Essential smoothie: tart green
Can you feel it? The days are brighter, the earth is tilting toward the sun… I’d say ‘spring is here’, but spring tends to do a quick-trot right past Delhi, so it’s probably more fair to say that summer is around the corner. I love this time of year. The flowers are in bloom, people are sunnier than usual, and there’s that sense of lightness that only clement weather can provide.
It’s a lovely time to shed layers, and discard all that suddenly feels unnecessary. I’ve felt this desire to purge every time I’ve looked into my wardrobe this month, and last evening I gave in to that prickle, making Kondo-esque piles of clothing and everything else I found inside my dresser and cupboards. It took two hours and two playlists, but this morning I’ve woken up to a home that feels lighter and fresher, and three giant bags that will soon be on their way to new owners.
Our palates tend to feel this change as well, starting to hanker for lighter, more delicate flavours that act like a tonic, waking up all that has lain dormant through the colder months. Fresh juice and sweet greens, things with crunch, that leave you feeling as fresh as the day outside. I’ve been drinking my smoothies through winter, but there were days, I’ll admit, when I wanted to just swap them out for a hot chocolate. But the payoff is worth it, which is why I persisted. Now, with the sun out, they’re a treat again. Having one of these in the morning creates a sort of gradual snowball effect; maybe in a week or two you want to make it a double, or you skip your third cup of coffee in favour of one of these (I currently carry two Nutribullet containers of this stuff with me to work). Among other things, a green smoothie will help your liver function better, and your guts absolutely love the stuff. It’ll help your hormones and skin woes sort themselves out as well. Your skin is a direct reflection of what’s happening in your guts; when I’m eating a lot of cheese or dairy in general it usually starts to protest, but when I’m drinking this stuff (and not eating ice cream, hello Naturals tender coconut), it’s all better.
“Our palates tend to feel this change as well, starting to hanker for lighter, more delicate flavours that act like a tonic, waking up all that has lain dormant through the colder months.”
When it comes to your morning (or noon or night) smoothie, variety is important. Pick seasonal veg, and add in little handfuls of seasonal fruit. I like a cucumber base when it’s hot, and celery is just great for everything (plus, delicious, which is just bonus). Make it your own. If you’re new to…green things, it might seem daunting to drink something this colour, but without sounding like too much of a twat about it, it’s a freshness that your body will soon yearn for. Plus this one’s an easy introduction because it also has some sweetness.
Recipe
Combine two peeled and rough-chopped cucumber with a handful of celery, a smaller handful of green grapes, a big wedge of peeled ginger, and the juice of two limes. Add ice and blend, blend, blend. Drink immediately.
