

Raw Apple-Pear Sauce
(makes about 4 cups)

2 Jonagold Apples - peeled & cored
4 Seckel Pears - peeled & cored
1 cup apple juice or cider
1 large handful of Dried Cranberries

Slice the apples and pears and place in your blender along with just enough liquid to blend and process. Add the cranberries and blend until the mixture starts to turn pink with red flakes. Chill in fridge. When ready to serve, spoon into pretty dishes and garnish with dried cranberries. (As the apples and pears oxidize they will turn to regular applesauce color.)



Harvest Smoothie
(makes a little more than a quart)

Make the Raw Apple-Pear Sauce recipe, but add more liquid to make it thinner. Also add a handful of your favorite mixed fall greens to make a nutritious smoothie. You can garnish this with your dried cranberries, too. It is especially nice if you stir those cranberries into your smoothie. By the time you get to the bottom of your drink, the cranberries will have reconstituted in the liquid and you have a little post drink snack!


NOTES: Jonagold Apples are a firm and slightly tart apple. Seckel Pears are small very sweet pears. In fact, they taste a lot like the canned pears that are packed in light syrup, but they are raw and have no added sweeteners! Great snack for children, too!

BBC Smoothie

I just made the best smoothie for my breakfast!!! This is what happens when you get up in the morning and look around, only to find that the only fresh fruit you have left in the house would not make a good smoothie. What then? Hit the freezer!!!

BBC Smoothie
(Banana, Blueberry and Cherry)

2 cups apple juice
1 fresh or frozen banana
1 cup frozen Blueberries
1 cup frozen Dark Sweet Cherries

Blend it all thoroughly and you will be rewarded by a nice, thick, deep purple smoothie!

I'm sure that this would taste great with greens, but the color would be atrocious!!!

Sweet Summer Smoothie

Sweet Summer Smoothie
4 bananas
2 cups frozen strawberries
1 cup white seedless grapes
1/2 cup raw apple juice

Blend it all up and enjoy while sitting in the sun!

NOTE: I originally posted this recipe on my other site. You can access the original comments from here3 comments, but you can only post new comments from this blog.

I'm a Raw Diva!

Oh dear gods... what is she up to NOW?!?!?

Well, my dears, for the last several weeks Bob and I have been eating nothing but fresh raw foods. First there was The 7 Day Diva Detox. I felt really good about the program, and I loved the lovely Divas, Tera and Amy, who put it all together. Bob and I were having fun (he was the only male diva... so yeah, he was lovin' it), so we decided to continue on with The Body Enlightenment System (BES) . The BES is a 30 day program meant to free you of cravings and break bad food habits. It works! I prefer fresh fruits and veggies to any processed foods, now!

Last night we graduated from BES. Turned our tassels and threw our mortarboards in the air!

So what did I have today, now that I don't have a menu guiding me? Pizza? Pasta? Chocolate? (Well, maybe if there had been some chocolate in the house, but no.) I had a green smoothie!!! And before I had hung up from my graduation call last night, I had signed up for The Sisterhood Gold program. I'll be getting monthly menus from The Raw Divas. Now we may not follow every menu to the letter. There will be days when we go out with friends and choose to eat cooked foods, but for the most part... we are now RAW!!! Okay, I still want chocolate once in a while, and I will eat chocolate once in a while. But... it is going to be good chocolate and not some dime store bar that has been on the shelf for six months. [grin]

Don't worry about me jumping up on a soapbox and sprouting (just a little raw humor there) off at the mouth that you need to eat raw if you want to have better health. I'll leave that all up to Bob on his blog!!! [grin] However, I may post a picture of something that I made, or a recipe I think you would enjoy once in a while on this blog. I just wanted to let you know where I am at. I still consider myself a strict vegetarian, but I will probably be about 80 to 90% raw. Bob will be closer to 100% and he will be strictly vegan, I believe. This is new to me, but not to him. I do feel better, and best of all... a fellow Tai Chi student said to one of the other students in class that Bob and my skin just glowed!!! I liked that!!!

Manana Smoothie
2 ripe mangoes
2 bananas
several handfuls of spinach (or you may prefer another salad green)

Mix these all up in the blender until dreamy creamy! If you prefer a thinner smoothie, just add some water to the desired thickness. You can chill this or drink it right down. I know some of you are thinking, "YUK! She put spinach in a perfectly good fruit smoothie". Trust me when I tell you... you will not taste the spinach!!! Now some of the other greens have very distinctive tastes, so go with what you like. I personally hate Kale and can not tolerate it in my smoothies, but there are those who will put the whole bunch in there. You can also just add a handful of greens, and gradually increase the amount you add. This is a great energy boosting smoothie for the first thing in the morning... or any time! Yeah, Baby!!!

NOTE: I originally posted this message in my other blog. You can access the original comments from here2 comments, but you can only post new comments on this blog.