Beet Greens Smoothie

We love beets, especially roasted. Until recently, I had never used the beet greens that often come with beets when you buy them at the Farmers’ Market even though I had known that they are edible.




After using beet greens the first time in a smoothie, I realized that I had made a huge mistake. Beet greens are very mild in flavor and make a delicious green smoothie. From now on, I’ll never waste beet greens again.

Beet Greens Mango Smoothie

• 2 – 3 cups chopped beet greens stems removed
• 1 banana
• 2 Tbs hemp seeds
• 1/2 – 1 cup frozen mango
• 1 1/2 cups water
• A little stevia (optional)

For several weeks, we weren’t able to go to the Farmers’ Market on Sundays, so we especially enjoyed our leisurely stroll through the market this week. In addition to the beet greens, we picked up some raw cheese, kale, lettuce, zucchini, mushrooms, radishes, local raw honey, and peaches.

Questions: Do you like beets? I love beets, but I used to seriously dislike them until I was about 30. I remember watching my mom eating beets when I was young, and I didn’t understand how she could eat them. She said, she didn’t like them until she was older and used to think the same thing about her mom. I guess it runs in the family… Have you ever used beet greens? If so, in what? Feel free to share a recipe! 

Be well,
Andrea

Afterschool Fun & More Conscious Cleanse Food

We took the kid and one of his friends to Gilroy Gardens after school. 2.5 hours flew by, and we did a lot as it wasn’t crowded. The boys had lots of fun and got tons of exercise; they were so exhausted that they fell asleep in the car on the way home.

Conscious Cleanse Update

Hubby and I are finally feeling great. But while I don’t mind being around food we can’t eat, hubby has a much harder time... For me the hardest part of the cleanse is always having a variety of cleanse-friendly food available and not getting bored. I miss my little go-to snacks, like almonds and a small piece of cheese or yogurt and fruit. At the same time, I know I was eating a bit too much dairy, so the cleanse is a great reminder to make plant-based foods the main part of our meals.

Most days still start with green smoothies. We have also had chia pudding (chia seeds, almond milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and a little stevia soaked overnight) a few times. I have found that the smoothies keep me full much longer. Plus, I love that we get so many greens in right in the morning. Instead of warm lemon water, we sometimes have room temperature water with a few drops of honey, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper. It tastes MUCH better than it sounds!

Conscious Cleanse Food On-the-Go

Here is food for a day ready to pack in a cooler: grapes, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, black bean hummus, and wild rice salad (wild rice, spinach, mushrooms, cilantro, parsley, mint, lemon juice, rice wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt, & pepper).



And here is some more food. Some meals may not follow the Conscious Cleanse  guidelines 100%, but overall they are cleanse friendly.

Hubby really wanted some Korean-style food. I’m not sure the kimchi (and some of the other foods) is Conscious Cleanse-approved, but he really enjoyed the meal and felt great afterward (a sign that it’s a good combination for him).

Questions: What’s your favorite vegetable at the moment? I really like Brussels sprouts right now and could eat them every day.  What’s your favorite fruit right now? I love all the cherries and peaches.

Be well,
Andrea