Happy Belated New Year everyone!

I am thrilled to be a part of The Balanced Platter and look forward to this amazing gluten-free, whole foods journey with all of you!

Many of us make New Year’s resolutions to take better care of ourselves – rest, exercise, find better balance, have more fun, and eat more healthy foods.

Whilst on my life-long quest for the perfect “Tess” eating plan that would make me feel at optimum health, I have experimented with what feels like every single whole foods diet known to man! I have embraced Macrobiotics, Ayurvedic and Chinese principles, Acid/Alkaline balance, Raw Foods, Veganism, Vegetarianism, The Body Ecology Diet and many other wonderful whole foods diets that offer wonderful health benefits. You name it, I have tried it!

But it wasn’t until I started including raw green smoothies into my daily diet, that I found the missing link in my quest for health and vitality. I have been drinking a green smoothie (or two or three) every day for years now and I have never been healthier, or had more vitality. I do not get sick. I have no symptoms of candida; my lethargy has ceased; my hay fever has decreased; and my mind is totally clear. In short – my symptoms of “less than perfect health” have disappeared.

Drink Green Smoothies For Health

No matter what “eating regime” you are following, and whether you are a vegan, vegetarian, or an omnivore; drinking raw green smoothies is one of the most valuable things you can do to give your body a healthy advantage.

Not only are green smoothies loaded with live enzymes and vital nutrients; they are quick, easy, and taste delicious! Better still, anyone can make them, and the sky is the limit with taste variations. Just throw in any fruit or vegetable that you choose and you are good to go!

I always recommend starting with mild tasting greens like baby spinach and romaine lettuce that are easily masked with sweet fruits like mangoes, pineapple, pears, and apples. As you drink more green smoothies, start experimenting with reducing the sugar content and increasing the ratio of vegetables and greens. My all-time favorite green smoothie blend is my Tropical Green Mango Smoothie. Apart from the green color, you would never know this smoothie had spinach in it.

However, I am aware that most children and some adults claim to be “allergic” to anything green! LOL! I am a huge fan of hiding green vegetables in as many dishes as possible to try and get kids to eat in a more nutritious way.

This raw vegan chocolate spinach milkshake is a brilliant option because the chocolate covers up all manner of “green sins” and instead of looking like a green smoothie, it looks and tastes like a conventional chocolate milkshake.

This smoothie does have quite a high natural sugar content with two bananas and some dates. But it is a great introduction to green smoothies and a fantastic way to sneak some extra veggies into any “greenophobes” young and old. You can gradually reduce the bananas and dates and increase the greens.

Raw Vegan Chocolate Spinach Shake

This is one of my favorite quick easy allergy free treats because it is gluten free, dairy free, egg free, nut free, soy free and sugar free. Give this delicious vegan chocolate shake a spin in your house and see if anyone knows your green secret.

What is your favorite recipe for sneaking veggies into children?

“Sneaky Green” Healthy Chocolate Shake

2 cups organic unsweetened rice milk
3 cups of raw baby spinach
2 fresh or frozen bananas
6 pitted organic dates
3 Tbsp cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder (whatever you have)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
pinch of Celtic sea salt

1. Throw all ingredients in your blender (I use a Vitamix) and puree until rich and creamy.
2. Add a handful of ice cubes for a really cold smoothie.
3. Devour and Smugly Smile. YUMMO!

For more information about the health benefits of green smoothies check out the “Why Make Green Smoothies” page of Healthy Blender Recipes.

**Don’t miss out on your chance to WIN a Vitamix 5200 High Speed Blender in my January Giveaway. Good Luck!

Tess Masters, AKA “The Blender Girl”  writes a quirky blog called Healthy Blender Recipes, sharing super quick and easy allergy friendly vegetarian, vegan, and raw recipes using a blender, mixer or food processor. All of her healthy recipes are gluten free, and utilise whole foods and natural flavourings and sweeteners. Many of the recipes are also dairy free, egg free, nut free, and soy free. You can search for recipes for specific diets or food allergies by using the handy clickable icons on her website.

Follow Tess on Twitter and Facebook.