Smoothie Blending Basics

Blending Basics

The Base
As simple as blending sounds, when I first started I had no idea what I was doing. I blended  some vegetables and ended up with a thick soup like consistency. It took me a few attempts to realise that something was missing. Some sort of liquid base! Water was the obvious liquid of choice at first and then I began to experiment with coconut water and the nut milks such as almond, hazlenut, rice or oat. Now, I have discovered that water or coconut water is the most neutral liquid medium for making green smoothies and the ones I prefer the best. The key is to listen to your taste buds and find one that works really well for you.  Now is a good time to tell you that when I make all my smoothies, I make them dairy free and I stay away from the use of pasteurised fruit juices and I do not recommend putting any form of frozen yoghurt in to make them creamier. This can be done by simply blending the right fruits and leafy greens together with perhaps some avocado to add in those incredible fats.

You may be reading this and thinking what's wrong with using juice as a base? And might I say what a great question that is! If you look at the previous blog entry I have written on fibre, you will understand that if we juice fruit and add it as a base, you will lose the fibre benefit of that fruit from your smoothie drink. The very nature of a smoothie is the preservation of the whole fruit. However, that said, it is vital that you understand the following statement. Some people with serious health conditions will not be able to digest the smoothies due to their high fibre content and it is in this instance, that juices are advisable.  Again reference this dietary change with a health practitioner for best results and safety.

Blending Pointers for the Beginner.

It is good to be aware that certain vegetables taste better with some fruits more than others. This will be a case of trial and error at first, but do it is good to begin blending with one fruit with one leafy green and seeing how they tastes. You can always work up to more complex blends, but go easy at the beginning.

The combination of fruit and starchy vegetables are not as beneficial to health since they tend to produce the unpleasant side effect of generating gas when ingested.

It is worthwhile having some evaluation of the effect foods have in your digestive system. Different foods have different transit schedules, (the time it takes from entry to exit) and because they require varying acid/alkaline conditions, starch veg require digestion in the mouth, stomach and intestines, whereas fruit sugars are best absorbed in the intestines.

In relation to your green smoothie, leafy greens are not classified as a starchy vegetables, therefore combine beautifully with most other fruits.

If you are interested in finding out more, a very good book on the subject is Food Combining Made Easy, by Dr. Herbert Shelton.

Some examples of Starchy Veggies

Aubergine

Beetroot
Broccoli
Butternut Squash
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Carrots
Corn
Courgette
Green beans
Parsnips
Peas
Sweet Potato

While these vegetables are nutritious and beneficial for our health, they do not combine well with fruit due to their high starch content and I do not recommend their use.

If you would like to ask me any questions on any of the above, I would be delighted to answer them, so just drop me an email and I hope to be able to help you.

As always, I wish you excellent health and happiness.

Happy Blending!

Ruth.

Kicking Those Bad Food Habits

It may come as a surprise to some of you, but Christmas is over!!

I know how sad this will be for some people because it is such a fabulous time of year with food and friendly drinks abundant that many people find it a challenge to stop "treating" themselves well into January. So, I am here to tell you that without having to start a major detox (even though it's a pretty good idea too) is not always essential to help you break those habits that are no longer working in your favour. What are some of those bad habits I hear you ask? Well, dipping the hand into the tin of roses because they're nearly gone and you'd like them finished before you start, the slice of Christmas cake or pud with cream or custard after dinner because you're used to having a dessert after a meal or what about the more sugary cereal that you bought in for Christmas because you love it, but you've just been shopping and bought it again! While many of my friends consider me a person with excellent will power, even I delve in at Christmas.

I mentioned on my Facebook Page that over the last few weeks I had taken a break from having my own  morning green drink, but I am certainly worse off for letting it slide and I wanted to share the effects with you.

The following is a list of some of the observations I encountered by allowing my daily, morning green drink slide.

1. I most definitely had a dip in my own natural energy.

2. I started needing a coffee or other caffeinated drink to give me that pep in my step, rather than for enjoyment.
3. Craving more sugar in any form..honey, chocolate, fruit, bread (which converts to glucose)
4. Not sleeping as well.
5. Change in my overall PH levels, which I measure regularly.
6. Feeling less motivated to exercise.
7. Have had a heavy cold for over the past two weeks...Weakened immune system.
8. Not as many trips to the ladies! If you get my drift.

While this list is not an exhaustive one, I thought I would mention the more obvious symptoms that I experienced. I have been back on my morning green drink over the past week, and already, my sleeping patterns are returning to normal (my normal) and there has been an improvement in my energy levels.

I know it can be challenging to find leafy greens at this time of the year, but at the very least, keep the cucumber, celery, limes, an apple or pear and some spinach going. We learn by repetition which is why once we undo a good habit, it is easy to forget all the good it was doing us.

I also suggest that if you can't get yourself into the kitchen in the morning, that you at least have a shot of wheatgrass whenever you see somewhere offering them or add some greens to your drinking water using any of the organic powdered drinks available in your local health food store. This will start the green process going again and you will find yourself asking for more salad to be added to your plate and alfalfa to your sandwich.

Thankfully, I am back on track now and I won't be giving breaking that good habit up again in a hurry but I certainly felt the negative effects of not eating greens and I did not like it.

Make 2012 your year to add a good habit in and be prepared for great change!

Best wishes,

Ruth.