There are so many delicious combinations of vegetable to use for making juice. Here’s one of my favorite’s just to, well, get the juices flowing. Be creative, try new things…whatever is in season.

 Jess’s V-8 juice:
1 clove garlic (I put this in first…the answer to that is for another post!)
2 large leaves of rainbow chard or kale
4 medium stalks of celery
½ bunch of parsley (I like the Italian variety)
1 medium tomato
1 small carrot or beet
1/3 cup sliced cabbage
½ apple (for a touch of sweetness!)

I kick off almost everyday with my favorite breakfast, a blueberry smoothie. It’s quick, easy to fix, filling and satisfying, and, oh, so delicious. And, of course, it is so darn good for me…

Blueberries are delectable, little bundles packed with all kinds of nutrients. These amazing bitter-sweet berries are one of the richest fruits in anti-oxidant capacity warding off free radicals that can damage healthy cells and tissue. Blueberries are also one of the best sources of pectin, a fiber effective in lowering cholesterol levels. And these tasty berries are a great source of vitamin C and manganese as well as a good amount of vitamin A. It is a native American plant related to the cranberry and the bilberry. Like these other berries, blueberries contain bioflavonoids, specifically, anthocyanin, that are useful in combating urinary tract infections and bacterial caused intestinal distress because of its antibacterial properties. And similar to their cousin, the bilberry, blueberries support eye function.

Now really, how much more could you ask of a berry?

My Favorite Breakfast:

-1 cup organic, plain European style* yogurt  with active cultures of lactobacillus acidophilus and b. bifidus  (gotta love those probiotics – more on that later)
-1 cup organic or wild blueberries
-1 scoop whey protein powder equivalent to 8 grams of protein (check the label;  the amount of protein per scoop differs from brand to brand)

Blend all ingredients in blender, pour into tall glass, and enjoy! See how simple that is?

*European style yogurt is not as thick as the typical Dannon style yogurt. European style yogurt works well in a smoothie because you can actually drink it rather than needing to use a spoon!

Variations:
While blueberries are head-and-shoulders above other fruits as far as anti-oxidant power goes, there are so many other wonderful fruits with which to experiment. Try different fruits as they come into season: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, peaches, nectarines, pears, oranges…even watermelon. Use your imagination!

Note: if you choose to use a non-fat yogurt, it is important to supplement the smoothie with a few (like 10) of your favorite nuts – on the side, of course. Almonds or hazelnuts are great choices. Some people enjoy a tablespoon of almond butter blended right into the smoothie – gives it a nice smooth, rich taste.