By Lindsay Osborn
This March I attended a medical conference in Houston. Little did I know then that this particular conference would make a huge impact on my life.
During an expo for drug companies and vendors, I came across a nice-looking man selling a Vitamix 5200, a blender that spins up to 240 miles per hour and blends just about anything…including something he called “green smoothies.” The demonstrator threw a banana, fresh pineapple, a whole orange (peeled but with seeds), a lime with the rind, carrots, a big ‘ol chunk of red cabbage and a huge handful of fresh spinach leaves into the blender. He said, “The red cabbage can help prevent prostate cancer,” at which point all I could think was, “Thank god I don’t have a prostate so I don’t have to drink this concoction!” But I patiently (skeptically) watched the blender turn its haphazardly combined insides into a frozen green concoction that looked like the color of, well, blended spinach! Then it was time for the moment of truth.
I took my sample with a smile…and just looked at it. Finally, I took a sip. My tongue expected a hold your nose and swallow experience but to my utter amazement, I loved it! My head swelled with the possibilities that lay before me. I could finally get more fruits and vegetables into my diet by taking just 5 minutes in the morning to throw them into the blender and simply hit a button before heading to work.
I have been blending up a storm ever since!
Here’s the recipe that won me over (serves 4). Blend everything except the spinach until just smooth. Then add the spinach, stir and blend until smooth.
1 Banana
2 Cups chopped pineapple
¼ Head of red cabbage
1 Lime (with rind)
2 Large carrots (unpeeled) broken into 4 pieces
1 orange (peeled)
2 Large handfuls of fresh spinach
Come back this week as I share more smoothie recipes. I would love to hear about your own recipes and experiences with green smoothies as well, so please share! Until next time…Happy Smoothing.
About Village Health Partners:
Village Health Partners is a Plano family medicine provider. Village Health Partners is committed to improving your health by focusing on prevention and overall wellness.
Our family medicine physicians and staff are here to get you back on track. From well child, well woman, physical exams, weight loss/management, flu shots, and urgent care needs, to more complex health issues including cardiology and physical medicine. Find out more at VillageHealthPartners.com and connect with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/VillageHealthPartners.
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