Maintaining your health on a busy college schedule can be challenging. Running from place to place (and not for exercise) makes healthy choices hard and getting all the vitamins and minerals you need becomes even harder. Luckily, there is a green salvation that’s tasty and can be customized for all your qualms and health needs. Green juice is a nutrient-packed blend of vegetables and other nourishing supplements that can keep your vitality high and your immune system strong. The best part of making your own juices is incorporating vegetables and fruits that aren’t already a part of your daily diet, or veggies that you might not even like! We all have those foods.
Right?
The idea of green juicing does not have to be limited to a juicer. You can create yours by throwing ingredients into a blender and pulsing them into a beautiful smoothie. While juicing often allows you to experiment by combining many juices and flavors, blending allows you to retain the fiber in fruits and vegetables. This lets you add more beneficial fiber and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids–like chia or hemp seeds–and maintain the integrity of your produce! Fiber and protein always make a smoothie a more satisfying meal or snack.
And if all of those healthy words sound intimidating, just think: you will be eating as though you recently worked out, sans the work-out. Just name-drop some of those ingredients to your friends and they will be amazed at your new, healthy lifestyle. Not to mention you will be getting yourself one step closer to that summer-ready body.
In our quest to maintaining your health and helping others stay healthy along the way, we have complied a list of four green juices to help your body rejuvenate with a boost of nutrients you might be lacking!
Instructions for the four recipes: Combine all ingredients into a blender and pulse until veggies have liquefied and texture is smooth. For an added twist add your favorite nuts or additional green veggies (cucumber, broccoli, celery).
ENERGY
Green Matcha Smoothie: This natural Japanese green tea blend will give you a health boost of energy, without the caffeine jitter or afterward crash
Ingredients:
1 banana, frozen
1 stevia packet
2 handfuls of kale, or spinach
1 tbsp chia seeds
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp matcha powder
1 cup almond milk, or nut milk of choice
DETOX
Detoxifying Turmeric: Curcumin is an active ingredient in turmeric, which acts as an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial. It is detoxifying and promotes digestive health. This juice offers a powerhouse cleanse rich in manganese, zinc, B group vitamins, vitamins C and A, and iron.
Ingredients:
1 apple, cored
2 cups coconut water
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 piece of ginger (1 inch), peeled
1/2 piece of turmeric (1 inch), peeled
1 to 2 handfuls of leafy greens
1-2 tsp raw honey
PROTEIN
Protein & Green Goodness: Protein is vital, especially if your diet does not tend to include animal produce. We have created a green juice recipe that will provide you with just the right amount of protein. This smoothie can be drunk as a pre- or post-workout snack, too!
Ingredients:
2 cups kale
1 banana, frozen
1/2 cup blackberries, or blueberries
1-2 tbsp almond butter
1/2 cup Greek yogurt, or other yogurt alternative
2/3 milk, or milk alternative
1 tsp flax seed
1/2 tsp cinnamon
IMMUNE SYSTEM
Immunity Boosting: There’s always that time of the year when you get sick and can’t seem to get better no matter what you do or how many times you go to Baldwin. For those moments in life, we’ve come to save you with a healthy immunity booster. Say good bye to all the Emergen-C packets your mom sent you and say hello to a stronger immune system!
Ingredients:
2 cups spinach
2 cups orange juice
3 bananas
1/2 piece of ginger (1 inch), peeled
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cardamom
