The Reason Why I Am a Morning Person

Often people will approach me with curious eyes and bewilderment to ask how I can function so well in early mornings when others are moaning and groaning. In response, I whisper that the secret is my nutrition-packed green smoothie. Not only is it speedy to prepare, it can also be portable to slurp on during class when there is no time to finish the drink at home.
 Below, I will share with you my Green Machine recipe.               

Ren, Lily. Unblended Smoothie. 2014. Photograph. n.p. jpg

A Green Machine a day keeps the doctors, worries and stress away! 

Ren, Lily, dir. Blending Smoothie  .
Lily Ren, 2014. gif. 26 Mar 2014.

Preparation

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Ren, Lily. Spinach. 2014. Photograph. n.p. jpg

To prepare for a long day, I always have a healthy kick of vitamins by adding a generous couple handfuls of greens into my breakfast smoothie. Personally, I prefer using spinach over other leafy vegetables because the grassy taste can easily be masked with fruit unlike kale which dominates the flavor of the concoction. However, for some people, green smoothies may be an acquired taste so I recommend to start with smaller amounts of spinach if you are sensitive to the taste and gradually increase in quantity.

Ren, Lily. Frozen Banana. 2014. Photograph. n.p. jpg

For sweetness and texture, I add a banana. I recommend using very ripe frozen bananas which can be put in the freezer the night before because it gives the smoothie a thickening creaminess and a more potent flavor. I personally prefer bananas over any other fruit because not only are they highly inexpensive, but they are also provide an excellent source of potassium which is vital for controlling blood pressure and heart rate.





To give the drink a dose of protein, I drizzle a scoop or two of unsweetened greek yogurt. Afterwards, I incorporate my add-ons. Some days, I crave sourness so I squirt lime juice and other days I include a heaping dollop of peanut butter to satisfy my savory cravings. For the final touch, I will sprinkle milled flax seed and ginger powder. Then, add your desired amount of ice. After a splash of milk is poured over the ingredients, it is ready for blending.

Ren, Lily. Yogurt. 2014. Photograph. n.p. jpg

Ren, Lily. Additions 2014. Photograph. n.p. jpg

Ren, Lily. Flax Seed. 2014. Photograph. n.p. jpg

Ren, Lily. Ginger Powder. 2014. Photograph. n.p. jpg

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Voila! It only takes a minute to prepare and bon appétit! With the Green Machine, you will be energized throughout the day, and as a result you will feel lighter and brighter from within. Feed your soul with nature's ingredients, and you will radiate with the beauty of the Earth. Many of my smoothies are inspired by Simple Green Smoothies on Instagram which illustrates a vast range of nourishing drinks to spice up your smoothie lifestyle.

Ren, Lily. Blended Smoothie. 2014. Photograph. n.p. jpg