Healthy Greens On St. Patty's Day

St. Patrick's Day is falling on a Friday this year, you can bet that a lot of green beer will be consumed. Is green beer your thing? It's definitely not mine. I thought instead I would share some beneficial green foods to help you optimize your health.

Green Smoothie

• 2 cups frozen peaches

• 2 cups of frozen peas 

• 2 cups filtered water

• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil or MCT oil 

Blend all the ingredients in a high-speed blender (such as a Vitamix or Nutri-bullet).

Cream of Cucumber Soup

• 1 ½ cups chopped romaine lettuce

• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped

• ½ cup water

• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon crushed garlic

• ½ avocado, chopped

• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh herbs (dill, mint, tarragon, cilantro) or one teaspoon dried

Put the lettuce, cucumber, water, lemon juice, garlic, and salt in a blender and process on medium speed until smooth.  Add the avocado and oil and process until smooth.  Add the herbs and process just to mix.  Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator, this soup will keep for 2 days.

Throw this into a mason jar and have it for lunch any day!

Simple Guac

• 2-3 ripe avocados

• sugar-free organic salsa

• fresh lime juice

Mash up the ripe avocados, mix in salsa to taste (and squeeze in some lime juice if using) and you are done.  Avocados are incredibly nutrient-dense and have healthy fats (great for brain and hormone health).  I like to eat mine with gluten free flax seed crackers, but it's so good I'll eat it with a spoon.