GUELPH, Ont. — The arrival of warmer weather comes with more people getting outside for some fresh air and regular activities, be it rigorous exercise, a gentle walk, regular yard works or a hike through the woods.
When regular outdoor exercise or activity increase, it helps to clean up the eating habits and create a healthier lifestyle overall. When putting thought to smarter food choices, smoothies are a great addition to the menu. Delicious, refreshing and regenerating, with the right ingredients they can also be made to pack a powerful punch of nutrients.
“It can be a challenge to change years of eating habits when trying to choose more healthy foods,” says Cheryl Verbiski, Vice President, Commercial at GoodLeaf Farms. “But small changes can make a big difference. Adding microgreens to a smoothie recipe can pack up to 40 times more nutrients than using their mature plant counterparts — and they have an incredible flavour profile as well! ”
With a flagship farm in Guelph, Ont., and new farms in Calgary and Montreal expected to open later this year, GoodLeaf Farms is Canada’s largest commercial vertical farm. Because it is a climate-controlled indoor operation, GoodLeaf’s nutrient-dense, pesticide-free baby greens and microgreens can be grown year-round, protected from drastic swings in seasonal weather or extreme weather event, providing an excellent source of local food that has historically been imported.
There are many ways to incorporate fresh and nutritious leafy greens into healthy eating habits, including these simple, delicious smoothies:
- Cherry Berry Smoothie – The tasty Cherry Berry smoothie will have you feeling like you are in the tropics. To make four servings, place five Medjool dates and two cups of water in blender and let sit five minutes, then blend on low until smooth. Add one package of GoodLeaf Micro Arugula, ½ cup of frozen pineapple, ½ cup of frozen mango, one cup of frozen mixed berries and one cup of frozen pitted cherries. Blend on medium low or on smoothie setting until fully combined, approximately one minute. The arugula adds an excellent dose of vitamin K to this drink.
- Make Ahead Smoothie – Don’t have enough time to make a new smoothie every morning? The Make Ahead smoothie solves that problem. Simply divide the ingredients into four mason jars, freeze, and you’ll have a nutritionally dense breakfast in less than two minutes. In each container, place ¼ package of your favourite GoodLeaf microgreens (it doesn’t matter which ones!), half an avocado, half a banana, ¾ cup of mango and pineapple and ¼ of a palm-sized nub of ginger. Freeze until ready to use. When ready to eat, simply dump into blender, add one cup of cold water, a squeeze of fresh lime and blend until smooth. Makes four servings.
- Citrus Mint Juice — A refreshing juice with the perfect pop of mint, the Citrus Mint Juice smoothie works for you any time of the day. In a blender, add ½ cup of your choice of GoodLeaf microgreens, ½ of a peeled grapefruit, ½ of a peeled orange, the juice from half of a lemon, two tablespoons of honey, 5 mint leaves, ½ cup of ice cubes and ½ cup of cold water. Blend on medium speed (or smoothie setting) until fully combined. Serve immediately and enjoy!
- Cucumber Microgreen Mojito — This is the true treat on this menu — the drink to enjoy at the end of a long day when it is time to kick back and relax. Start by making a microgreen syrup: peel one cucumber and juice it in a juicer or blender. Strain through a cheesecloth and measure the juice. Measure an equal amount of sugar and whisk to combine with the juice. Pour into a blender and add ½ cup of GoodLeaf Micro Arugula (more Vitamin K!) and blend until fully mixed. Strain if desired. In a tall glass, pour two ounces of your favourite gin, vodka or white rum, a ½ ounce of the microgreen syrup and ¾ of an ounce of lime juice. Stir to combine, fill glass with ice and top with soda water. Please enjoy the Cucumber Microgreen Mojito responsibly.
GoodLeaf microgreens and baby greens are available in most leading retailers in Ontario, sold in more than 600 locations including Loblaws, Sobeys, Metro, Zehrs, Real Canadian Superstore, Foodland, Longos, Valu-Mart, Your Independent Grocer, Fortinos, Whole Foods, Voila and other independent grocers across the province, as well as a growing list of restaurants.
Source : Good Leaf farms