By: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC

You know by now that you’ve gotta eat those greens.  Dark leafies are the single healthiest group of foods out there.  Loaded with nutrients, they are major health powerhouses, and the best part is, you can eat them as much as you want!  If you’re not doing so already, make greens a big priority in your eating — shooting for a full serving at least twice a day.  Salads, cooked greens, greens in your eggs, greens tossed into soup, and as a side for pretty much anything you’re eating — they are super easy to make into a daily habit.

Green smoothies and green juices are some of the best and easiest ways to get a whole load of greens, with the least amount of time and effort.  Check out my favorite, nutrient packed recipes below, each targeted toward a specific health concern (but they’re great even if you don’t have that particular issue).  So get your green on, and make green juices and smoothies a part of your day!

Green Juices (best for between meal pick-me-ups, or detox dinners)

Detoxifying Green Juice

This green juice is great after a night of partying, or some not-so-great food choices.  It’s also super energizing and mood-boosting.  Pretty much the workhorse of the green juice world.

5 large leaves organic kale

2 organic apples, washed, peels on

1 cucumber, washed, peel on

1 organic lemon, peeled

 

Anti-Inflammatory Green Juice

Great for pain, inflammation, arthritis, and immunity, the addition of ginger and parsley really take this green juice up a notch!

3 large leaves organic kale

4 sprigs flat leaf parsley

2 organic apples (tart varieties like granny smith are best)

1 inch piece of ginger

1/2 an organic lemon, peeled

1/2 tsp raw honey (optional)

Juice all the ingredients, and mix the honey in at the end, if desired.

Liver Tonic Green Juice

Great liver cleanse for skin, detox, and again, cleansing the body of alcohol and other toxins.

2 handfuls dandelion greens

3 organic carrots

1 cucumber

1/2 organic lemon, peeled

 

Skin Clearing Green Juice

Awesome for clearing up skin and balancing hormones.

1 cup organic broccoli florets

2 large organic carrots

1 cup organic spinach

1 celery stalk

1/2 organic apple

Green Smoothies (meals, not snacks — breakfast or a detox dinner)

 

Mood-Boosting Green Smoothie

Omega-3’s in kale and flax seeds, combined with the tryptophan in the banana, makes this one happy-making smoothie.  

5 leaves organic kale

1/2 of a peeled, sliced cucumber

1/4 frozen mango

1/2 banana or 1 small banana

2 tablespoons ground flax seed

10-12 ounces of coconut water

 

Stress-Busting Green Smoothie

Avocado is amazing for lowering blood pressure, which combined with calming fennel, and potent anxiety-quelling nutmeg, makes this one powerful stress relieving smoothie!

1 cup organic chard or spinach

8 leaves of fresh mint

1/2 an avocado

1/2 cup fresh, roughly chopped fennel

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1/8 tsp nutmeg

 

Green Smoothie for Digestion

Chock full of digestive enzymes, fiber, and the cooling power of mint, this smoothie is amazing for improving digestion.  Add some flax seeds if you’re a little backed up!

1 papaya (fresh or frozen), peeled and cut into chunks

1 bunch organic beet greens (just the greens!)

1 inch fresh ginger, finely chopped

Juice of 1/2 organic lemon

4 fresh mint leaves, plus 1-2 sprigs for garnish

Water, to taste

1/2 tsp raw honey (optional)

 

Anti-Aging Green Smoothie

Loaded with potent antioxidants, this green smoothie will stave off wrinkles, disease, and aging inflammation!

1 cup mixed organic frozen berries

3 leaves organic kale

1/2 avocado

1 tbsp sesame seeds

1/2 cup unsweetened green tea