Kermit the Kale

To drink or not to drink... that is the question. 

And no, I'm not talking about alcohol here.

Smoothies versus juice.

Smoothies versus juice versus eating three pounds of kale for breakfast.

The information out there on juice and smoothies is mind boggling, and most of it contradictory.

Smoothies and juice are good for your body. 

It's better to eat that two pounds of carrots, cucumber, celery and kale than to drink it.

Both blending and juicing set the stage for better absorption of vitamins, minerals and whatever else is in that two pounds of carrots, cucumber, celery and kale.     

You should blend to get all the lovely fibre from your fruits, greens and veggies.

You should juice to remove the fibre so all those awesome nutrients are better absorbed by your awesome body. 

You shouldn't juice at all because, well, once you remove all the fibre, it's no better than eating out of the sugar bowl, and soon you will be as high as a kite, only to come crashing down into a puddle of your own tears an hour later. 

If you keep all that lovely fibre in and make a smoothie, you will be consuming too many calories and you will begin to resemble the shape of your blender. 

Once those fruits, greens and veggies are shredded in that chubby little blender of yours, all the nutrients will be annihilated and you might as well just suck back a glass full of cardboard. 

Sigh.  What's a girl to do? 

Honestly, I don't know who is wrong and who is right in the great smoothie and juice debates.  What I do have to say, though, is what I have to say about most things.  Do what works for you and what makes you feel your best. 

Are most people going to sit down and eat a head of kale, a cucumber, four carrots, an orange and a beet at one time?  I think not. 

Well, nobody I know, anyway. 

Drinking the equivalent?  Most definitely.  Is drinking my kale equivalent to eating it?  Maybe not.  Calories?  Pshaw!  Hmm, a glass of green goodness or four Oreos?  Well, maybe not a fair comparison, but I think you get my point. 

I juice or have a smoothie pretty much every day.  And I find it has made a huge difference in the way I feel.  I just don't have the same energy if I skip my morning smoothie or my afternoon juice.  And no, I don't collapse into a pile of mush afterwards.  Quite the opposite, really.   

So give it a try, see how you feel, and decide for yourself.  I'll share some of my favourite juice and smoothie recipes from time to time.  Here's one of my favourites.

Kermit the Kale

Serves 1

• 2 good-sized handfuls of kale
• 1-inch piece of ginger
• 2 carrots
• 1 pear
• 1 orange

Juice the kale and the ginger first.  Follow with the carrots and pear.  Finish with the orange.  Pour into a glass and enjoy!