Culinary: Green Monster Smoothie.

Out with the holiday food and in with the fresh greens. No more excuses on eating unhealthy. The holidays are over and we're regretting those late night trips to the fridge to sneak a slice of pumpkin pie and your favorite jeans hate you for it. Yeah, sorry jeans but nothing like a new year to get you started on healthy eating. I'm very thankful that I grew up with an extremely health conscious Mother so I have accumulated an extensive repertoire of recipes. My problem right now though is still feeling a bit overindulged by all the food I've eaten over my holiday break so I figured the best way to begin my year is with some detoxing. 

I have tried many detox treatments and have found that the ones I can make in my own kitchen are the best because I know exactly what is going into it. No hidden ingredients and I can add or take away what I like and dislike. Like I have said, I have experimented with many recipes and have found some fantastic ones and ones that make me want to just give up on life altogether. So here is a great recipe that I have tried and will definitely be adding to my collection. It's easy, the taste is good, and I feel extremely refreshed drinking this in the morning. 

Yields: 3 Servings:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup kale
• 1 large Gala apple (or other sweet apple), roughly chopped
• 1 English cucumber, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
• 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
• Maple syrup, to taste
• 4-5 Ice cubes
• Protein powder, (optional)

Place all ingredients except maple 

syrup and ice into a 

high-speed blender 

and blend on high until 

very smooth. 

Blend in ice and maple syrup to taste. 

(Instead of maple syrup, I enjoy using agave syrup instead.

The taste is sweet without being overpowering)

Now, drink, enjoy and feel amazing!

(Original recipe: here)