Raw Beet Smoothie

New year, new you, right? Are you sticking to those resolutions we make every time the clock strikes midnight? It’s now the 12th of  January, well into the second week of a new year and hopefully we’re doing well and treating ourselves right! I’ve personally not been blogging because I’m under tremendous pressure with life… new clients are calling — hallelujah! — which means I’ve been insanely busy developing new recipes and cooking; I’m wildly busy planning upcoming travel, and just generally re-strategizing my business and brand… and… life.  I say life because somewhere along the way last year, I lost myself and indulged in all kinds of things I don’t normally allow. I fell off the wagon and blindly enjoyed things I had so earnestly removed — cake, high calorie granola, and chips. Chips are the worst, though. Those darn things are my vice. They get me every time. I buckle and spare no conscious thought.

And so as earnestly as I worked in removing the bad in my diet, and life overall, I slipped and found myself going all in. Fortunately, most of that backsliding happened in December, when all things delicious and decadent make a strong appearance and like to stay. When I tell you I went all in, I went all in. And now my hips are paying the price.

The additional 5-6 pounds I seem to have put on just over night… doesn’t it happen that way, really… are making me more anxious and what better way to deal with stress and anxiety than comfort food! Well, we already know that’s a perfect recipe for disaster. I mean, eating the yummiest, most dangerous foods to lick the wounds I created myself is not the answer to getting it together. I know that. Reversing a bad habit is the key. But it’s also not so easy.

The struggle is so real!

My plan is to juice it out and smoothie it up. I don’t mind greens as much as I used but I found I have a much easier time ingesting them in liquid form. Also, the addition of highly pigmented vegetable like beets, are a great source of vitamins and fiber which fill us up quicker, helping minimize the hunger.

This fantastic green smoothie has served as my lunch these last 10 days, but I’ve been toying with making different juices and smoothies to replace my meals. I’m going totally rogue and cutting out rice and beans, my staple diet, for the most part. Some of the concoctions haven’t worked out so great but others are so delicious that I’m excited about drinking my way back to a slimmer me. And a slimmer me makes a happier me. Hips don’t lie, you know! And these over here are not smiling.

This raw beet smoothie covers all of my needs. It’s the salad I have a hard time eating in a bowl. The color is vibrant, the texture is a bit gritty, but that’s okay because it’ll fill you up, and the flavor is sweet with a touch of citrus. It has all the nutrients we need in a balanced diet, well, except for major proteins, but the yogurt makes up for that. One glass of this and you’re good for a solid breakfast or lunch. And if you failed at lunch and had something you weren’t supposed to, make up dinner with this. Trust me, it’ll work. You’ll feel great about it and want to do it more and more.

Here’s to more and more of a healthier you!

Eat well, love unapologetically, pray with true intention, and take care of yourself.

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Enjoy

RAW BEET SMOOTHIE

Ingredients

• 1 medium raw beet, peeled and chopped in small pieces
• 1 raw carrot, peeled and chopped in 1/2″ pieces
• 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and chopped
• 1 stalk of celery with leaves, chopped
• 1 cup fresh kale
• 1/2 cup fresh mixed super greens (kale, spinach, Swiss chard, collard)
• 3 Tbsp. unsweetened Greek yogurt
• 1 Tbsp. agave
• Juice from one lime
• 1 cup water

Method

In high power food processor (Nutribullet or the like), add all ingredients and pulse for 2 minutes. Add a bit of water or your preferred juice (no more than 1/4 cup) if it’s too thick. Pulse for another two to three minutes until vegetables and apple are fully broken and well blended. Garnish with mint.

Chef’s notes: Add 6-7 mint leaves and 1 teaspoon of ginger for added flavor. Yields two 8-oz. glasses.