On Life As A Picky Foodie

Greetings Lovebugs!

It’s Valentine’s Day and I thought I would celebrate us all by sending out a special, loved-up green smoothie recipe. 

Let me ask you this: why is it that we choose to celebrate something as beautiful and life-affirming as L-O-V-E with insane amounts of sugar, processed and fatty foods? No wonder we all get blood-rushing, heart-pumping crazed on Valentine’s Day!

Why not choose to underscore the beauty that is life with foods that do our bodies good? 

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: fresh, whole foods made with true love don’t just feed our cells, they also make our souls, our emotions, our brains happy -- and they do so in a deeper, more sustained way than the mass-produced so-called special-occasion indulgences that last for all of thirty seconds. 

The notion that healthy food can’t be delicious, decadent and satisfying is a myth.

On this, the pinkest day of the year, why not choose to truly feed and fête the heart in every way -- not just the poetic sense.  Because our health is really the prerequisite for any celebration. 

L’Chaim – Love of Life Green Smoothie

Large handful of greens – lamb’s lettuce (mache) or spinach

2 oranges

3 T sesame seeds

2 T hemp seeds*

2 cups coconut water**

1/4 cup raisins

¼ t vanilla (preferably alcohol-free or powder)

Start by blending the coconut water and greens until there are no bits left. 

Then add the rest of the ingredients and blend well.

Serves two people who want to celebrate together, three who want to share the love, or one person who loves their Self very much. 

* Hemp seeds are a fantastic source of fibre, essential fatty acids, and protein.  They are a seed, not a leaf and so will NOT get you high.  They are a great addition to granola, smoothies and salads – however, they are best eaten raw and unheated to retain optimal nutritional value.  Look for the hulled seeds.

** Coconut water is a tropical food so is not local to the Northern hemisphere and can be quite cooling to those of us who strive to keep warm in the winter.  However, coconut water is also packed with vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.  Known as nature’s isotonic drink (or nature’s Gatorade, if you prefer), it can help to re-hydrate after a workout, boost the immune system, balance the body’s Ph, cleanse the digestive tract and improve metabolism.  Of course fresh is best, but for those of us who don’t live on an island in Thailand (or in Venice, CA or Lower Manhattan), look for the commercial packaged brands available in most health food stores. 

With love and Ojai oranges,

Gabriela

P.S.  I received many emails following my first green smoothie recipe featured in the Leon newsletter last month.  People wanted more.  Thank you all for reaching out and asking for what you wanted.  Please continue to do so.  You can email me at Gabriela@thepickyfoodie.com, leave comments in the Friday Night Dinner Blog or in the On Life As A Picky Foodie newsletter archive. Thanks for all the love, you guys!