I am starting the new year with a couple get-healthy challenges.  My first one is a 30 Day Green Smoothie Challenge.  I found this particular challenge in the book, Green for Life, by Victoria Boutenko.  At the end of the 30 days there are 12 questions I am to answer to describe my experience.

The Challenge:  Drink a minimum of one quart of a green smoothie every day for 30 days.

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Ultimately my goal is improved overall health.

On page 72, the book states “that the consumers of green smoothies should expect:

• to have better absorption of valuable nutrients;
• to lessen the possibility of infection and parasites;
• to heal allergies;
• to improve overall health.”

I am starting today and will report on the results after 30 days by answering the 12 questions found on page 149.  I didn’t shop for produce to make the recipes provided in the book so I made today’s green smoothie with what I had on hand (recipe below).

30 Days of Green Smoothies here we go…

Day 1:  Kale-Blueberry Surprise

• 2 cups of 100% coconut water
• ~4-5 kale leaves ripped up
• ~1 cup of romaine ripped up
• 1 cup of frozen blueberries
• 4 strawberries (frozen)
• 1 kiwi (peeled, I didn’t have organic)
• 1 apple (medium in size and sweetness)

Directions:  Put into your blender in the order listed.  Blend well and use your tamper if necessary.  Pour and enjoy!

Yields:  About 6.5 cups (so that meets my 1 quart requirement)

I named this kale-blueberry surprise because kale and blueberries were the highest quantities of  any single ingredient.  I used surprise because I honestly didn’t know how this was going to taste.   I’m drinking it now.  It is a bit sweet, but I can’t quite place what dominates the flavor. I do like it though!

I would describe the color as deep purple.  To the left is an actual picture, what do you think?

I need to plan 2 – 4 smoothies for the next few days so that I can make sure I have the ingredients handy.

I have about a half glass left and day one of this challenge is done!

Cheers!