Who Are These People?

I'm experiencing something interesting with the women (and a couple of men who will be joining in May!) in my Health Challenge Groups.  

1.  Not all of them are overweight.  Some of them are actually thin, and "healthy".  However, they feel crappy and because they are skinny they need motivation to eat better.  And some of them are obese.

2.  Many of them have started facing silent health problems.  They might be pre-diabetic.  Their cholesterol might be borderline.  They are having stomach issues that they can't explain.  They may have had a mother, sister, cousin, aunt, or friend diagnosed with breast cancer. 

3.  They don't want another "diet".  They want to learn how to eat plant based, even if they don't do it 100%.

And most of all, they want a support group.  They know it may not come from the people closest to them.

Green Smoothies - click here for recipes

The absolute first step that I recommend is drinking a green smoothie daily.  Just that change can make a huge difference in the way you feel.  Whether you use spinach, kale, spring mix, swiss chard, beet greens, or go crazy and use organic dandelion greens is your choice.  Go green.  use 1-2 cups!  Blend away with your favorite fruits.  If it is still too "green" tasting for you, add agave or stevia.  Make a lot and drink it throughout the day to remind yourself that you are making a change in your lifestyle.  Even if that change is only a green smoothie.

The whole low-carb craze has caused a strange fear of fruit.  I absolutely love fruit and at this point in my life would rather go without dessert as long as I can have fruit.  Bananas, apples, pears, berries, mango, cherries, grapes...you name it.  I love it.  They are nature's perfect food, along side vegetables.  

Making green smoothies is easy!  Here is a basic recipe to follow:

Make Your Own Green Smoothie Recipe from The Best of Raw Food

The best green smoothie recipe is the one you make yourself.It's very easy and the options are endless. Just have a ration of about 50% fruits and 50% vegetables (or try some wild greens such as nettles) and your smoothie will always be delicious. If not sweet enough, add some liquid. You'll hardly taste the vegetables. (Read How To Make Smoothies for more info.)
Ingredients

1 bunch green leafy vegetable of choice (50% of total)
Fruit of choice (50% of total)
1-2 Bananas or 1 avocado to emulsify (make creamy)
ginger, lemon, parsley or, stevia to taste
Directions

    Put all ingredients in your blender.

    Add clean water to cover all ingredients.

    Blend.

    Drink immediately.