We are Amy and Gail Shingler, sisters-in-law and friends!

We are passionate about living authentic and intentional lives!

We are enthusiastic about healthy eating!

We created a space to share our favorite recipes & the life philosophies from which they stem!

Our desire is to inspire,

may you be edified by what you read here!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Got Greens?



Creepy?  No, green is the new sexy!  This is the love of my life and he loves him a green smoothie.  The other day I had to snap this photo because we had just made green smoothies and we heard a knock at the door.  After visiting with a buddy Brad rejoined us and I asked him, "Did you scare any young children?  Have you seen your pearly greens?"  When he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror I think we laughed until we cried (or peed our pants) whichever comes first these days.


Green smoothies are a great way to get your greens when you are on the go.  I am a big promoter of chewing your greens but this is another alternative.  My kids will ask me for one and it makes my heart do a pitter patter when I see a green mustache on their sweet lips.  Instead of "Got milk?", I want to scream from the roof tops, "Got Greens?"


Let me tell you the basics I put in my green smoothies:

Green Smoothie Basics:
2 cups of water or unsweetened almond milk ( I prefer vanilla) or a combination of both
1 banana
1+ cups frozen fruit ( my kiddos love blueberries because they mask the green color)
Greens (spinach is a fav), fill the rest of the blender with them 


You will not taste the spinach, I promise.  If you doubt me, just start out with a little less greens and work your way up.  Add extra liquid or more frozen fruit if the consistency needs to be tweaked to your satisfaction.


Optional add-ins:
1 scoop protein powder (Vega Vanilla is one of my favorites)
1 tsp ground Amla Powder (from the Indian Gooseberry - Indian stores carry it, it is cheap, and it is off the charts high in antioxidants - give it try.  For more fascinating information about Amla click here
1 Tbsp Ground Flax Seeds  (high in omega 3s, lignans, and fiber)
1 tsp Cinnamon (helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and helps our metabolism, also high in antioxidants)
a little squirt of agave nectar to sweeten the deal (especially for the kiddos)

I blend until my heart is happy...it doesn't take long! 

4 comments:

  1. thank you amy! i love your writing style! thanks brad for looking like a total creeper all for "THE CAUSE!" ;) can't wait to research amla powder! this is exciting!

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  2. I am goung to try this! Do you think kale or swiss chards would work well in place of spinach? I could easily go to the store for spinach but i have the others fresh in the garden.

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    1. Kale is probably the most nutrient dense, but be warned that it is a little more "green" tasting than spinach. Maybe start with a little less, maybe a handful or 2? The lemon cucumbers were so great. I had never tasted them. WoW!

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