Christine’s Crossing — Green Smoothies 101

Starter Green Smoothie

It’s time once again to hear from Health Coach, Christine de la Cruz—this month on the subject of green smoothies…

Do you ever wonder what in the world you are going to do with all of the gorgeous greens you receive on Wednesdays? Some weeks I can barely fit them in my refrigerator—which is actually a great problem to have.  My solution to not wasting one fabulous bit is to make green smoothies!

Include a green smoothie in your diet every day for 30 days, and you will see some of these awesome benefits:  improved digestion, increased energy, weight loss, glowing skin, luxurious hair, improved sleep and better moods. Who’s not on board now?  And the best part is that you don’t have to change anything else you are consuming.

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Apple and Celery Salad with Toasted Seeds

This salad covers all the bases—sweet and salty, crisp and crunchy. Herbal. It’s a perfect throw-together dish when you don’t have much in the fridge beyond the usual—like apples and celery.  Substitute raisins or currants if you don’t have grapes.  Leave out the greens altogether if you like. Or chop up the bright-tasting celery leaves and toss them in (yes, they’re useful beyond being just compost additives or guinea pig fodder). Cubed fennel bulb and their feathery fronds would be a nice addition as well.

Pepita is the Spanish term for hulled pumpkin seeds.  You’ll find them packaged at Trader Joe’s.  Be sure to toast extra—they make a nutritious and addictive snack.

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Dadi’s Fall Chutney

This week my in-laws (known in Hindi as Dadi and Dada to our teenage girls) join us in the kitchen.  It’s always a treat to welcome more cooks into the action especially those that bring love and laughter, along with creative, tasty ideas.  There’s plenty of elbow room for all, along with knives and cutting boards. Great meals are guaranteed.

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Apple Crisp

What better way to cap off a week of crisp, cool fall days than a dessert that features the season’s favorite fruit?  There’s nothing more delicious and simple to prepare than an old-fashioned apple crisp.  This dessert is essentially a pie without the hassle and skill involved in making the crust, but with all the benefits.  Spiked with warming cinnamon and topped with an irresistibly crunchy topping, no one will say no to this dish. No one.

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