Green Lemonade

While I am on the subject of 'getting your greens', here is a drink that feels and tastes like an elixir for youth and vitality. The recipe belongs to Natalia Rose, author of  "The Raw Food Detox Diet".  This book is a great introductory read into the whys and hows of the raw food diet.

I am having another love affair with greens. I can't get enough of them, in smoothie, salad or saute form and this green juice is a refreshing and power packed way of ingesting the goodness of greens. I was inspired to have a green lemonade today after months of not having one while visiting a little market in La Mesa called Growers Direct, a local, organic produce shop on University Avenue. My dear friend Shelly (of vegetarian foodie fame) told me about the place months ago, and I finally went today.

The place is adorable, and they sell locally grown produce, eggs and juice. Everyone was very friendly and the prices affordable, definitely cheaper than Whole Foods or the co-op. I think this is a fine local family owned business that San Diego folk should conscientiously support.

Cut to the green lemonade. Here is Natalia Rose's recipe.
         
          Green Lemonade

• 1 head romaine lettuce or celery
• 5 to 6 stalks kale
• 1-2 apples
• 1 whole organic lemon (you don't have to peel it)
• 1-2 inches ginger

Process in a juicer. Or, if you don't have a juicer and do have a blender, you can make it as you would almond milk. First, blend up the apples and lemon (you might have to add more lemon juice or a little bit of water) into a puree. Then add the greens. Blend away until well pulverized and then pour into a paint straining bag over a receptacle. Squeeze and squeeze until the juice is extracted and all that is left in the bag is the pulp. Worms love that stuff, by the way...

I made Natalia's recipe, except I used one whole lemon and the juice of another, as well as the juice of an orange and about 1/4 cup water to get things moving in the blender. I also added an extra apple. I used a blend of romaine, green leaf lettuce and two kinds of kale, all courtesy of Grower's direct. Delicious, and I feel so good after one of these! I recommend it.