As many of you know, over the last year I have been on a journey to get healthy in a new way. I’ve been a vegetarian in the past. This was mainly spurred on by seeing a horrific video of cows being slaughtered which LITERALLY turned my stomach. I could not even LOOK at meat for the next 3 years. During this time period of being veggie I simply did not take the time to learn about nutrition and what it was my body needed. The result was a mixed bag of yo-yo weight gain and loss, emotional roller-coaster due to not eating right…and excessive exercising to try to balance myself out.
Well, a decade and a lot of self education later I am on an incredible journey of discovering what works for MY body and my overall balance and well-being. I’ve discovered that I do much better when I eliminate dairy (99%), white flour, sugar and gluten from my diet. After nearly one year on this diet, I am feeling healthy. Probably healthier than I have ever felt.
One of my first changes learning about the AMAZING benefits of dark leafy greens and was adding green smoothies to my diet. I took lots of notes from the work of the Boutenko family. Here is a bit about the family from their fabulous site the RawFamily.com:
“We are the Boutenko family, also known as the Raw Family. The four of us embarked on a diet of entirely raw foods in 1994, when we became seriously ill. Victoria had arrhythmia and edema and was obese and depressed. Igor suffered from painful rheumatoid arthritis and had severe hyperthyroid. Sergei was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes and was supposed to go on insulin. Valya had asthma.”
You can read much more of their journey on their site. I highly recommend this site as a starting point if you are interested in raw foods.
Here is a quick green smoothie recipe that is great to get anyone on the raw green journey by ADDING something amazing before feeling like you have to take something away. I bet you will feel absolutely FABULOUS!!!
A Few Green Smoothies
Basic Balance
Victoria Boutenko
1 mango
1 cup kale
1 cup water
Yields 1 quart
The Laughing Gorilla (great for kids)
Valya Boutenko
½ head romaine lettuce
2 ripe bananas, peeled and frozen
2 oranges, peeled, seeds removed
1 mango
2 cups water
Yields 2 quarts
Warning: consumption of smoothie may result in spontaneously occurring, extremely contagious gorilla laughter
Some great raw sites to get you going:
Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen
p.s. I am not 100% raw, nor am I making any dietary recommendations. I believe that you have to discover what works for YOU and your body!!!
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This post really speaks to me as I feel it mirrors my own journey into vegetarianism and deeper into raw foods, greens, environmental impact, weight loss and vibrant health. Sometimes its difficult when the world around us doesn’t support our choices, but its good to remember that its a personal choice and all that matters is how you feel. Thanks for sharing and inspiring!
You are so welcome…I completely agree about the importance of having a strong support system. Even if that is just 1-2 good friends who are interested in sharing the journey. I have found amazing site & others going on the raw food journey…here are some amazing site:
http://www.Rawmazing.com
http://ecomamasguidetolivinggreen.blogspot.com/
http://bittsblog.blogspot.com/
http://rawepicurean.net/
I look forward to sharing this journey with YOU as well
)
XOXO
Elena
Glad you are feeling better and drinking green smoothies!
Thanks for mentioning my blog. Much appreciated.
You are very welcome. I really do treasure all of the work you & others do to share your raw journey. This is an amazing community & I look forward to us growing together.
XO
Elena
Thanks for the post! I was inspired to start drinking green smoothies a few years ago, after reading Victoria Boutenko’s book. I can tell the difference when I haven’t had my smoothie “fix”. As Victoria said, I actually start to crave greens. (I never would have imagined that in the past). Keep sharing your story, and the great recipes.
I was raw for awhile, but you’ve definitely sparked my interest in going at least 80% raw again. I do remember feeling absolutely wonderful!