That was a mouthfull! Try saying that 5 times in a row! "Lean Green Machine detox smoothie...Lean Green Machine detox juice smoothie...Lean Green, oh you get the picture!
Looking to shed some pounds, feel lighter, feel internally cleaner, have clearer skin and a healthier overall glow?
Then you MUST try this "Lean Green Machine" Green Juice smoothie I've prepared for you!
This juice smoothie is PACKED with fibre, vitamins, water (your body is over 60% water - so you need to stay hydrated, always), minerals and yes, even essential oils!
Juicing is a little passion of mine. Selecting, washing, cutting, being mesmerized by nature's sometimes not-so-subtle geometric beauty when you slice open something like an apple or a juicy ripe orange, especially while slow-juicing in my Ariete, it is all actually meditative. It's a process that not only feeds my gut, it feeds my mind and soul.
When my boys say that they also want a juice, my heart sings! However, they never actually want the same green or detox juices as me, haha, however a simple orange/apple or orange/apple/carrot juice is always a big hit in my house! When grapefruits are in season, wow, the juices really start flowing. Grapefruits, oranges, plus a dash of doTERRA's lime essential oil, is an amazing citrus combo - deliciously arranged to lift our mood and entice our senses.
What is SO special about this smoothie? It's SUPER high in antioxidants! Take parsley for example. This simple fragile green herb that originates from the Mediterranean, is full of antioxidants, treats high blood pressure, allergies, heart disease and inflammatory diseases*. High in Vitamin C, an antioxidant, parsley helps support our immune system health and fight chronic diseases** Parsley is also a superstar performer, offering us Vitamin A, C and K (which helps bone formation and helps against cancer).***
Next, let's look at the incredible health benefits of the totally under-appreciated cucumber. It's chock-full of water which your body needs in order to stay hydrated. The water and fibre help you with digestion and proper bowel function, both of which may help in weight loss. It's also an excellent snack because it is really low in calories, just 45 calories in 1, 11-ounce cucumber. PLUS, rich in Vitamins A, B1, B6, C and D, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium. These minerals help muscles recover post-workout.
The classic orange, a standard in most smoothie recipes, is a rockstar! It contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, including Vitamin C, which we already mentioned strengthens our immune system and also helps keep our skin smooth. Oranges also contain Vitamin B, B vitamins are excellent for brain health and mood. Potassium and magnesium help with inflammation and stress. Plus, oranges are very tasty and low calorie options and just one medium orange has enough vitamin C for your daily intake.
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is a saying that most of us have grown up hearing. Well, it may hold a lot of truth! Apples are full of fiber, a type of fiber called pectin that acts as a prebiotic in the body, feeing our good bacteria. Apples are also high in water content, this combined with the prebiotic fibre, helps in weight maintenance or weight loss. Apples are a go-to for everyday because they may help us lower our risk for very serious diseases, such as cancer, heart disease as well as diabetes. Try to eat the whole apple, because that's where all the power is at! Peeling the skin will lessen its superpower abilities, since you will be reducing the fiber content.
Celery is another one of those really under-rated vegetables that can actually be a powerhouse in your weight loss toolbox! Celery is extremely high in water content and extremely low in calories - so it makes the perfect diet snack.
In my Lean Green Machine juice I combine some really special ingredients meant to detox the body systems, de-bloat the belly, keep the intestines running clean, PLUS majorly boosting the mood!
Here's a little rundown of all the goodness in this smoothie, and WHY these ingredients were chosen to cleanse, replenish and heal the body.
1. Parsley -
An antioxidant, antibacterial, green leafy herb extremely low in calories and really high in Vitamins A, C and K (great for bone health and blood circulation).
2. Cucumber -
Extremely hydrating, full of water, helping in weight loss and to regulate our bowl movements (water + fiber = help in the 'loo). Cucumbers are rich in Vitamins A, B1, B6, C, D, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium. Cucumbers are antioxidants, like many of the other ingredients in the Lean Green Machine.
3. Orange -
Oranges are full in Vitamin C. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system, keeps the skin smooth and elastic. Vitamin B, potassium and magnesium are also found in these gorgeous orange beauties. Acting as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, filled with fiber, it is low calorie and may be helpful in reducing our risk of cancer.
4. Apple -
Apples are superheroes! Apples are high in fiber and water which help us feel feel longer, aiding in weight loss. We've all heard that eating an apple a day keeps the doctor away, that's because apples might help in reducing our risk for diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Apples contain pectin, a fiber that acts as a prebiotic - it feeds the good gut bacteria. Apples are tasty, low cal, and excellent in juices and smoothies for adding flavour and fiber.
5. Celery -
This veggie is SO underrated! Celery is the perfect weight-loss snack since it is so full of water and only 10 calories per stalk! Celery is full of Vitamin C, beta carotene and flavonoids which act as an antioxidant. Celery reduces inflammation and supports digestion. It is low glycemic, which means it is steady on our blood sugar. PLUS, eat the leaves! Everyone throws them away but they are full of Vitamin C!
6. Carrot -
The mighty carrot is the NEW apple. Eat a carrot a day and your cancer risk might be lowered. Carrots are known for being kigh in Vitamin A, beta carotenes, This helps you develop good vision, growth, development and immune function. B Vitamins are helpful for fat and protein metabolism, which makes the carrot one of the perfect weight-loss foods! Women, listen up, carrots are also great for bone health and blood because of its Vitamin K.
So, that's all the good stuff that's in this green juice, or is it?? I haven't yet mentioned the rich essential oils that I LOVE to dash at the end of this juicing process. doTERRA's essential oils are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade. They help lift and balance our mood, and especially the citrus oils like lime and lemon, they also detox our systems as well as cleanse and refresh. Turmeric helps balance our hormones and act as an anti-inflammatory. The zest of the lime, plus the freshness of the lemon and the spice of the turmeric add lots of depth to this juice - plus a dash of sea salt and you've created a culinary masterpiece that your gut and brain will be so grateful for!
Lean Green Machine Recipe
1/2 bunch of parsley
1/2 large cucumber
1 medium orange, peeled
1 medium apple
2 stalks of celery
1 medium carrot
Simple wash and cut the above, slowly juice. Add a tiny pinch of sea salt to taste. Then, if you have them, use them, your doTERRA essential oils! One drop of each to add nutrition, health benefits, and mood boosting qualities.
1 drop of doTERRA Turmeric essential oil
1 drop of doTERRA Lime essential oil
1 drop of doTERRA Lemon essential oil
Make it and let me know how much you love it. Be sure to fill me in on the juices and smoothies you like to make at home! Just comment below.
Need these oils? Just send me a note here, or visit www.mydoterra.com/donnapoulidis
Enjoy!
Donna
* https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24374449 - Critique of medicinal conspicuousness of Parsley(Petroselinum crispum): a culinary herb of Mediterranean region.
** https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3783921/ - Vitamin C in Disease Prevention and Cure: An Overview
*** https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26468402 - The health benefits of vitamin K.