Green Smoothies

I stumbled upon this brilliant woman named Robyn a few months ago...aka, the green smoothie girl. She is committed to living and teaching good health and is most famous for her green smoothies. My first attempt at a green smoothie was a few weeks ago and turned out very, very badly. I was trying to make them in a little cup-sized blender and messed up the portions of each ingredient I was suppose to add. Well a week ago I finally got motivated to try again....and it worked!! I can honestly say I've been drinking a quart of green smoothie every day and enjoying it. They taste good and are EXTREMELY healthy. I encourage anyone and everyone who is searching for methods to better health to give green smoothies a go, or at least to check out Robyn's website or blog. Drinking green smoothies clean out your system, assist weight loss, help eliminate/prevent numerous health problems, boost energy and are a simple and quick way to get your veggies!

Here is a recipe for first-time green smoothie makers that is similar to Robyn's. If you want to purchase her complete '12 Steps to Whole Food' booklet, you can find it on her website. It is pretty pricey but if you purchase the downloadable version it is only $49 and very worth the cost if you are committed to your health! It's more cheep then going to the doctor.

Easy First-Timer Green Smoothie Recipe

1¾ C water or juice (I use juice...%100 percent of course)
1 Tbsp. honey
1 10-oz. bag spinach (it looks like a ton, and it is, but it shrinks in the blender)
1 banana

2 C frozen mixed berries

1 peach, pear, apple, or orange

Blend all until very smooth. Pour in glasses and enjoy, or refrigerate for up to 48 hours. Makes about 3 pints. With the frozen berries it actually ends up looking purple which is much more appetizing then green. I've also experimented with collard greens, purple lettuce, romaine lettuce, and kale. Spinach blends the best (gets really smooth) in my blender. The others tend to make the smoothie kind of chunky. It doesn't bother me but might not be appealing to those of more finicky tastes. Don't give up if it doesn't work the first time! I've given mine to friends and siblings without mentioning the ingredients, and they down them just like my all-fruit smoothies.

The Beautiful Mess of a Child

"I brought children into this dark world because it needed the light that only a child could bring."

~Liz Ambruster

Walking into my room last night, I was greeted by a floor full of scattered crayons and a dozen white papers with the scribbles of my best 2-year-old friend, Eden. She'd spent most of the afternoon at my house, coloring and chasing around my 14-year-old brother and his friend. I've been Eden's nanny since she was an infant, and oh how her endearing smile and personality have brightened my life.

Instead of picking up the crayons and throwing away the pictures, I found myself stepping over them, a warm feeling swelling in my heart. In fact they are still on my floor today as I write this. As Eden has taught me about the wonders of childhood, I've learned to let go of stress and the imperfections of youth a bit more. I don't flip when I turn around in the car and she is yanking everything out of my wallet. I don't mind when she spalshes nail polish over my whole foot. I let her dig up as many worms as her little heart desires. I try to slow down and go her pace through the mall so she can walk on her own. I find a mess of crayons on the floor a pleasant reminder of the child playing there, verses another mess to clean up.

Don't grow up too fast, little girl.

Lonely

"The most terrible poverty is that of loneliness."

Hold on...where is the independent Jenna I always thought I was? Where's the Jenna that doesn't need anyone else? Where is the Jenna who will live a perfectly happy and fulfilled life while waiting for her prince to find her?

The truth is unveiled: That Jenna never existed.

It would seem I am not the type that is capable of being completely happy on my own. Because wow, people....I AM LONELY. Not the type of lonely that just anyone can cure, either. But the type of lonely that only that certain someone can remedy. Well, my dear prince, wherever you may be...I am excited to meet you. Perhaps I already know you. But I am excited to meet you. I am excited to make this a family blog where I can write about all of our adventures and post our adorable pictures. I'm sure you are off doing amazing things for the world, and that you are quite busy becoming the type of man you were sent here to be.

I do wonder if you ever think of me as I do of you...

Until God leads us into each others lives...I will do my best to make this time count. I'll try my hardest to let God mold me into the type of woman you need by your side. Sometimes the process is painful; growing usually is, but it is worth it for you. Hold on for me. You know, somehow, I already love you.

Don't wait too long to find me, okay?