For Mother's Day this year, along with a trip to a cabin in Flagstaff, my husband bought me my first juicer. I've wanted one for so, so long and just never brought myself to spend the money on one. That and I heard they were a P A I N to clean and ain't no mama got time for that.

He however, found me an AMAZING one that is the easiest EVER to clean. This is the one he got me and it's fairy inexpensive when it comes to kitchen appliances that work really well. For the recipe below, YOU DO NOT NEED A JUICER. Just a good blender. So you can keep reading if you have yet to snag yourself a good juicer. 

The first juice I made at the cabin was a bust because I put a banana in it. NEWBIE ALERT. Don't do that. Bananas are not meant for juicers haha. If you want to add banana, put your juice in a blender with a banana and blend to finish. 

When we returned home, however, I was SUPER excited to hit the farmers market for all the goodies to whip up a morning juice for me and my boys. I made a Carrot Beet juice full of iron and goodies along with some fruits and I'll be posting that shortly.

In addition to my new juices I've been in the mood to whip up a ton of new smoothies and I actually make this one every other morning now to accompany some granola, eggs or oatmeal. 

The recipe is SUPER easy and I'm excited to roll out more smoothie and juicing recipes this summer as the temps heat up. 

Mr. Charming is a smoothie master. He always manages to pack so much into his smoothies and his flavors are tangy, sweet and dimensional. This is one of his go-to's, and our homes go-to, when we feel like we are battling the sniffles. 

Packed with Vitamin C, bromelain, vitamin A and protein, this smoothie is a knockout powerhouse immunity booster. 

Ingredients:
10 oz. Orange Juice (no sugar added)
6 oz. Apple Juice (no sugar added, we use Simply Apple)
1 Banana
1/2 C. Frozen Mango
1 C. Frozen Pineapple
1 Scoop Everlast Protein Powder in Vanilla
5 Small Fresh or Frozen Strawberries (or 3 large)


Directions:
Blend and enjoy! 

2 handfuls of organic spinach (fresh or frozen)
1 tsp. grated and peeled fresh ginger
2 cups frozen organic peaches
1 1/4 c. filtered water 


blend well. 

This morning, as I went to make my usually berry coconut smoothie with my anti-inflammatory protein powder, I started perusing my fridge for vegetables I should toss in.  Then I saw on my bag of organic spinach and saw the word folate in big letters, and thought done and done.

I recently found out my body doesn't make folate.  Or doesn't hold it, or process it, I'm still figuring it all out with my docs, all I know is I need some.  So I tossed a bunch in.  The thing I love about spinach is that I can't taste it when its mixed in with all my berries. 


Ingredients:
A handful of organic baby spinach leaves
A handful of fresh or frozen organic strawberries, slightly thawed
1 C. pure Blueberry Juice (no sugars!)
1 C. Coconut Milk
1-2 Scoops of protein powder of choice (mine is banana flavored, which makes the shake more fruity)

Directions:
Mix in your Ninja Blender and drink while chilled.

*you may opt to add 1/2 a banana for more creaminess or to get the banana flavor mine has.  I don't digest banana well, so I leave it out, but it is an option for a thicker smoothie.