Taste, and See: Two Smoothies!

Our smoothies are back! Take a glass from the life-giving springs!

"Jesus answered and said to her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, "Give Me a drink," you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water' " (John 4:10).

"And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17).

Okay, maybe that does not convince you. Perhaps this will:

"In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations" (Revelation 22:2, emphasis added).

"Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine" (Ezekiel 47:12, emphasis added.)

Whether you believe it or not, green smoothies, green juices, and leafy salads are really good for your body - just as important and water, in a way. You see, water gives life; chlorophyll holds it. Water refreshes and revives; food heals and sustains. This is why eating the wrong food reduces optimum health.

Unfortunately, the greens are not back in season; but we are getting a high dose of beta-carotene. Now beta-carotene does not directly translate into vitamin A; it must be assimilated by the body, and your body is smart enough know how much it needs and only convert just that much. This conversion happens in the colon: so whatever is not converted it excreted as waste. In my opinion, plant-based beta-carotene is the best source of vitamin A for this very reason - there is no to get  hypervitaminosis A. The most that will occur is orange pigmentation of the skin (called carotenosis).

Almost-like-Banana Smoothie (yields nearly 6 cups)

• 1 cup of roughly chopped celery (about 2-3 celery stalks)
• 1 cup of roughly chopped apples (about 1.5 medium-small apples)
• 2 cups of roughly chopped carrots (we had small carrots, so I cannot tell you how many carrots to use)
• 4 generous tablespoons ( or 1/4 cup) of raw hemp seeds
• 1/4 of a lime (with skin - although mine had been zested a bit before hand)
• As much water as you could like (I think I did 4-5 cups)

Blend in a high-powered blender until smooth (if your blender is a weaker model, cut the foods into smaller pieces). Pour into glasses and serve immediately.

Basic Carrots Smoothie (yields 5.25 cups)

• 1 stalk of celery
• 4-5 large carrots (about 3 cups, roughly chopped)
• 1 small apple
• About 1/2 cup of walnuts
• 1-6oz yogurt (I used WholeSoy's lemon flavor)
• 1 cup of leftover smoothie (If you don't have this, then just add more water or another yogurt carton.)

Cut foods into pieces that the blender can handle. Add as much water as you need to, and blend till smooth. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.