The Flu Busting, Immune Boosting Green Drink

A few weeks ago, I got a little bit cocky about flu season.

I’ve still managed to dodge that full-body bullet, so didn’t fully jinx myself. But the stress of our impending move has slowly started to wear me down to the point where I feel like I’m constantly fighting something, even if that something is a tower of boxes.

In case you missed my Sunday newsletter a few weeks ago where I teased this life event (and FYI that’s where I drop all of my personal updates first, so you should join!), yes, we’re moving. No, it’s not to California. We are just going down the street from Vinegar Hill to Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

We’ve kind of sprung this change on a lot of our friends, whose queries have gone a little something like this: But I thought you loved your apartment? Haven’t you only been there 2 years? Don’t you hate moving with a fiery passion? Why NOW?

All of these things are true. But the answer to the last question, which might explain all those before it, is that as of tomorrow we will officially be joint home owners!

While I was very cavalier about discussing my flu season triumphs before flu season was over, I’ve been a little cagey and superstitious about talking about our new home before we had the keys in hand. But that seems imminent now, and I couldn’t be more excited.

It also means that 50 percent of my brain the past few months has been preoccupied with money. Which is why I’m very excited to discuss some aspects of my financial wellness on the blog later this week. For now though, I’m sharing this big update to illustrate why I’ve been so generally strung out and on edge in 2018, and why I’m a little bit nervous now about all that laughing in the face of flu season.

Some people handle big transitions better than others, and I am not one of those strong, mentally graceful people.

Even though we’ve known where we’re going since December, not knowing when for me was incredibly destabilizing. It meant almost two whole months thinking about a move, which meant emotionally, I’ve been living in a home surrounded by boxes for weeks, even though I only packed the first real one yesterday.

Usually in these times of extreme anxiety, I reach for comfort food and wine. But having to maintain my SIBO protocol means that I’ve been making much more responsible decisions, and instead, have turned to as many low FODMAP green things as possible.

This week, that’s meant a lot of green smoothies in an effort to clean out the fridge and put as many immune-boosting things in my body as humanly possible. Today’s recipe is an example of one of these flu-busting green drinks. It’s somewhere between a smoothie and a juice, and is definitely not one of those green drinks that will convert veg skeptics.

“Must love kale” is a prerequisite for this type of potent plant medicine.

If you want to get your green on in the morning without any blood sugar spikes or added sweetness, this is basically salad in a bowl. The cucumber, celery and spinach are on the sweeter side, while the kale, ginger and lime juice give it a slight bitter, spicy tangy punch. If you can’t handle this type of mean green drink, I’d suggest adding half an apple.

I made this immune boosting smoothie in a Vitamix, which does an excellent job of breaking down thick veggies into a juice-like consistency. But if you prefer something with less texture, you can use a juicer or run this mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Either way, I’d recommend for health purposes adding back a little pulp in your glass so that you get some of the fiber.

One of the hardest things about going low FODMAP, in addition to the rampant garlic and onion in restaurant cooking, is that it removes so many healthy vegetables from your plate. Other than side salads, I’ve been having a hard time getting my greens in. These drinks, filled with every low FODMAP green veggie in my arsenal, have been my strategy for supplementing. The only questionable ingredient is celery, but according to the FODMAP queen it’s ok to consume one medium stalk or less in a sitting.

Lastly, for extra immunity, you can add a drop or two of oil of oregano and a pinch of cayenne. But that’s only for expert level plant goddesses, since that flavor will hit you like a Mac truck full of herbs.

I may be a little off the grid these next few weeks as Charlie and I settle in to our new home and begin making it our own for the long haul. Pop into my Instagram stories to get a few sneak peaks!

With health and hedonism,

Xoxo
Phoebe

p.s. If you’re looking to save time in your low FODMAP kitchen, check out some of these fabulous store bought sauces, spice mixes and condiments.

Flu-Busting, Immune-Boosting Green Drink

5 from 1 vote

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This drink is somewhere between a juice and a smoothie, and not for the vegetable lover’s faint of heart. If you want to get your green on in the morning without any blood sugar spikes or added sweetness, this is basically salad in a bowl. The cucumber, celery and spinach are on the sweeter side, while the kale, ginger and lime juice give it a slight bitter, spicy tangy punch. If you can’t handle mean green drinks, you can add half an apple.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 1

Author Phoebe Lapine

Ingredients

• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1 leaf curly or lacinato kale stem removed
• 1 medium rib celery
• 1 medium cucumber peeled and roughly chopped
• 1- inch peeled fresh ginger root
• 1 lime juiced
• Pinch sea salt
• Pinch of cayenne optional
• 2 drops oil of oregano optional
• 1 cup ice

Instructions

• In a high-powered blender, combine the spinach, kale, celery, cucumber, ginger, lime juice, sea salt, cayenne and oregano oil (if using). Add the ice and puree until the mixture is cold, frothy, and smooth. You want the consistency to be somewhere between a juice and a smoothie. Add more ice as necessary.
• Pour the drink into a pint-sized mason jar or glass and enjoy.

If you make this, tag @phoebelapine and #feedmephoebe - I'd love to see it!

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