Acknowledgments
I would like to say thank you to all of the amazing people who helped me turn the dream for this book into a reality!
To my amazing husband, Jimmy, who has been so wonderfully supportive in every step of this books production. Thank you for always encouraging me to follow my dreams and for sharing in my excitement every step of the way! Thank you for creating an amazing life with me that only gets better each, and every, day! You are the best husband and the best friend anyone could ever ask for!
To my wonderful children, Lilly, Lonni, and JD: thank you for making my life absolutely amazing and more than I ever dreamed it could be. Because of you, I always want to be better, yet try to appreciate what I have and what I am every day. I look at the three of you and hope to live a long, healthy life, to have the privilege of watching you grow and learn, to love you as beautiful children and amazing adults, and to know that I helped make this world a better place by bringing three of the most wonderful people into it. I love you more than youll ever know!
To my dad: Thank you for everything! I love you so much, and I will be forever grateful to you for showing me the value of being a good person. Thank you for teaching me to follow my dreams and never give up! Youre the best dad and I love you!
To my brother, Neal: Your dedication to our never-ending sibling competitiveness inspires me that much more!
To my mom: I love you!
To the most sincere, supportive, positive, and loving best friend anyone could ever ask for: Jaimee, I cant tell you how thankful I am to have someone as wonderful as you in my life. Without your help, this book would never have been possible.
To the wonderful editors at Adams Media, namely Andrea Hakanson, for making this book possible.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Introduction
White. Red. Orange. Yellow. Green. Blue. Violet. Sound familiar? It should! These are the colors of the rainbow and today they represent a lot more than just a pretty optical illusion. Here, youll learn how to eat the rainbowto use brightly colored produce, each with its own high amounts of different concentrated nutrientsand reap the benefits of the wide variety of vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function at its best. You see, each distinct color, whether it be yellow or green or blue, has its own unique phytochemicals that indicate the powerful vitamins and minerals contained in those specifically colored foods. For example, a single cup of bright orange carrots provides almost seven times an entire days worth of vitamin A in addition to a healthy helping of beta-carotene and potassium, while a cup of deep green spinach contains eleven times an entire days worth of vitamin K boosted by its rich content of lutein and folate. And what better way to make sure that your body is getting the serious life-changing health benefits it deserves than through a healthy, delicious smoothie!
You may wonder why something as simple as a smoothie would be the perfect remedy for a less-than-nutritional diet. Well, getting into a new routine that focuses on better nutrition is a perfect place to start proactively changing your life for the better. Still, it can be difficult to find a quick, easy way to fit these nutrients into your busy schedule. Fortunately, a smoothie is something thats quickly prepared, easy to drink on the go, designed to your tastes, and packed with tons of valuable nutrients. Its honestly one of the healthiest meal or snack options available. With delicious produce that can satisfy your hunger with great taste and powerful health benefits, these tailor-made delights may just become your new favorite food!
You want to make sure to prepare your smoothies yourself, though. Almost everyone has taken note of the smoothie movement, and these pured fruit and vegetable sensations are popping up in the most unexpected places. Even popular fast-food chains have started introducing fruit smoothies on their menus as some of their healthier options. While these fruit concoctions may tote labels like fresh fruit and fresh ingredients, these not-so-super smoothies are packed full of excessive amounts of sugar, fat, and calories, which far outweigh any benefits that they may bring to the table. While it may be tempting to opt for one of these quick-stop smoothies, keep in mind that you didnt create that smoothie, so you dont know what went into it. Instead, stay on the safe side and opt for a homemade, hand-selected, health-minded smoothie with benefits that will far outweigh those of any restaurants smoothie every single time.
So, get ready to sip the rainbow! After all, the pot of gold that youll find at the end is full of healthy, nutritious, delicious, and easy-to-make smoothies that will get you started on the path to looking good and feeling even better! Enjoy!
Part 1
Find Your
Rainbow
The vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables found throughout this book work their magic in ways as unique as their shades. Each piece of produce is full of its own blend of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that impacts different areas and functions of the body in different ways. In this part, youll learn about the benefits each vitamin, mineral, and phytochemical provides as well as what nutrients are found in each fruit, veggie, and herb that youll use to create your smoothies. The bottom line is this: You can take control of Your health and better your life by indulging in delicious, nutritious smoothie combinations that make drinking the rainbow easier than you ever thought possible!
Chapter 1
Natures
Formula for
Better Health
E very day, millions of people around the world suffer from lack of energy, lack of focus, and restless sleep. But why settle for exhaustion when you can live a great life thats packed with days of energizing, long-lasting, productive satisfaction? Feeling great, looking great, and living your life to the fullest every day can become your new reality!
It sounds simplistic, but the truth is that you are what you eat and drink. And, while we all know that studies and research have shown the importance of consuming fruits and vegetables, few of us eat the five daily servings that are recommended by the USDA. But, by eatingand drinking!an abundance of natural produce with as many colors as possible, you can deliver a wide spectrum of nutrients to your body. In this chapter, youll learn how the vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients in the smoothies found in this book will turn your body into a clean, fuel-burning machine. Specifically, youll learn the importance of phytochemicals and polyphenols, and youll learn how sipping the rainbow will help you feel great, live a terrific life, and thoroughly enjoy every day just by improving your nutrition. So lets learn how you can make the most of the foods you choose!
Color Me Healthy