This vibrant apple ginger green smoothie is full of fresh flavors and has plenty of protein to give you lasting energy all day long.
As we enter the last week of January, I thought it would be a good time to discuss turning New Year’s resolutions into permanent lifestyle changes. Although I didn’t begin my weight loss journey in the month of January, I know first hand how much work and commitment it takes to live a healthier life. I also know a thing or two about turning temporary resolutions into long term lifestyle changes since I have been able to keep the weight off for over 7 years.
With the timing of my second baby occurring right before the New Year’s resolution season, I am right there with much of the world battling a weight loss journey and trying to make positive changes to live a healthier life. Here are two of my best tips for keeping it up long after January has come and gone:
Think Ahead: Planning is vital when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. From weekly meal planning, to creating an exercise schedule to making sure you have healthy snacks on hand, you must think ahead. By taking a few moments over the weekend or at the beginning of each day to plan ahead, you will save yourself time and frustration all week long. It might seem like extra work but the more you do it, the easier and more habitual it becomes.
Set Backs are Part of the Plan: While it would be wonderful to exercise an hour and eat 1500 organic calories every single day, life can get in the way of even the best laid plans. Between birthdays, holidays, weddings and other special occasions, life happens. By planning for these set backs, they will become part of the plan and not an excuse to throw in the towel and give up. The trick is to get back in the salad at your very next meal. Do not wait for Monday. Don’t even wait for the next day. Treat your next meal life Monday morning.
And now let’s talk about this gorgeous green smoothie. Isn’t the color stunning? I used a beautiful bunch of lacinato kale I had on hand as well as a good handful of parsley. If you’ve never tried parsley in a green smoothie, you must give it a shot. In addition to being full of vitamins and nutrients, it is a natural detoxifier. But really, I just add it because it adds a delicious, grassy background flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet apple and spicy ginger.
Your straw is waiting.
Apple Ginger Green Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 2 cups kale loosely packed stems removed
- 1 in apple core removed cut chunks
- 2 celery stalks quartered
- 1/2 banana
- 1/2 cup parsley
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1 inch piece ginger root quartered
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 1 cup water or lemon juice
- Ice to taste
Instructions:
- Place all ingredients except for the ice in a high speed blender and puree until smooth.
- Add ice to taste and pulse until creamy and smooth.
Trish
I didn’t use parsley or banana because I didn’t have them on hand, substituted spinach for Kale and thought it was yummy. Can’t wait to try it with parsley and banana:) It was a good change from my normal fruits:)
Liz DellaCroce
So glad you enjoyed it!
JozieLee
Not my thing. Little too pungent for me. I’m used to fruit smoothies, and this was too radical a change too fast for me.
Liz DellaCroce
So sorry you didn’t like it!