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I Challenge You




One simple way to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables is to incorporate smoothies into your diet. Making a smoothie every morning as part of a daily routine can dramatically improve your health! 
Smoothies are blended drinks that combine leafy greens with fruits, veggies and healthy fats, such as almonds, hemp seeds, flax and coconut. Popular leafy greens include spinach, kale, rainbow or Swiss chard, mint, parsley and collard greens. I prefer to use all fresh, raw ingredients, but using frozen fruit creates a thicker, ice cream-like texture!


Health Benefits of Smoothies:

*Provide you with the full spectrum of nature's bio-available vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants
*Give you plenty of natural fiber to ensure excellent digestion
*Increase energy
*Elevate mood
*Help empower your immune system to protect you from illness


Take my challenge! Drink one smoothie for 14 days total in April and I guarantee you will see and feel the difference! 

I have created a Smoothies Made Simple E-book which includes 30 of my favorite smoothie recipes that are gluten, soy, and dairy-free! 


All you have to do to participate is to purchase the E-book on my website. Click below and scroll down on the page! 




I would love to hear some testimonials after you finish your challenge! You can even post photos and comments on my Facebook Page throughout the entire 14 days. Each person who completes the smoothie challenge and writes a testimonial will be rewarded with a GENEROUS gift! You must post comments, pictures, and a testimonial in order to qualify for the gift! 


Need some accountability? Forward this to a friend and complete the challenge together! 


Testimonials From Past Smoothie Challenge: 


"Thanks for creating the smoothie challenge Jackie! It was a simple way to hold myself accountable to eat more fruits and veggies. I definitely have felt less lethargic over the past two weeks. My energy levels are high and I feel better mentally (focus levels and attitude).  The smoothie recipes taste great and I'll continue to use them. Thanks for the support throughout!" 


"I participated in the 14-day smoothie challenge and I was very surprised at how tasty and filling the smoothies were. One of the benefits was able to get several servings of fruits and vegetables in 1 smoothie. Also added protein. I tried new ingredients that I had never used before and combinations of foods together such as in the Almond butter and Jelly smoothie. Red grapes, fresh spinach, banana and almond butter together. Delicious! I was putting fresh, healthy and organic ingredients in my body and made me feel great. Loved participating in the challenge and will definitely add smoothies as part of a healthy lifestyle!"

-Annette Netsch



*Challenge ends on 4/30/21.  You must consume 14 smoothies the month of April!  




Copyright, 2021, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.

Veggie Skeleton



Something fun for Halloween! 

Head--lettuce leaves, sliced olives, veggie dip in a small bowl
Body--celery, baby carrots, bell pepper, mushrooms, cherry or grape tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers

Arrange the veggies on a platter in the shape of a skeleton, top with an appropriate sized bowl of veggie dip for the head! 



*Please request to join my private Facebook group: Wellness Warriors   This is where I most all my most valuable content and upcoming classes and events! 





Copyright, 2018, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.



Superpower Nutrition


We made this recipe in my kid's cooking class at Valley Natural Foods Co-op. They loved them! Sneaky way to get some greens and super foods in! Try it and let me know what they think! 


NINJA TURTLE POWER BITES   

INGREDIENTS: (all organic if possible) 

2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut 
1/2 cup powdered kale or greens powder
1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
1/4 cup unflavored plant protein powder (I used Amazing Grass
1/2 cup unsweetened peanut butter or almond butter
1/3 cup raw honey
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS: 

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well
Form into one inch balls
Refrigerate for up to two weeks, or freeze.


Upcoming Children's Cooking Classes: 





 

 





Copyright, 2018, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.



How to Eat Kale (And Like It)


Sauteed or Steamed- in coconut or olive oil, add whatever nuts, spices, herbs, veggies you like! 
Raw- salads, smoothies, soups, pesto, as a bread substitute (paleo wraps), or juice it! 
Baked- kale chips, put in baked dishes-lasagna, pasta, egg bakes, meatballs, etc. 

*Always buy organic kale; it is sprayed with lots of chemicals making it one of the Dirty Dozen. The kale should be firm with fresh, deeply colored leaves and hardy stems.

*To store, place kale in a plastic storage bag removing as much of the air from the bag as possible. Store in the refrigerator where it will keep for 5 days. The longer it is stored, the more bitter its flavor becomes. Do not wash kale before storing because exposure to water encourages spoilage. Loss of some nutrients in kale—for example, its vitamin C content—is likely to be slowed down through refrigeration. 



5 MINUTE KALE PESTO  (Serves: about 1 cup - 8 servings, 2 tablespoons each)
INGREDIENTS:  (all organic if possible) 

2 cups torn kale (no stems) and parsley, combined
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon sea salt (more to taste)
1 clove garlic
juice of one lemon
¼ to ½ cup raw almonds

DIRECTIONS: 

Pulse the kale, olive oil, salt, garlic, and lemon juice in a food processor until smooth.
Add the almonds and pulse until the almonds are ground to desired consistency.
Serve with pizza, veggies, pasta, crackers, eggs, salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps, etc.

Notes:

I ended up using about 1½ cups kale + ½ cup parsley. But I've made this many times with just about any combination of greens, whether JUST kale, kale and spinach, kale and other herbs.. it is a very flexible recipe.  If you don't want this to be vegan, just add a handful of parmesan cheese into the mix. You can also add spicy almonds instead of raw ones for variety. 




Copyright, 2018, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.



www.OptimumWellnessMN.com

Lunchbox Recipes: TUNA




TUNA, BLACK BEAN, & SPINACH LETTUCE WRAPS (Makes 4 Servings)  

INGREDIENTS: (all organic if possible)  

1 can (12 ounces) light tuna in water, drained and flaked 
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained (low sodium)  
1 cup fresh spinach  
1/4 cup chopped red onion  
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 
1 tablespoon fresh parsley 
1/8 teaspoon sea salt 
1/8 teaspoon pepper 
12 Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves (about 1 medium head) 
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and sliced 

DIRECTIONS:  

In a small bowl, combine the first eight ingredients; toss lightly to combine. Serve in lettuce leaves; top with avocado!




DIJON TUNA BITES 

INGREDIENTS: (all organic if possible) 

12 oz canned white tuna (packed in water)  
3 tbsp Dijon Mustard  
2 tbsp Basil, fresh, chopped  
1 tsp Salt  
1 tsp Black Pepper  
1 cup Arugula  

DIRECTIONS: 

1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine tuna with Dijon mustard and mix well. 
2. Mix in basil, salt and pepper. 
3. Use your hands to form the tuna into balls. This recipe makes about four balls. 
4. Serve on a bed of arugula.



CLICK HERE for more clean eating recipes!


Copyright, 2017, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutritionist and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.