Getting Healthy Series: A Green Juice Recipe You’ll Actually Drink

Ok, so you’ve been a little naughty on the diet lately. Maybe too many wings or burgers and fries? Loaded up on the cheesy nachos? Perhaps a bit too many chocolates, and now those jeans don’t fit quite right? If so, then now is a good time to learn how to make green juice!

One of our favorite ingredients for healthy dishes (and sometimes drinks!) is kale. By itself, it may not be as exciting as, say, a bowl of potato chips. However, according to WebMD, choosing super-nutritious kale on a regular basis may provide significant health benefits, including cancer protection and lowered cholesterol.

Kale is one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet. One cup of kale contains 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber, and 15% of the daily requirement of calcium and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), 40% of magnesium, 180% of vitamin A, 200% of vitamin C, and 1,020% of vitamin K. It is also a good source of minerals copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus.

Kale’s health benefits are primarily linked to the high concentration and excellent source of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and K — and sulphur-containing phytonutrients.

So check out this delicious, easy juice recipe from the Crave Local recipe kitchen. It’s tasty, good for you, and will give you just the jump start to healthy eating that you need this season.  Yes, it’s green. But in a nice way, so drink up!

Green Goddess Juice
by The Crave Local Test Kitchen

Serves 2

• 1/2 a fresh honeydew, chilled and cut into cubes
• 2 limes, peeled
• 1/2 bunch of mint
• 2″ slice of fresh ginger
• 4 leaves of kale, gently crushed and torn into pieces
• 1/2 Hass avocado, chilled
• 10 drops of vanilla Stevia drops

Slowly load all ingredients into a juicer, and begin extracting all ingredients. The avocado will be a bit pulpy-not to worry, because it’s going to lend a great creamy kick to the drink.

Strain off the bubbly foam, and stir. Pour over ice into tall glasses, garnish with mint. Enjoy!

Don’t forget, you can save your juicing leftovers to add to muffins, or even your garden. Just toss them into the compost, and let nature give you a green start on spring!