Green Goddess Breakfast Shake

                                 

                     My Green Goddess Shake!

Last year I started replacing my breakfast with shakes.  I love it because I can get in 5-7 servings of fruits/veggies in this one glass of goodness! Plus, I've noticed a difference in my skin and on the scale.  I am a huge fan of shakes!  I use the Nutribullet.  I've had mine for a year using it daily and the blades are still super sharp.

When a client wants to lose weight, one of the first things I suggest is replacing their breakfast with a veggie/fruit packed shake.  The variations are endless but the results are the same; dramatic increase in vegetable and fruit consumption, increase in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory intake, increase in fiber intake (which leads to longer satiety), and generally weight loss (when in conjunction with other life-style changes)-just to name a few.

Here's what I put in my Green Goddess Shake:
1/4 of an avocado
1/2 C Kale
1 Pear
1 Green Apple
1/2 Banana
1 t. Ginger
1 C Almond milk
(amounts are estimates and can vary depending on personal preference)

Do you have a delicious shake recipe?  Post it here or email me and I'll share it on my blog!

XO  Joy

Lemon Water...Liquid Gold

Hot lemon water is all the rage now a days.  It's touted for so many benefits, some anecdotal and some scientifically proven.  I've loved lemons from an early age.  I used to peel them and eat them like oranges!  I believe you'll reap the benefits whether you prefer you fresh lemon juice in hot water or cold water.  We tend to make things more difficult than they need to be at times.  As long as you're drinking it...you're good!

A few months ago I started drinking fresh squeezed lemon in my water every day.  I generally use the juice of one lemon.  I also like to throw the half of lemon in my glass.  That way I'm getting the benefits of the oil in the rind as well!  The rind has its own health benefits like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. If using the rind or peel of any fruit always buy organic.

Although we consider a lemon 'acidic', in our body it has an alkalizing effect.  Which is great! Most systemic inflammation and chronic issues come from a chronic acidic environment in our body. Nutrition (and stress reduction) is key to reducing systemic inflammation and encouraging an alkaline environment in our body.  Below are some of the benefits to squeezing some lemon in your water on the daily, whether hot or cold!

• Detoxifies the body
• Promotes alkaline environment
• Enhances mineral absorption
• Helps ease stomach discomfort (especially right after a high-fat meal)
• Promotes clearer skin

Those are just a few!  But with health benefits like that what's stopping you?  So next time you get yourself a glass of water, go ahead and squeeze some liquid gold in it ;)

Your health will thank you!

XO  Joy

Health Benefits Of Tea

If you don't drink tea, you are missing out on some major benefits. I didn't used to like it but because I knew how good it was for my health I made myself drink it. And now I love it! Like many things, it may be an acquired taste. But there are so many varieties (black, green, red, white, herbal) you are bound to find one you like. If you have to sweeten it then I recommend doing so with honey as opposed to sugar. With honey you are getting even more health benefits than table sugar. Regardless of the variety, all teas have amazing health benefits in varying amounts. Below is a list of what health pop you'll get no matter what color or how you take it.  If these aren't enough to persuade you to try consuming tea...I'm not sure what will! 

• Packed with polyphenols
• Contains antioxidants (which reduce risk of some cancers, reduce signs of aging,     inflammation, and the list goes on!)
• Increase mental altertness withought affecting the CNS so no jitters
• May lower LDL cholesterol
• Contains ECGC which studies show may increase metabolism
• Some contain vitamins
• Herbal tea's can help with everything from anxiety to an upset stomach
• May help with bad breath (certain antioxidants inhibit the plaque build up which causes bad breath)
• Many many more health benefits but too numerous to list 

Like with most foods, less processed is better. They still contain these properties but with lower concentrations. So avoid the 'flavored' or highly processed teas.
XO Joy