Today’s post is about a clean & green start to your day.

Because even I will be the first to say that it can’t all be sweet. That will just rot our teeth.

I write this post for all my fellow readers who are trying to keep up with the whirlwind of a life we all seem to be living. 

The other morning, I was on the elliptical with the December issue of Fitness Magazine.  My daily scene…sweat, shower, and run out the door to work, or wherever it is I am going (with this green smoothie in hand, I kid you not!).

On this particular day, the title of a feature article from the magazine jumped out at me from the page. 

“Lost In The Rush:  I hoped that the faster I ran, the less my mind would race.  But I learned it’s often better to let your thoughts catch up with you.”

I felt as if I was being quoted. 

The woman in the article talked about going through life, always working hard to accomplish what she wanted to be. “For as long as I can remember, I lived not in the moment but for the future." 

She was running faster and faster in life to achieve success. But, not stopping to enjoy the present.  She heard a Crossfit trainer telling a group:  ”It’s not the PR that matters, but the work you put into it.  The reward has to come from the activity itself, not just the results.“

Deep stuff, I know.  But that article really hit home.  Sometimes we all just need to stop. 

For years, sports and my fitness routine were engrained in me. It was just a part of who I was.  Nowadays, with the constant busyness of daily life, it seems as though my daily sweat sessions have become my meditation and cleansing-time.  My long runs were driven by my racing thoughts… trying to outrun it all (I even used to say that law school made me run faster).

The next morning after I read the article, I laced up my shoes and did a long run around my favorite path in Forest Park, right outside my apartment.

The sun reflected off the white snow; ducks were in the ponds; and the sky was blue. Fellow runners waved as they passed by.

That morning, I didn’t run because I had to; or to get my workout in; or to relieve my stress.  But, I ran because the day was beautiful… and I ran because I could.  And for that, I was grateful.

Then, I whipped up this green drink…

And you know what?  The world was little bit more clear. 

Clean Green Apple Smoothie  (1 serving)

• 1 big handful fresh spinach or kale
• ¼ cup Greek nonfat yogurt
• 1 small apple (golden delicious or any sweet red variety)
• ½ cup sliced cucumber, seedless
• few pinches of cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground flaxseed
• few leaves of fresh basil, mint or parsley (optional)
• lemon zest and/or juice (optional)
• cold water, as needed (depending on how thick you want it)

Directions:

- Blend the yogurt, water, cucumber, herbs, cinnamon, flax, lemon, and apple until well blended.

- Add in the spinach and blend for 1 minute or 2 until very well blended. 

- Enjoy right away or store in the refrigerator. If you make this the night before like I do, shake it up the next morning before eating.

This time of year, when everyone is crazy busy and very much caught up in the chaos of the Holidays, let’s all just stop and look around.  Because it is a time to enjoy the present and be thankful for everyone we love in our life.

It is also a time to eat homemade treats. Because the season just requires it. 

But, it is also a time eat good, clean food.  Because our bodies and mind deserve it.