Sunday, August 23, 2009

Day #40

WOW! We are at the end of our 40 Day Smoothie Challenge! Truly, it never really felt like a challenge to me. I liked all of the smoothies I whipped up. I did not have any trouble fitting it into my day. It was quite easy.
This morning I made my first tan smoothie. It was a beautiful color tan with flecks of swiss chard and garden lettuce. It was the first time I added banana to mine. Quite tasty.
What I learned: I learned that I can commit to an effort and stick to it. I learned that it is true that the longer I practice something, the easier it gets. I learned that I really like my fruits and vegetables. I learned that I am a 'sweet' vs. 'savory' person.
I will continue to make smoothies on a daily basis. I will continue to juice and enjoy my vegetables in liquid as well as fresh form.
Thanks to all that participated. Thanks to those who kept track of us and tried a smoothie when we offered it to you:-)
Any suggestions for the next '40 Day Practice'?

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Days #38 & 39

Sad to report that I am using the last of my swiss chard from my garden to blend a smoothie this morning. I have lettuce left to harvest that should take me thru the end of this month. Then I need to buckle down and think strategically about the school year smoothie routine.
Tomorrow I will post a 'what I learned and what I plan for the future' blog and I hope that you do the same. I'm not sure what one does with a blog after it's 'done'...can anyone inform me of the correct procedure?

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Day #37

This morning I had the opportunity to talk about green smoothies on our local public radio station with fellow smoothie folks. It was fun, informative, and great PR for Center. Thanks to Heidi and Scott for inviting us and thanks to those of you that joined me. Let's keep smoothin' on!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Days 35 & 36

As we get closer to day 40 of this practice I am finding that I have less to comment on. I believe it's because it has become a habit. I continue to enjoy my smoothies with fresh juice and mixed greens with a little kombucha and protein powder. It has become a staple in my diet. What about the rest of you?

Monday, August 17, 2009

Day #34

The day old beet-based smoothie was a delicious breakfast. What was your smoothie made of today?

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Days #31 & #32

It's a red (beet) theme movin' and shakin' the Downing household this AM. Beet greens were the base of the breakfast smoothie. Leftover roasted beets were added to the smoothie and it all turned a beautiful pink! The taste is oh, so subtle and delicious!
From there, I took the pulp (with beet pulp included) and baked a batch of healthy blueberry muffins that are also pink! Very cute!
What I celebrate about this experience is the 'no waste' result. EVERYTHING was used because it's ALL edible. (I am capitalizing because it's a wallop along side the head for me!)
What does your day hold?

Friday, August 14, 2009

Day #31

In talking with people who have participated in the challenge it sounds like everyone will continue to keep green smoothies as a diet staple. We have all settled into our patterns and dislikes and likes. We also agree that the amount of nutrients is truly amazing!
So as we close this challenge let's continue to support each other these last nine days. Take care and let us know how it's going.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Day #30

Today I drank a leftover smoothie during our Write Weigh session. Once again the slow intake curbed my hunger into late afternoon. I am liking the effect.
Now I am off to imbibe(sp?) in a fresh peach margarita with some friends. I love summer!!!!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Day #29

I repeated yesterday's recipe with a different approach to consumption. Because I was running late I took my smoothie to school with me and drank it slowly over the course of nearly two hours. I was still not hungry at 12:30 when I sat down to eat after my uncle's funeral. (yes, I know, I WAS fulfilling the cultural expectation to eat. More tomorrow at Write Weigh:-)
But anyway, I am thinking that is what I will do once school begins. Slowly drink it over time, at work, and eat a light snack during my late afternoon prep hour.
The blueberries are delicious! The peaches are as well! Aren't we fortunate for summer harvest?

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Day #28

Returned to juice today and tried the beet greens. Very good. Of course, I do not stuff the greens in like some of you do so I think anything would taste good. Has anyone put honey in their smoothies?

Monday, August 10, 2009

Day #27

Made my first smoothie without juice today. It was quite good, not so sweet. I used red lettuce, blueberries, pineapple, kombucha and a little yogurt. (I left out the protein powder because it's in the granola bars and I am getting a little overwhelmed by the taste.) I drank it for lunch and I have identified that time to be the best for me. Kombucha and high protein for breakfast, smoothie for lunch, and a great dinner. Sounds like a menu plan for me.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Day #26

This morning I had a delightful smoothie that a friend made. It was tasty! It was a bit strange not to get up and concoct my own...but mostly it was a treat!
Peaches arrive from Colorado this week...MMMMM good!

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Day #25

I am observing how settled in we all seem to be to including smoothies into our daily intake. We have figured out favorite combinations, we have variety in our greens and our fruits, and we have even figured out how to travel with them. Interesting what 25 days can accomplish.
My question for each of you today is about impact. Have you noticed any differences in yourself since we began this journey? Physical, mental, emotional, social, or spiritual? Of course, it's difficult to pull out smoothies as the specific cause, but theoretically how has this practice impacted your life?

Friday, August 7, 2009

Day #24

The luxury of having premade smoothies in the fridge is that I can grab some whenever I want it. As a result I am getting more nutrients and avoiding other less healthy food choices.
This afternoon I made my first batch of homemade granola bars. They are delicious. Their flavor is intense and they have the same consistency as Clif bars, always a favorite of mine in the past. Let me know if you would like the recipe.
What's in your blender?

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Day #23

Today I drank a ready-made smoothie that I bottled last night. It was quite delicious! I added about a 1/2 cup of kombucha to it and I am finding that I really like that combination. I am relieved to know that day-old smoothies are tasty. It relieves some anxiety I had about going back to work full-time. ("some" is the key word:-)
I have cleaned beet greens and more carrot greens for future batches. I am very happy with using the entire plant. By the way, I roasted the beets according to the recipe given to me by Sweet Little Flower and another yoga student. They are so sweet and yummy!
Keep on smoothing...what are your thoughts about the next 40 day challenge?

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Day #22

I am getting a sense at how challenging it will be to make fresh smoothies on school mornings when I teach yoga. I am thinking that I will double my batch the day before and store one for the next day. Otherwise I will not have time to mix one up before I need to be out the door. And I find that I prefer to drink them solo in the AM rather than later in the day. Although, it would be the perfect lunch at school.
I continue to rave about the pineapple to everyone and I would have to say that carrot tops are my favorite green so far.
How are you doing?

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Day #21

OMG!!! We added fresh pineapple to the usual concoction and it was DELICIOUS! Try it, you will like it!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Day #20!!!

Wow! I find it hard to believe that we have been at this for 20 days. It seems like only yesterday that I posted the suggestion on the white board at Center. And, I find it interesting that I have been consuming green smoothies for 20 days. They are now a fixture in my day as is kombucha. So I feel like I am on my way to making this practice a habit.
What do you think so far? Will you continue? Have you convinced others to take the challenge?

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Day #19

This morning the smoothie was a dark green and crunchy...MMMMMgood! I did not add any berries, I just used the juice made from apples, pears, and kiwis. The crunch was made by almonds. I can't decide if I like the almonds or cashews better. Has anyone tried walnuts?
We are nearly 1/2 way done. Is anyone tired of the practice yet? Are you feeling any different? Please post your thoughts/feelings/experiences. We are interested and we do learn from each other.
Keep warm,
Geri

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Day #18

Just consumed a leftover smoothie for breakfast. While I know that fresh foods quickly lose nutritional value when exposed to light, heat, coolness, etc. I believe that a day-old smoothie is far more nutritious than a day-old doughnut. What are your thoughts?
Sweet Little Flower shared a book with me titled 'Simple Food'. My favorite thought provoking quote so far is, "Cooked, canned or frozen foods are embalmed dead foods." Reactions?