We all know stress is a killer. It can contribute to medical conditions, mental illness and just make you dread getting up in the morning to face another round of stress.
Today, more than ever, life is stressful. There never seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything done. We worry about our families, our finances and in today’s economy, about just being able to keep our jobs. Stress is a never ending vicious circle that we cannot escape! What we have to do is learn to cope.
Believe it or not, there are many vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that can help us de-stress. Some have a calming effect on the mind and body, and others just make us healthier so that we are mentally and physically fit enough to deal with stress. We get all of these benefits in Green Smoothies. When we rotate our fruits and vegetables, we are giving our bodies a healthy sampling of everything it needs. There may be many veggies that we don’t like and normally would not eat. The benefit of Green Smoothies is that we can eat them and we don’t even have to taste them!
When we have Green Smoothies for one or two meals a day and maybe a snack, we have just reduced some of the day to day stress of living, by eliminating all the kitchen chores normally involved in preparing those meals!
The best time to have our de-stressing Green Smoothie snack is in the afternoon when we arrive home from work. Fix one of these great recipes, kick off the old shoes and lie back with a good book for an hour (or TV or whatever you find most relaxing). The good feelings this one simple thing generates are simply amazing. I find that I sleep better at night and feel better in the morning when I rise to do it all over again! Give it a try! Here are 10 recipes just perfect for de-stressing.
Easiest Ever Green Smoothie
Banana and strawberry flavors are hard to beat!
- 2 Bananas, frozen and peeled
- 1 cup Strawberries, frozen
- ½ large head Romaine Lettuce, chopped
- 2 cups Water
Blend and savor the flavor!
Just Another Easy Green Smoothie
Banana and orange, another classic combination!
- 2 Bananas, frozen and peeled
- 1 sup Strawberries, frozen
- 1 Orange, peeled and seeded
- ½ bunch each Kale and romaine Lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup Orange Juice, all-natural, unsweetened
Drink up, and get that Vitamin C fix!
Lessen the Stress Green Smoothie
Relaxing is not a problem when you are sipping on this one!
- 2 Bananas, frozen and peeled
- 1 Red or Yellow Apple, peeled, cored and chopped
- 1 Pear, peeled, cored and chopped
- 3 handfuls Collards or other Greens, chopped
- 2 cups Water or Crushed Ice
Whirl this one and enjoy!
Very Veggie De-Stressing Green Smoothie
De-stressing has never been so easy, as it is with this delightful smoothie!
- 2 Bananas, frozen and peeled
- 3 Red or Yellow Apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- ½ cup Carrots, chopped
- 1 bunch each Dandelion Greens and Romaine Lettuce
- 1 handful Arugula or other Green Leaf Lettuce, chopped
- 1 handful Cilantro, chopped
Give it a whirl and sip, sip, sip!
Ultimate De-Stress Green Smoothie
If you only knew how great you’ll feel after this one!
- 1 Banana, frozen and peeled
- 1 Orange, peeled and seeded
- ½ Apple, peeled, cored and chopped
- 1 Pear, peeled, cored and chopped
- ½ Mango, peeled, pitted and chopped
- 1 handful Baby Spinach, chopped
- 2 handfuls Dino Leaves or Kale, chopped
- 1 cup Coconut Water (Water or Crushed Ice also work)
You might add ginger, cinnamon, pineapple, coconut meat, lemons or limes to taste.
Meal in a Glass Green Smoothie
Stress will flee and you’ll feel full and happy, too!
- 2 Tomatoes, chopped
- 1 Cucumber, peel intact, chopped
- 1 Avocado, peeled and pitted
- 2 Limes, peeled and seeded
- Coconut Meat, small piece
- 4 cloves Garlic, fresh and crushed
- 3 cups Kale, chopped
- ½ cup Broccoli Sprouts or frozen Broccoli Florets
- 1 tsp. Sea Salt
- 2 cups Water
- 1 cup Crushed Ice
Puree this smooth and creamy smoothie!
Strawberry Stress Relief Green Smoothie
Simple and easy strawberries and peaches, yum, yum!
- 2 cups Strawberries, frozen
- 1 Peach, peeled and pitted
- 4 handfuls Kale, chopped
- 2 tbsps. Hemp, Flax or Sesame Seeds
- 2 cups Crushed Ice
No Stress Strawberry Green Smoothie
Nectar adds that extra punch of sweetness and fruit flavor.
- 1 Banana, frozen and peeled
- 1 Peach, peeled and pitted
- 2 ½ cups Strawberries, frozen
- ½ cup Strawberry Nectar
- 3 handfuls Baby Spinach, chopped
- 2 cups Crushed Ice
Blend and upend!
Done Gone Bananas Green Smoothie
If you are bananas for bananas, you will love this one!
- 3 Bananas, frozen and peeled
- ½ bunch Romaine Lettuce, chopped or torn into pieces
- 2 cups Water or Crushed Ice
A few mint leaves make a big splash in this smoothie!
Tropical Ginger Green Smoothie
A truly relaxing tropical treat!
- 1 Mango, peeled, pitted and chopped
- 1 cup Pineapple, peeled and cored
- ¼ cup Coconut, shredded and unsweetened
- 1 piece Ginger, fresh (1 inch piece) grated
- ½ bunch Romaine Lettuce
Add a tiny umbrella, sit back, relax and refresh!
