My daughter asked me why I add spinach to my smoothies. “If you love vegetables so much, why do you have to hide them in your food?” Well, I’m not hiding them. I know they are there. If you put a tomato on a burger, is it hidden? No, it enhances the burger. I use spinach to enhance my smoothies. Here are some of the many reasons why:

1. “When blended well, most of the cell walls in the greens and fruits are ruptured, making the valuable nutrients easy for the body to assimilate. Green smoothies literally start to get absorbed in your mouth.” (From: 12 Steps to Raw Foods: How to End Your Dependency on Cooked Food By Victoria Boutenko)

2. They are full of fiber – which keeps you regular, fills you up – not to mention proper digestion makes your skin radiant

3. They are chlorophyll rich. Chlorophyll is the blood of the plant and it is the molecule that most closely resembles human blood. It purifies our blood. It fights bad breath and bad body odor. It is an immune enhancer. It can help to correct anemia. It will rejuvenate your body.

4. They give you much more than the minimal requirements of fruits and veggies recommended by the American Cancer Society.

5. They are high in calcium, many nutrients, antioxidants and phytochemicals.

6. They will help to bring down the acidity in your pH and make you more alkaline. Cancer does not grow in an alkaline body. In fact, most disease grows in an acid environment.

7. Increased energy and increased metabolic rate

8. Experience fewer cravings for sugary and salty processed food – After a few weeks of drinking green smoothies, most people start to crave and enjoy eating more greens.

9. With a healthier diet comes greater mental clarity and focus.

10. boosts my immune system

11. Hardly any digestive work is needed to process raw  liquid.

12. hydrates

13. As much as I like vegetables, I like other foods too. Putting veggies in my smoothies helps me get my full daily requirement.

This weekend we use Stoneyfield Farms low fat vanilla yogurt, frozen banana, frozen raspberries, and spinach. Brian likes skim milk, peanut butter, spinach and Nesquick (the only chocolate syrup he has found without high fructose corn syrup in it).

Why do you or don’t you drink green smoothies?