SS&GF: Simply Sugar and Gluten Free

Green smoothies have become a staple in my daily diet – at first out of necessity.  Today I wouldn’t want to go without one.  I experienced severe digestive issues for quite some time.  After trying the more conventional recommendations of eating more fiber, more whole grains, acidophilus, and increased water intake with no success I decided it was time to visit my doctor.  I was then referred to a specialist who ruled out intestinal obstructions and a slew of diseases, I was told that I’d just have to be on medication for the rest of my life.

That did it for me.  I am just not willing to live that way.

I started looking for different answers.  If you read my blog regularly, you know I’m slow to make any big dietary changes and I do my research first.  Fad diets and quick fixes don’t interest me.  I’ve been reading Ali & Tom’s blog, Whole Life Nutrition, for quite some time and though our culinary perspectives are different I trust and respect their methods.  Based on what I read on their blog, I thought that maybe there was something in my diet that was causing my digestive system to slow way down.

I ordered their book, The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook, and started incorporating green smoothies in my daily diet.  The first two weeks were challenging as I was more than a little bloated. The smoothies actually help kill off the bad bacteria in your gut and then help the good bacteria grow.  Ali assured me that in a couple of weeks I’d feel great.  Maybe I kept drinking them out of desperation, but am so grateful I did.  My digestive system works perfectly now, with no need for any meds at all.

I know that there are women everywhere struggling with the same problems – Activia is mass marketed and there are tons of over-the-counter products aimed specifically at aiding women’s digestion.  This is a simple and healthy way to correct any digestive issues – that actually heals instead of causing harm or masking the problem.

You can read Ali’s post on Green Smoothies, which is what I started with.  Below is my personal favorite mix right now.  Ali says the greener, the better.  I couldn’t agree more.  But, if you are a little hesitant start with less greens and work your way up.

Apples and pears are on the Environmental Working Group’s top 12 list of crops with the highest levels of pesticides so I buy organic when they’re available.

Reminders:

Slightly Indulgent Mondays is now Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays. Come back tomorrow and link your healthier recipe.  I can’t wait to see what you’ve been making over the last week.

Holiday Food Fest is Thursday and I’m hosting!  It’s time to show off your cocktails, mocktails, and appetizers.  Link them up or just drop by and say hello.  You won’t want to miss this week’s give-aways.  Honeyville Grain is giving away two fabulous prizes – a 5 pound bag of almond flour and a gift assortment of their top-quality flax seed, gourmet cocoa, and dried apples.

This post is linked to Real Food Wednesday – check out other great real food recipes there.

Printer-friendly recipe

Green Smoothies
makes 1 serving

1 organic apple or pear, quartered and cored
1/2 cup filtered water
2 big handfuls of organic spinach
2 big handfuls of kale
1 handful of parsley
10 mint leaves
additional filtered water

Put the apple or pear and 1/2 cup filtered water in the bottom of your blender or Vita-Mix.  Process until smooth and all traces of peel are gone.  Add spinach, kale, parsley, mint leaves, and process again.  Add more water if necessary to reach desired consistency.