Green Kiwi Tangerine Smoothie

Now that Easter is done (and all the candy is gone), it is time to get back on track.  No more of this "eat-all-the-chocolate-you-want-because-calories-don't-count-on-holidays-or-the-three-days-preceeding-them" attitude.  It also means that the twins are back in school and I have to get to resume my morning gym/long run routine.  Three or four mornings a week, I go to the gym and do 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of weight training. Then one or two days a week, I go for a 6-10 mile run (depending on how motivated I am).

Before my "spring break," I was also doing yoga most afternoons and Saturday mornings, and it wasn't until I went a week without it that I realized how much my body has fallen in love with the practice in such a short amount of time.  I feel so much more peace throughout the day and I feel much more comfortable and "at home" in my own body.  Little things that my teachers say resonate with me, not just in class, but in my daily life.  I find myself, when in an uncomfortable situation, breathing more deeply because "Life is easier when you take deep breaths."  I give myself much more grace for not meeting my own expectations because "Falling down is part of the process."  I've taken yoga here and there throughout my life but never have I been this passionate about it.

It is so easy to think about the past or the future, things that happened or things that you need to do, things that you used to have or things that you want.  It becomes very easy to lose sight of right now, when in reality, that is all that exists.  All of that other stuff only exists in your brain, what is here and now is all that is real.  Yoga is such a good reminder to focus on being exactly where your body is and it truly helps me recognize that in my daily life.  Right now is not about to-do lists or that fight you had with your mom twenty years ago.  It's about the fact that you are living, breathing, existing and at this moment you have all that you need to do those things.  How great is that?!!!

Another thing I've fallen in love with is smoothies.  I love the idea of blending a ton of vitamins and minerals and nutrients together and then fueling my body with this delicious concoction.  One of the best ways to celebrate being alive is by nurturing the vessel that gives you that life.  My most recent smoothie obsession?  Green Kiwi Tangerine Smoothies.  Tangerines and Kiwis contain tons of anti-oxidants, vitamin C and fiber, but kiwis also are a great source of vitamins A and K, potassium, magnesium, iron, and their seeds are rich in omega 3 fatty acids.  Then on top of all that, there's kale in this smoothie, which has all of the above mentioned nutrients in spades, but is also loaded with cancer-preventing agents and B-vitamins.  Top that with some almond milk, silken tofu for protein, and flax meal for even more fiber and essential fatty-acids and you have yourself a super-fuel that is super-delicious.

GREEN KIWI TANGERINE SMOOTHIE

makes 1 huge smoothie or 2 medium smoothies

Ingredients:

• ½ a box of silken tofu
• 1 cup of almond milk
• 1 cup of kale, stems removed, roughly chopped (can use other dark leafy green)
• 1 large kiwi, or 2 tiny kiwi
• 1 tangerine
• 1 T flax meal
• 1 T agave syrup
• 3-4 ice cubes

Instructions:

• Add all ingredients to blender, and puree until smooth.  Scrape sides as needed.  When it’s done, there should be no little pieces of leaves floating around- it’s completely smooth.

• Enjoy!

This week, I'm getting back on track, but with a new focus: Be present in my body.  Be kind to my body.  Celebrate my body.

What are your favorite ways to celebrate life?

All Photos by Kristy Turner

© Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (content and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.