Green Juices and Smoothies to Kick Off St. Patrick’s Day

Tomorrow is St. Patrick ’s Day, which is the perfect excuse to whip up a packed-with-nutrients green juice or smoothie for breakfast. They may be the color of grass, but the combinations of fruits and vegetables are delicious and will leave you feeling refreshed, energized and ready to start the day.

By tossing kale or spinach into the blender or juicer, you’ll be adding a vast range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants with lots of health benefits—from blood sugar regulation to healthier cardiovascular and circulatory systems. Green drinks also have high amounts of beta carotene, which have antioxidants that give your skin a healthy glow.

Try one of these recipes tomorrow morning and see how you feel!

1. Tropi-Kale Juice: These two ingredients are nutritional dynamos, creating a juice brimming with calcium, antioxidants and vitamins K and C. In a juicer, combine:
   • 1 cup kale
   • 2 cups pineapple
2. Greens and Fruit Smoothie: This combo of spinach and fruit provides you with much-needed nutrients along with the great taste you look for in a smoothie. This recipe makes enough for two people. In a high-powered blender, combine:
   • 2 cups spinach (tightly packed)
   • 2 cups water
   • 1 cup mango
   • 1 cup pineapple
   • 2 bananas
3. Leaves and Roots Juice: A blend of above-ground and below-ground vegetables does your body and taste buds good. Beets are considered to be brain food, increasing the body’s production of nitric oxide, which causes blood vessels to expand to accommodate greater blood flow. In a juicer, combine:
   • 1 cup kale
   • 4 medium carrots
   • ½ small beet
4. Emerald Orange Juice: Carrots have an array of health benefits while a single cup of kale will give you a boost of vitamins and minerals. In a juicer, combine:
   • 1 cup kale
   • 5 medium carrots
5. Cucumber, Watermelon and Celery Juice: Pineapple is a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals such as thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin B6. In fact, one cup of it provides your daily source of vitamin C, A and calcium. In a juicer, combine:
   • ½ medium cucumber
   • 1 cup pineapple
   • 3 celery stalks

If you’re new to the juicing game, check out our guide to buying the perfect juicer. And for more smoothie and juice recipes, see these other posts:

• 3 Post-Pool Party Juices to Balance Your Body
• Boost Your Energy for Autumn With This Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe
• Spring Fruit and Veggie Smoothies You’ll Love

Are you trying to incorporate healthy foods into your diet? Head over to #HealthyMe, a personalized web experience based on your health and wellness goals. To sign up today, visit http://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/healthyme.

Photo credit: Meal Makeover Moms