There’s no denying that I’m a morning person. I love to rise early and if I’m well rested, it’s easy to do. Waking before the sun. Sneaking into the kitchen. Turning on the espresso machine and lighting a candle. It’s one of the quiet times in our busy household. I can spend a few silent moments reading and remembering what I’m thankful for. Or I can take a walk during the time when the sky is the most amazing. Those moments really ground me for the entire day and I’ve come to depend on them. When I skip my morning ritual, I really miss it and I feel out of sorts. It’s one more form of structured framework that I live within and benefit from.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturalmom/ / CC BY 2.0
But this post is not only about being an early bird, it’s about the recommendation from the food and drug administration that came out nearly twenty years ago which suggested that we all eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. After I was diagnosed with cancer, a dietician upped that recommendation to 9 a day and frankly, that can be challenging. Then I met an incredible old soul online named Dhrumil Perohit. Dhru calls himself a raw food sherpa and works to educate others on the benefits of a diet that is made up exclusively of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds (oh and chocolate).
flickr.com/photos/ilovemypit/CC BY 2.0
One of the tricks of raw foodists is the green smoothie and it works equally well for those of us who aren’t raw foodists. With the purchase of my Vitamix 5200, I find it simple to have at least 5, 6, 7 or all 9 fruits and veggies every morning before I go to work. Smoothies are a fabulous way to incorporate more greens into a diet and you can do so by masking the flavor with fruits such as strawberries, oranges and bananas. I’ve definitely made a few that were hard to get through but after a bit of experimentation, I’m pretty good at this and am getting to the point where the kids will always at least try it. A green smoothie and a prayer are a great way for me to begin my day.
What morning ritual might you perform that will increase your opportunities for a successful and productive day?
- 2 medium carrots chopped in large chunks
- 3 oranges or clementines
- a giant helping of locally grown greens (I prefer spinach, collards or swiss chard)
- 1 cup of frozen fruit (strawberries, bananas, pineapple, mango – suit to your own taste)
- About 8 oz of water
Put all ingredients into a blender and blend baby blend. The Vitamix works wonders. You can also add any other fruit and veg to experiment; beets, celery, pears, fennel, and berries have all worked well for me. If it’s too bitter, sweeten with agave.
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Carrie (Love Healthy Living)
/ May 16, 2010I love green smoothies and I commend you for fueling your body with so many vegetables. I’m working my way up to that much. 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ May 16, 2010Thanks Carrie. If I don’t do it in the morning, it’s sometimes really hard for me to get them in during the day and evening.
fiveshadesofgreen
/ May 16, 2010Hi Tammy,
I see that we are fellow green smoothie compatriots! There’s nothing better in my opinion. I’ll usually have a green smoothie for breakfast, lunch, and snack. 🙂 I have bookmarked your blog and already know I’ll love your entries.
Lisa
Tammy McLeod
/ May 16, 2010Thanks Lisa and welcome. Feel free to share your best concoctions!
croquecamille
/ May 16, 2010A big glass of fruits and vegetables sounds like a great way to start the day! I dream of one day owning a Vitamix. Lucky! 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ May 16, 2010Yeah! I bought it at Christmas time, put it in the garage and told my boys just to put a bow on it for me. Everyone was happy.
nrhatch
/ May 16, 2010A good friend is on the Halleluiah Diet ~ all vegan, lots of raw foods . . . and carrot juice to drink.
She juices 25 pounds of carrots every 2-3 days and drinks 48 oz. of carrot juice a day.
She’s lost weight and feels better . . . but she’s turning orange. : )
I like your “recipe for life” a bit better ~ more variety.
Tammy McLeod
/ May 16, 2010ewwww. I guess it doesn’t surprise me that she’s turning orange but I’ve never thought about it.
Kathleen
/ May 16, 2010I think we all have our times that we feel helps us in the day. The smoothie sounds good! Thanks for sharing. blessings,Kathleen
Tammy McLeod
/ May 21, 2010You are welcome, Kathleen.
TCG
/ May 16, 2010Hey Tammy,
Can’t wait to try that recipe. I’m also a lover of green smoothies. Was a raw foodist for about 6 months last year, and physically, mentally, and spiritually, it was the absolute best that I’ve felt in my entire life! Was challenging though because of the preparation for myself and the cooking dinner for my family. (needed another 5 hours in the day)Am looking forward to getting there again sometime this year again. But until then, green smoothies is the closest thing to it!
Roz in Las Vegas
Tammy McLeod
/ May 17, 2010Hi Roz,
Same with me. It’s hard with a family but I agree that the feeling is amazing.
suzi banks baum
/ May 17, 2010MMMMMMM…I think it is time for a Vitamix in this household. We love smoothies, but can’t get all the bigger stuff smooth enough!
I have a really steady morning practice that involves being up and alone before my kids are up. My Hub goes swimming really early so I use the time alone to do my Jade Goddess practice and meditate, do a little yoga and when I am really set up right with time, I drink a big glass of lemon water and do 45 minutes of journal writing. Lately I break that all up with getting the kids going and off to school with lunches…then I write. Then to work.
Hugs to you. I love reading your blog. Our CSA is about to open again. I am so looking foward to the veggies!
Love, S
Tammy McLeod
/ May 17, 2010Wow. That sounds perfect. No wonder you seem so grounded.
Lisa H
/ May 17, 2010My favorite time of day is the morning also. Now that the afternoons are reaching into the high eighties, I spend my time in the garden and yard in the cool mornings. It’s a quiet time in the neighborhood and my way of meditating. Then the kids come out to play, which is a great way to start the morning before school. We are all happier, more relaxed and ready to start our day on a positive note.
Your smoothie sounds really great. I will have to give it a try. However, I do love my freshly ground cup of coffee that my husband fixes every morning. Smoothies just don’t have that wonderful aroma that permeates the kitchen like a great pot of coffee.
Tammy McLeod
/ May 18, 2010Hi Lisa,
Note that I do turn on that espresso machine first thing!
devana
/ May 17, 2010Hi Tammy,
Greens Smoothies are so healing and delicious!
I definitely recommend them to everyone I work with.
They are like this burst of freshness that nourishes every cell of the body.
Great post.
~ Ana
Tammy McLeod
/ May 18, 2010Thank you Ana and thanks for visiting my blog.
Judy Swartz
/ May 17, 2010Hi Tammy,
We’ve owned a Vita-Mix for about 20 years now (since I worked the APS trade show at the State Fair!) and wouldn’t live without one. On days when we have baseball or karate, the family dinner is a juice drink. When the kids are bored with cereal, they have a protein drink.
I’ve never tried greens, but do love the carrots. Thanks for introducing a new idea to an existing habit!
Love, Jude
Tammy McLeod
/ May 18, 2010No wonder you’ve always seemed so healthy!
Dhrumil
/ May 18, 2010: )
Tammy McLeod
/ May 19, 2010😉
Julie
/ May 18, 2010Hi, Tammy,
Mornings do trump, don’t they? 🙂 THE best time of day… Everything’s pristine clean, new, fresh, and you’re the only one in the entire world. Ahhh…
I need a Vitamix. Everywhere I turn I see the signs. And everyone speaking “raw.” Always a healthy eater, I’m starting to clean up my act even more. Thanks for the wonderful-sounding recipe and the link to a “guru.” You do inspire!
Tammy McLeod
/ May 21, 2010As do you! I love your new pic.
dayphoto
/ May 19, 2010I love getting up early in the morning…I always have even from babyhood. It is the best part of the day. Then the evening twilight is a close second. Or the world right after a rain shower.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
Tammy McLeod
/ May 20, 2010Yes. I did an earlier post on rain in the desert. It’s a wonderful time.
littlehousesouthernprairie
/ May 20, 2010Thanks for this reminder to get my juicer out of the closet!
Tammy McLeod
/ May 21, 2010Juicers can be a lot of work to get out and set up. I have to get and stay in routine.
Laura S
/ May 20, 2010A midday ritual would be useful too, once all that morning bliss has worn off. Sometimes it wears off earlier than midday, of course. Like by 9:30.
I have a small bottle of peppermint essential oil at my desk that I sometimes take out and uncap to get fresh air and perk me up in the afternoon. I would love to incorporate that into a midday ritual, along with something that gets me — at least briefly — out of my chair and unglued from my computer screen.
Tammy McLeod
/ May 21, 2010Peppermint oil is a good idea. There are also a few books (and I’m sure internet resources) on office yoga. Just an idea.
Simply Life
/ May 20, 2010I’m with you and love waking up before everyone else and starting the day nice and slowly! 🙂
Tammy McLeod
/ May 21, 2010Enjoy.
GKH
/ May 21, 2010Those green smoothies don’t look so good but they do taste ok – sometimes.
Tammy McLeod
/ May 21, 2010And they make you grow bigger and stronger and that is a good thing.
calvinhamilton
/ May 21, 2010Love them if you make them!
Tammy McLeod
/ May 21, 2010This lives in perpetuity.
ozarkhomesteader
/ May 21, 2010Tammy, you’re reminding me that I was planning on eating a lot of smoothies now that fresh fruit is coming into season here. I like sweetening mine with carrot juice–but not enough to make me orange. 🙂
nursemyra
/ May 21, 2010I’m so not a morning person – but I do love a green melon, mint, kiwifruit and apple smoothy to start my day
farmersouth
/ May 21, 2010What a great way to use up that extra Swiss chard from the garden! We can almost never eat it all. I wonder what adding a little hot pepper might do.
Tammy McLeod
/ May 22, 2010Well, I would love a little hot pepper but it’s not for everyone. Thanks for stopping by.
Rosa
/ May 24, 2010That is one healthy smoothie! I bet you get enough energy for a whole day in this wonderful cocktail of vitamins!
Cheers,
Rosa
iniyaal
/ May 25, 2010The receipe defintely sounds healthy. I am giving it a try today 🙂
I love your arrangement of berries and greens. very creative.
Tammy McLeod
/ May 26, 2010Thanks for visiting. I cannot take credit for the lovely photo. It’s by Tiffany Washko (hope I’ve spelled that right). I follow her on twitter and she was kind enough to have posted some of her lovely photos on flickr’s creative commons.
poxacuatl
/ May 25, 2010Oh, yes, I’m a morning person too! Not always, though. As a teen I was a night owl. But I don’t think even the most beautiful dusk can rival the dawn. Anyway, my successful morning consists of going for a run! It only takes some time of effort before it becomes automatic. So practice makes habit ;^)
Hopes for your healing,
Strix/Poxacuatl 😉
Tammy McLeod
/ May 26, 2010Yes, there is great freedom within discipline.
lonnapea
/ May 26, 2010What a great recipe! Thanks for the comment! 😉
Tammy McLeod
/ May 26, 2010You are welcome. It’s a great way to get through some of that CSA in a hurry.
lizandstevedooley
/ May 26, 2010I love what you’re doing here, Tammy! You’ve inspired me to throw some delicious CSA spinach in my smoothie this morning!
Tammy McLeod
/ May 26, 2010Thank you and thanks for the visit.
Estrella Azul
/ May 28, 2010Oh my, adapted this recipe to my tastes of “greenery” and it’s great! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
And I admire that you’re a morning person!
(Especially cause I’m the opposite… even more so when someone wakes me…)
Tammy McLeod
/ May 28, 2010The smoothie should work for you at any time of day. I’m glad that you adapted it. That’s the point. I’ve even made savory ones later in the day with tomatoes, cucumbers and spices – a drinkable gazpacho.
missy
/ May 28, 2010Thankyou for this post Tammy – I too am a morning person and love the quiet peacefulness of the world at that time before the girls get up and things get ‘busy’.
I’m still working on purposefully getting up early EVERY day rather than just exercise t days, but soon it will come (once baby is sleeping better I’ll have no excuse!), you’re right – days that I do make the effort seem so much more grounded than the days I don’t.
Tammy McLeod
/ May 28, 2010In time…
I don’t get up early if I really need the sleep. Today I got up at 4:45, did my run and worked out and went right back to bed until 9. It was glorious too.
sustainablegrub
/ May 29, 2010Tammy,
I love that you begin the day fully in the moment. Cancer survivors teach us so much about how to be grateful for each moment, thanks for that.
scrumptious
/ May 31, 2010I am so convinced that having a VitaMix will change my whole life! Alas I may have a long time to wait for this life-changing experience. (My boyfriend and I often joke about getting married just so we can register for a VitaMix.)
Your smoothie sounds amazing! I will bookmark the recipe and put it in my hope chest…
spotlesssoul
/ June 5, 2010Waking up early in morning always induces so much fresh energies in us!=) engulfing our soul with positive layers.
And this sounds delicious!:) I’ll try it soon.
And yes, fruits are best thing for me to eat in world :p
Oh n Btw, ermm, get well soon!:) Be well and bless thee!
Tammy McLeod
/ June 5, 2010Yes, very good for the soul. I am well.
mmountcastle
/ June 10, 2010Tammy,
Just saw this post– I am also a huge fan of the green smoothie and having a quiet start to my morning– I have found that without the green smoothie my energy level goes way down–
love your blog!
Warmly,
Megan
Tammy McLeod
/ June 10, 2010Thanks much Megan. Would love to trade favorite green smoothie recipes.
ashrowell
/ June 12, 2010This was a beautiful post describing how you take the early morning in- I wish I was a naturally early morning person. I can’t wait to try this smoothie!
Tammy McLeod
/ June 12, 2010Thanks for visiting Jane. Smoothies are good any time of day.
isathreadsoflife
/ June 29, 2010What a wonderful and tasty start of the day ! I will try your smoothie, thank you for the recipe. I love spinach, céleri branches, carrots and apples. We are so lucky to have a great choice of veges and fruits at this Season !
Tammy McLeod
/ June 29, 2010Nice to hear from you Isa. You can make them with a lot of different things and yes, this is the perfect season.
Tammy McLeod
/ May 26, 2010Wow, you’re sort of an expert blogger in the way your post appears as a comment here. I’ve got a lot to learn in terms of technical skill.