Nutrition & Recipes

3 Raw Morning Smoothies and Juices

3 Raw Morning Smoothies and Juices
*Green juice = the instant medicine (that takes little energy to digest)

*Green smoothie = fiber-licious broom (that cleans out your system)

I can't say enough about alkaline liquid love, especially when you keep the fruit content to a minimum. In fact, drinking your produce will literally change your life. Green juices and smoothies are the most important part of my personal daily practice. If you do nothing else consistently, do this: blend or juice your produce.

What’s the difference between the two? Juicing separates the pulp from the juice of your veggies, sprouts, and fruits, using a (you guessed it!) juicer. Since your body doesn't have to digest the fiber, it can easily absorb vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream—instant alkalinity and oxygen for your cells. Juicing also gives your body an energetic break, allowing it to focus on repair and renewal.

Smoothies are made in a blender, which means that the fiber stays in your drink (score for your colon!). In addition to fruits and vegetables, you can add protein powders, nut milks, healthy fats (which keep your energy humming), a variety of superfoods, and other ingredients to your smoothies.

Each method has unique benefits, but their biggest strength is shared—filling your body with a large amount of fresh, raw produce. Here are three recipes perfect to jump-start your morning.

Morning Glorious

Green juice is the rock-solid foundation of my crazy sexy life. Almost all of my juice recipes start with one or two cukes. Cucumber is the perfect base since it yields lots of mild and refreshing juice and minerals, and it’s the fountain of alkalinity. Vive la rèvolution!

Ingredients:

  • 1 large cucumber
  • A fistful kale
  • A fistful romaine
  • 2 or 3 stalks celery
  • 1 big broccoli stem
  • 1 green apple, quartered
  • 1/2 peeled lemon, quartered
Directions:

Wash and prep all ingredients. Juice all ingredients, and enjoy!

Serves 2





Strawberry Fields Smoothie

Now you can enjoy the nostalgic tastiness of strawberry milk sans moo juice or powdered junk. Strawberries are phytonutrient factories, supplying your body with a bounty of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients. John Lennon would be pleased.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups cashew or nondairy milk of your choice
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 small orange, peeled
  • 1 banana
  • 1 1/2 cups loosely packed spinach
Directions:

In high-speed blender, blend all ingredients until smooth.

Serves 2





Sicilian Juice

Even your dear Italian grandmother will guzzle down this spicy drink. It’s hearty, savory, and hits the spot when your tummy is grumbling. Celery’s fabulous phytochemical, phthalide, makes this veggie a heart helper. Phthalide relaxes the smooth muscles of the arteries, which helps to lower blood pressure. Ahhh…

Ingredients:

  • 6 carrots
  • 3 large tomatoes
  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 4 stalks of celery
  • 1 cup watercress
  • 1 cup loosely packed spinach
  • 1 red jalapeno, seeded (optional)
Directions:

Wash and prep all ingredients, juice, and enjoy.

Serves 2



Editor’s Note: Text adapted from Kris Carr’s New York Times Bestseller, CrazySexy Kitchen: 150 Plant-Empowered Recipes to Ignite a Mouthwatering Revolution by Kris Carr with Chef Chad Sarno.