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.
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!
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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.
MARINATED GRILLED VEGETABLES
INGREDIENTS: (all organic if possible)
1 medium zucchini - sliced into bite sized pieces
1 red onion - sliced into rings
1 bell pepper - top and seeds removed and sliced into strips
1 cup mushrooms - halved
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
1/2 eggplant - sliced into bite sized pieces
For the marinade:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried basil
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
DIRECTIONS:
Chop up all of the vegetables and place them in a large zip-lock bag.
Mix the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Pour over the vegetables. Place in fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Heat up your grill to a high direct heat.
Place vegetables on a grilling pan. If you don't have a grilling pan you can use a baking pan or sheet. A pan helps to prevent the veggies from falling through the grill.
Place pan over high direct heat to cook, about 5-6 minutes per side.You want the veggies to get a nice char from the grill, but pull them off before they get too soft.
CLICK HERE for more clean eating recipes!
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.
We had a blast last week in my children's class at Valley Natural Foods Co-op! I called it, "Fruitopia!" We made fish, turtles, octopus, peacocks, and hedgehogs out of fruit and a few other random ingredients! You can easily do this with your kids at home. This is all you need:
Food Items:
Kiwis
Grapes
Apples
Blueberries
Nut Butter
Dark Chocolate Chips
Pears
Olives
Oranges
Carrots
Cream Cheese
Other Supplies:
Toothpicks
Knife
Plates
Let them get messy and creative! The best part is eating what they make!
Be sure to follow me on Facebook to be the first to hear about all my upcoming events and classes!
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.
Noticed this pasta at the grocery store! This is NOT a way I would recommend getting your greens in! The pasta is "enriched" wheat noodles with dried spinach, zucchini, broccoli, parsley, and kale. You are better off adding those greens to a smoothie or chop the real deal up and add to your pasta!
Here are some other ways to get your daily dose of greens in:
-Add spinach to your egg bake, egg muffins, or toss into your morning green smoothie!
-Make "zoodles" with zucchini using a vegetable spirilizer.
-Steam broccoli and top with a little olive oil, lemon pepper and sea salt. Serve as a side dish with your protein at dinner-time.
-Whip up some kale chips.
-Juice your greens using a juicer.
- Use spinach instead of lettuce as a topping in your sandwiches or wraps.
- Make a big salad for lunch using all of the green veggies mentioned above.
-Broccoli is used in my famous Detox Salad:
Yield: 10 cups (lots for the whole week!!)
2 heads broccoli (1 bunch), stems removed
1 head cauliflower, stems removed
2.5 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup currants
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup raisins
4-6 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, to taste
1. In a food processor (or chop by hand) process the broccoli (no stems) until fine. Add into large bowl.
2. Now process the cauliflower (no stems) until fine and add into bowl. Do the same with the carrots.
3. Stir in the sunflower seeds, currants, raisins, and parsley. Add lemon juice and seasonings to taste. (You can always add in broccoli sprouts as well!)
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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.
