Reader Feature: Recap and a Green Smoothie!

A couple of weeks ago we posted an announcement that we're introducing a new column: Reader Feature!

It all started when my parents sent me a picture of the Skinny Pina Colada that they made from Sip Your Way Skinny Month. After posting that, I learned that the reason they made that was to have a special "Beach Night" to help fight the winter blues and pretend to be at their favorite restaurant in Florida, Jimmy's.

My dad and Cathy                                          their good friends

Like I said, cute huh?

And...it's exactly what's this blog is for!

So since that announcement, we received our first submission!

It's for the Green Smoothie post that we did,

and it's extra special because it's from my cousin, Bethany!

I'm going to be embarrassing and post a picture of us from when we little (and one from now):

Beth, love the gum.

And I must add that this is a bit flattering because she is probably one of the best cooks I know.

Seriously, anything she touches in the kitchen, turns to "gold" (or whatever the cooking equivalent would be).

Here's what she said she did:

"I used store brand 4 berry variety of frozen berries

Spinach leaves

Ice

Non-fat store brand vanilla yogurt.

tip: I bought a huge tub of the yogurt because it was only $2.00, so it's definitely cheaper "

She said it was "great!"

Bethany, thanks so much for sharing!

Ok friends, who's next?

Just send us a couple of pictures of your drink that you made to sipsetc@gmail.com.

You could be the next reader feature:)

Sip Your Way Skinny: Day 2- "Green Smoothies"

Who doesn't love smoothies? I like to think of them as milkshake's healthy and better looking twin sister.

They have similar consistencies, are still delish, but are (usually) made with fruits and dairy that we're told that we need!

But what else are we told that we need probably more than anything?

Veggies.

If you're like me, it can be hard to find ways to get those 3-5 servings per day that the good old food pyramid suggests.

(Veggie sticks don't count apparently. Similarly, taking vitamins in the place of veggies isn't ok either, ...or so I've been told)

So, when the Internet started exploding with "GREEN SMOOTHIE" recipes, I had to see what it was all about. 

Adding romaine, kale, chard, collards, or ....spinach to your smoothie?

I wasn't so sure. So, I tried it out.

And I'm happy to report that it was good.

 Really good.

Like, "eating healthier without noticing" kind of good. (my favorite kind).

While there are lots of recipes floating around out there, I'll share what I did with you.

(It's a good starter one, because it's not even green and scary like some).

Here's what you need:

spinach

(I tried spinach because we had it, but really any of the greens listed above are used)

frozen blueberries

strawberries

raspberries

yogurt

(I used Activia, but using greek yogurt would be great to add protein)

ice

Here's how to do it:

Layer it all into your blender/magic bullet. (I mostly just used the measurements of "half spinach, half everything else, + a few ice cubes", there's a lot of flexibility based on your preferences).

Blend until smooth.

and sip your way skinny...

And incase you haven't heard about all the health benefits of greens, I compiled a list for you.

It's just a  few of the many health benefits that drinking green smoothies have been linked to:

1. clearer skin and stronger hair and nails

2. increased energy

3. weight loss

4. regular digestion

5. stabilized blood sugar.

This info was taken from here and here, but there are a lot of articles and more benefits if you want to research a bit more.

There you have it friends... go green!