The thing about long weekends is that even if I don’t leave my house, I still consider them a vacation. And on vacations anything goes. There are no rules. And for this reason, I (and unfortunately the rest of my family) tend to eat whatever and whenever. Chips for dinner, anyone? Way too much wine, anyone?  Leftover pie/cake/cookies with a side of coffee for breakfast, anyone?

And this is fun. Really fun.

For a short period of time.

But after a long weekend, the thought of eating like this losses its appeal and you start to crave something healthy. Something with vegetables or fruit or both. A kickstart to the new, more healthy you. A green juice for you and a green puree for the baby. Because I am going to be honest and once our healthy baby food leftovers were gone, it was chips for the little one as well. A healthy kickstart for the both of us.

This green juice/puree was inspired by my friend Jules, who is a juicing addict. She can talk about different combinations of juices and juicers for days. This is a paired down version of one of her go to green juices – kale, spinach, zucchini, apples with a hint of parsley and ginger. This juice/puree is brimming with nutrients – Fiber (insoluble and soluble), Vitamin A, C and K, Calcium, Iron, Selenium, Potassium and so much more. It is a green booster shot for you body. While it is full of green [scary] vegetables it has the apples [yummy] to balance it out. Not too sweet. Just right. And a puree that is full of both vegetables and fruit will make any mommy happy.

Kale + Spinach + Apples + Zucchini + Parsley + Ginger

Baby Green Puree

3 small organic apples
3 organic leafs of kale
1 cup organic baby spinach
1/2 organic zucchini
1 small handful parsley
1/4 tsp fresh ginger

Wash all ingredients. In a medium sized steam pot, heat water to a boil. Meanwhile, chop apples into quarters, leave skin on. Cut zucchini into 1 inch pieces. Cut steams off of kale and parsley. Toss apples and zucchini into steam pot first, followed by the kale, spinach and zucchini. Steam for 5 minutes.
Let cool for 3-5 minutes. Put all ingredients into a blender or food processor. Grate ginger, add to other ingredients. Blend until smooth. I recommend serving this puree in a reusable pouch because the smell is a little on the strong side.

Mommy Green Juice

2 small organic apples
3 organic leafs of kale
1 cup organic baby spinach
1/4 organic zucchini
1 small handful parsley
1/4 tsp fresh ginger
1 cup almond milk
1 -2 cup ice, depending on taste

Wash all ingredients. If using a blender – put all ingredients into blender adding almond milk until you get the consistency you prefer. Blend until smooth.
If using juicer, put kale and spinach in first followed by remaining ingredients (omit – almond milk and ice). Stir.