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Green Smoothies

Linwoods Healthy Super Foods: Superheroes in the Kitchen

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Linwoods Super Food ProductsLinwoods Super Food Products

Being a fan of health foods and healthy food products, I was ecstatic when contacted to do a review for Linwoods Super Food Products.

I was immediately sent a box containing a wonderful sampling of four of their products:

As you can see, my samples were in little bags that are kind of the size of tea bags. However, when you order any of these Linwoods Super Food Products, rest assured, you’ll receive the “grown up” versions!

I could list the number of different health benefits of these different super foods, but I’d much rather point you to the AMAZING information Linwoods has put together. When you visit their Health Benefits of Super Foods page, you’ll find an interactive manakin.  Click on any part of his (her?) body and corresponding information will appear to the right.  Great stuff!

These super foods are exceptional. Not only are they the highest quality imaginable, they’re downright delicious.  Best of all, they’re the simplest way I’ve found to add vital nutrition to your daily diet.  Below are just a few favorite ways to “sneak” these valuable nutrients into your diet:

  • Smoothies. If you drink green smoothies, fruit smoothies, or even Slim-Fast drinks, you’ll LOVE how easy it is to up the healthy ante by simply sprinkling in a little super food into your drink. They blend in beautifully and effortlessly.
  • Granola Bars.  I love to make homemade granola bars and these super foods are, again, effortless to blend in and delicious to enjoy.
  • Muffins. I throw organic flaxseed into my favorite muffin recipes. I’ve used it with blueberry muffins (below), cornbread muffins, and bran muffins.
  • Oatmeal. Each are wonderful stirred into oatmeal but my favorites for oatmeal are the Milled Flaxseed & Goji Berries and the Flaxseed, Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Walnuts & Q10.
  • Etc! There are countless healthy recipes on Linwoods’ website.

For delicious healthy eating simplified to the max, you’re not going to beat Linwoods Super Food Products. Click through and check them out.

Bluberry MuffinsBlueberry Muffins

Vi-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix Review

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Vi-Shape Drink

I have a new obsession I’m anxious to tell you about – very anxious, in fact, because it meets several important criteria:

  1. Healthy
  2. Delicious
  3. Simple

Whether you’re trying to lose weight, get healthier, or maintain your weight, Vi-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix is something you’ll want to read up on.  This shake mix is so incredibly versatile and delicious, you’ll have a lot of fun discovering new ways to enjoy it.

My favorite ways to enjoy Vi-Shape Mix:

  • Smoothies: Simply add 2 scoops of Vi-Shape to 8 – 12 oz of nonfat milk, whole milk, 2 % milk, or even Almond Milk. By adding fun extras like fruit juice, chia seeds, flax seeds, frozen fruit, or powdered coffee – you could conceivably come up with a different smoothie every day of the month!
  • Add Vi-Shape Mix to your favorite green smoothies for a little more flavor and nutritional bang. It even makes the harshest greens more agreeable.
  • For a flavorful, healthy “pick-me-up,” mix a scoop of Vi-Shape Mix with cold water and stir.  Add a little fresh fruit and you have a pretty little mid-day pick-me-up (pictured above).
  • I’ve even used Vi-Shape Nutritional Mix in baking. I’m minutes from posting a cookie recipe I recently came up with: Muesli Chocolate Banana Cookies.

Vi-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix comes with AMAZING flavor pouches that give you even more variety and possibilities. When trying the different flavors, I kept trying to decide which one was my favorite and I kept coming up with the same answer, “Whichever one I was drinking at the time!” Seriously, they are fantastic.

Oddly enough, though, I think I may prefer the Vi-Shape all by itself. There’s an eerily (and ironic) flavor of vanilla cake that makes my taste buds happy.  While my brain calculates the nutritional value and fantastic calorie budgeting, my taste buds are convinced it must be somebody’s birthday.

Nutritional Benefits

  • Two shakes a day help melt the pounds away
  • Provides healthy vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber
  • Supports lean muscle mass

I strongly recommend Vi-Shape Nutritional Shake Mix. Click the link for more nutritional facts, informative videos, and ordering information.

 

Vi-Shape Nutritional Shake mix

Macho Mango Green Smoothie Recipe

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To make a long story short, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Smoothies is the first Green Smoothies book you should buy. Not only are the green smoothie recipes outstanding, the nutritional information and advice are absolutely priceless.

I wrote a The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Smoothies review on another website, if you want to check that out. Whether you’re new to green smoothies, an old pro, or have never touched a green smoothie to your lips – this book is a must read.

The recipe below is from page 145 of the book. It’s called Macho Mango Smoothie and if you love mangoes, this will become a green smoothie recipe you use over and over again.

The author says you can substitute 1/2 cup pistachios for hemp seeds for a totally different flavor.

If you’re concerned about finding hemp seeds, or other green smoothie seeds such as Chia Seeds  (a personal favorite!), rest easy.  Most grocery stores have Health Food sections which carry ingredients you’ll see in green smoothie recipes.  When you read the health benefits of these seeds, you’ll kick yourself for not introducing yourself to them sooner.

I make my hemp seeds, flax seeds, and chia seeds pull double duty.  I use them in my homemade granola bars for extra crunch, flavor, and nutritional benefit.  I also find myself eating chia seeds right from the bag.  They’re crunchy, delicious, fun to eat, and give a boost of energy.

If you’re concerned that your grocery store might not have the seeds you need, look for a Vitamin store or health food store. OR, you can take my approach and simply buy them online. Beneath the recipe are lists of common seeds and ingredients in green smoothies, along with links to the products.

A final word about ingredients for green smoothies: Don’t let unfamiliar ingredients scare you off. Some of my favorite green smoothie ingredients are spinach, sunflower seeds, bananas, cucumbers, apples, and pineapple. You don’t HAVE to have chia seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseed, etc. However, they are so incredibly healthy and delicious I know you’ll want to get to know them better.

Macho Mango Green Smoothie

Recipe Type: Green Smoothie
Cuisine: Healthy
Author: Bo Rinaldi, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Smoothies
This smoothie may taste fruity and floral, and it may be creamy and silky, but it still packs a macho amount of nutrition! – Bo Rinaldi
Ingredients
  • 3 dried apricots
  • 1-1/2 cups chopped mango
  • 1/3 cup hemp seeds
  • 3 cups fresh spinach
  • 2 TBS fresh lemon juice
  • 1-1/2 cups water (including soaking water)
Instructions
  1. Soak apricots in water to cover for at least 1 hour. Drain, retaining soak water.
  2. In a high-speed blender, combine mango, hemp seeds, soaked apricots, spinach, lemon juice, and water.
  3. Blend until completely smooth.

What about blenders?

Personally, I use the Nutri Bullet (show to the right).  It’s available online as well as in most department stores.   It’s handy for making and drinking in the same container – I also like the recipes and nutritional information included with the system.

However, a well-made blender can most definitely make wonderful smoothies. Just be sure to really process thick greens like kale thoroughly – otherwise you’ll be chewing your smoothie, which is a major turnoff!

Seeds and Ingredients for Green Smoothies:

 

Introduction to Green Smoothies

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How Green Smoothies Saved My Life

I’m sure you’ve heard of green smoothies – they’re taking the health world by storm. They’re insanely good for you and even help promote weight loss while they promote better health.  My family has fallen in love with green smoothies and we’re becoming ambassadors for how they make you feel.

I’ve written several articles on my self help website about green smoothies (each one will open in a new window):

I hope you’ll take the time to read these articles and book reviews. If you’re short on time right now, bookmark them and come back when you have more time.

I really want you to read the articles in their entirety because I know how great they are for you. That’s why I won’t really go into detail here.  I will, however, just give you a quick rundown on these green super heroes:

  • If you need to lose weight, you can do so by adding just one green smoothie to your day.  My husband and I have ours as breakfast. Not only do they give us a boost of energy, they replace the unhealthy breakfast options we’d probably eat instead.
  • My youngest son-in-law HATES every green vegetable known to man, except for green beans. The boy won’t even eat a salad! I have gotten him completely hooked on green smoothies. Not only does he love the fact that they’re so good for him, he has become addicted to how good they make him feel.
  • My daughter Emily says the thing she loves most about green smoothies is the energy they give her. She works with kids all day, so energy is of the utmost importance to her!
  • When I’ve overeaten one day, I have two green smoothies the next day – my regular one at breakfast, plus one either at lunch or after supper. Cleanse, cleanse, cleanse.
  • I’m such a component of green smoothies that I’ve made a new category for them on my self help blog as well as here on my food blog. I’ll post more recipes, tips, and tricks regularly under this category.