Holisti-Kitchen: Cleansing Grassfed Collagen Green Juice

Guest blog by Chef Kathryn Rogers of Vivacious Dish

Boost Your Health with Cleansing Green Juice

Every morning is an opportunity for a fresh start. No matter what you did or how you ate yesterday, today is your day to take care of your body. When you wake up to each new day, before you start running through your mental to-do list, check in with your body. You can start by asking a simple question: “What does my body most desire to eat for optimum energy and good feelings throughout the day?”

The first time you asked this question, your body might not have much to say. But in time, asking this question each day, your body may start to speak more and more clearly. Sometimes your body may respond via a food craving or some spontaneous recipe inspiration. For example, if you wake up yearning for a big glass of bone broth made from pasture-raised chickens and a side of sautéed greens, you will know your body is asking for nourishment and gentle gut healing.

Other mornings your body may tell you what it desires via mild symptoms – perhaps a slight headache or sluggish energy getting out of bed. These are the days you will benefit most from a cleansing food, like this favorite green juice recipe – especially appropriate for springtime as we transition from the heavier winter months to the lightness and brightness of summertime. When we adapt our diets and lifestyles to align with the change in seasons, we improve digestion, balance immunity and increase positive energy.

So how does green juice enhance your body’s cleansing power?

• Kale (and other dark leafy greens) is packed full of potassium, vitamin B6 and fiber, which is great for scrubbing out your digestive system and has been shown to help with digestion and contribute to reducing heart disease risk.
• Dandelion greens help aid in digestion and stimulate kidney and gallbladder function, two of your major detox organs. Studies have also looked at dandelion’s effect on helping to reduce cancer risk.
• Parsley (all varieties) is high in vitamins A, C and K, which are great for boosting immunity and reducing inflammation.
• Ginger root is also anti-inflammatory and immune boosting.
• Lemon Juice can increase stomach enzyme function, stimulating digestion, and is high in citric acid, which has been shown to improve kidney function.

For an added boost, stir in a scoop of your favorite pasture-raised, hydrolyzed collagen protein that dissolves easily in any liquid and supports healthy hair, skin, bones and joints, as well as a healthy digestive system and gut healing.  

Unlike a cold pressed juice where the fibers are discarded, when you make this green juice in a your high powered blender (Vitamix, Blendtec, Ninja, etc.), you are getting all the delicious and powerfully scrubbing vegetable fibers along with the juice. And you aren’t throwing away any excess vegetable pulp, helping to reduce food waste. Not to mention the cost savings of making green juice at home!

Most importantly, sourcing vegetables from farmers committed to Holistic Management® practices helps to regenerate the soil, promotes a healthy ecosystem and makes for the most nutrient dense produce for optimum health and wellness.

Here’s to starting your days fresh and clean, and supporting a healthier world at the same time!

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Cleansing Green Juice Recipe

To learn how to make a quick and nutrient dense green juice at home, watch this video from Chef Kathryn Rogers of Vivacious Dish:

• YIELD: 2 cups (1-2 servings)
• PREP: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 3 leaves organic kale any variety
• 2 stalks organic celery
• 1/4 organic cucumber
• 6 leaves organic dandelion
• 1 handful organic parsley
• 1 knob organic ginger root
• 1/2 organic lemon, peeled
• 1/4 organic green apple (optional)

Instructions

1. Remove the most starchy stalks on the kale and discard. Cut the celery stalks into 3 inch pieces and the cucumber into two-inch rounds. Peel the ginger with your knife and cut into small chunks.
2. Place all ingredients in your high powered blender. Add the 1/4 apple if you want a slightly more sweet taste. If you can go without it, do. It’s only purpose here is to add a little sweetness to balance the taste of the bitter greens.
3. Add 2 cups filtered water to your blender. Blend on high until everything is completely liquified.
4. Pour into a glass, using a large spoon as you pour to skim any foam. Stir in collagen protein if desired. Enjoy!

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Kathryn Rogers is a Conscious Chef with more than 15 years’ experience creating colorful dishes from locally sourced ingredients. She believes that food has the power to change the world – both in our own bodies through nourishing, clean ingredients that fuel whole health and in our larger community by supporting sustainable and regenerative farmers committed to improving the environment and treating workers and livestock ethically and humanely.  She splits her time between San Diego, CA and Carson City, NV, where she teaches cooking classes and offers catering and private chef services. Find her recipes for deliciously vibrant living at VivaciousDish.com.

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Holistic Management International’s mission is to educate people in regenerative agriculture for healthy land and thriving communities.

We have helped farmers and ranchers in 130 countries learn and practice Holistic Management for the past 3 decades. You can read some of their Success Stories to learn how Holistic Management has changed their lives and impacted their land.

As a non-profit organization, HMI is always grateful for donations in support of our mission. You can help regenerate land for healthy food and healthy lives with many giving options including scholarships for farmer/rancher training. Learn more here.