My best ever green juice recipe

There is no better way to quench your thirst than the coconut water, pineapple and ginger combination. Throw in spinach and spirulina, you have a super green drink! 

I am addicted....

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup coconut water
• 2 handfuls spinach
• 1/2 Persian cucumber or a 2-inch piece regular cucumber
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1/2 inch piece ginger
• fresh mint
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon spirulina
• Squeeze of lime
• Maple syrup to sweeten (optional)
• 2 or 3 ice cubes (optional)

Blend all ingredients and serve.

Matcha is in the air

It's Valentine's Day and 1 degree Fahrenheit out there in New York! Are you cuddling up with a special someone over a cup of hot chocolate by the fire? Let me share with you my favorite way to get cozy - a perfect cup of matcha latte with frothed almond milk.

This high-end green tea is becoming the kale of all drinks because it's packed with chlorophyll, antioxidants and fiber. It boosts metabolism and helps burn calories. It detoxifies, calms the mind and relaxes the body, enhances mood and aids in concentration. For more benefits of matcha, click here or here.

But I fell in love because it has everything I've ever wanted in a hot winter beverage - a slightly caffeinated drink with the right amount of kick that totally works with warm frothed milk.

More and more cafes such as Fika and MatchbarNYC are serving this drink now as a healthier alternative to coffee. To make my own, I ordered a matcha starter kit from Matchabar that consists of a 30g Tin of ceremonial grade matcha, an Aerolatte Electronic Whisk and a bamboo spoon.  You can also order from Amazon.

Here's how I like it: 1/2 tsp of matcha stirred in with 1/3 cup of hot water, topped with frothed home made almond milk and a few drops of honey.

What do you think of that as a real Valentine's Day treat?

Hands down, best green smoothie ever

Don't be intimidated by the multitude of ingredients I use in this healthy morning smoothie. If you pre-wash the greens in bulk, have all the seeds lined up in mason jars at the right place, you can create a liquid breakfast that contains a microcosm of nutrients in less than 5 minutes.

• 4 green veggies -  kale (3 stalks), spinach (a handful), cucumber (1/3), celery (1 stalk).
• Avocado (1/3) and banana (1/2) - two essential ingredients that iron out the fibrous texture of the greens and make the smoothie "smooth".
• 4 super add-ons - chia seeds, ground flax seeds, raw pumpkin seeds, maca powder.
• Unsweetened coconut water (or water).
• Small spoonful of honey for sweetness.

If you start your day with a bright note, everything else falls into place. (Well...more or less!)