Vegetable Smoothie - delicious & nutritious

We often talk about hiding the vegetables in meals from the kiddies.  

To be honest I find it really difficult myself sometime to eat the daily recommended amount of veggies.  

Fruit recommendations (2 per day) I find easy to eat as we usually have a fruit smoothie for breaky or afternoon tea.  

The NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) recommends 5 serves a day - that's 2.5 cups of veggies or 5 cups of salad.  

Diana from the Natural Chemist also tells us that 50% of the food on our plates should be vegetables.  When you take a moment to visualise your daily consumption patterns, most people realise that it can be tricky to eat enough veggies.

We all know that Vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals and we mostly know why our bodies need them.  for example Vitamin C is an antioxidant and the B vitamins are critical in the production of energy in our bodies.  What is less well understood is the benefits of the phytochemicals in vegetables.  It is believed that it is the phytochemicals that protect us from chronic diseases such as heart disease, artherosclerosis, diabetes and stroke. 

We have an ancient juicer (that has to be coaxed into finishing the job somedays but I don't love the concept of composting all of that gorgeous fibre.)

Check out the veggie smoothie I made today.  It is so smooth and so delicious I just had to show you a piccie.

Veggie Smoothie
1 whole carrot, chopped
1 whole orange, peeled
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 whole vine ripened tomato
3cm cube beetroot, halved
few sprigs parsley 
tray of ice cubes 
125ml water to thin (plus extra if desired)

Place all ingredients in the thermomix. Process at speed 10 for 2 minutes.  You might wish to add more water for a thinner more juice like consistency.  The one I made is thick like a boost style juice (but about $5 cheaper).  Enjoy!

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