Green Smoothies!

Over Labor Day weekend, I took off a few shows and the boyfriend and I visited my mom.  She wanted to celebrate "Christmas in September" since she had recently bought me a gift that she just couldn't wait to give.

It was my very own Vitamix high-speed blender! I can't tell you how ecstatic I was to receive such a thoughtful gift, along with other fun stuff like huge sacks of organic goji berries and cacao nibs, and jars of spirulina and acai powder, to add to the green smoothies I'd be making with help from the Victoria Boutenko books Green for Life and Green Smoothie Revolution.

Mum began making daily smoothies last year and it's changed her life.  Each time I visit or spend the night at home with her, I wake up to a delicious breakfast smoothie that leaves me energized and not feeling hungry until evening.  That's the part that most amazed me about the smoothies.  I always knew I wanted a Vitamix, but once I got a taste of the smoothies and their benefits, I knew I needed one, and soon.  I am so lucky to have such an awesome mother!

I immediately went to the farmer's market by my job and loaded up on avocadoes, bananas, pears, apples, figs, kale, spinach, parsley, you name it.  Instead of following the book's recipes for my first few goes, I created my own, which follow.

Take One:

• 1 Gala apple
• 1 banana
• 2 figs
• whole head red leaf lettuce
• 1/2 avocado
• 2 tbsp cacao nibs
• 2 c. water

I liked this smoothie, it was very light with mild flavors, not very sweet.  My boyfriend may have found it too "green," though.  I sought to change that with...

Take Two:

• 2 Bosc pears
• 1 banana
• 1 small lemon, peeled
• 2 c. packed spinach
• 1/4 bunch parsley
• 1" piece of ginger
• 2 c. water

I nicknamed this "Pearsley," it's a keeper!  Absolutely delicious and refreshing with some bite from  the ginger and peppery parsley.  I'm not up for posting a picture right now, but if you know your nail polishes, the color is a dead ringer for OPI Green-wich Village, which I'm currently wearing.

This gift was in perfect timing because it is Fashion Week, and I've happily secured a lot of work this season.  However, usually that means having no time to eat and getting the shakes from low blood sugar, then having to buy a tube of glucose tablets because I forgot to pack some in my bag.  Today I was up at 4AM for a 5:30 call at Lincoln Center, and had my smoothie on the way.  I was able to go almost all day powered by this smoothie... getting home for the night finally well after midnight.  To make a smoothie for the next day takes about 5 minutes total, and that includes prepping the ingredients and cleaning the blender.  This is the best gift I've gotten in a while.  Thanks, Mum!