Sometimes I have thought about what to open that night before 8am...

Friday, June 10, 2011

If There Was One Thing You Could Change, That Would In Turn Change Everything, Would You?

Two months ago I decided to try something new in the morning. On one of the blogs I follow, Oh She Glows, Angela talks a lot about the Green Monster. In fact, there is a whole movement associated with it. Angela said it would improve your hair, your skin, your energy level. To put it mildly, I was skeptical.

So why did I try it? Honestly, I was desperate. I am 38 years old, and I still have break outs all the time. Since we have moved cross country, I have had major hair issues. It is thinner than it has ever been (and my hair is baby fine), and I have had a massive amount of breakage. Consequentially I have a much shorter haircut than I like. And then there are those 10 pounds. 1 year and 10 pounds. That is a big difference on a 5'2 frame. Oh and a good majority of those pounds landed around my middle, which is not an area I have ever had trouble with before now. Basically ...

I was a hot mess.

So here I am two months later, and what are the results? My skin is clear. I swear it's true. I don't remember the last time I had a zit, or a blackhead for that matter. The hair is growing. I haven't noticed any dramatic thickening, but I definitely have less breakage. I think the hair will be a more measurable difference over time. As for the weight, there has been no difference, but I haven't changed my eating or exercise habits either. Until this week that is. This week I am trying to get my act together... again. What I have noticed is a thinning through the waist. Maybe that is due to the cutting down on refined sugar. Prior to the Green Monster I had two hot teas a day and about 1.5 teaspoons of sugar in each one. Since I have started the Green Monster, I have dramatically cut down on my tea consumption. I never have a tea to get going in the morning, and I only occasionally have one at any other point in the day. Usually if it is raining...

What is shocking is the unexpected changes. Let me start with an apology to all the men reading right now, but it has to be noted. My period has shortened in duration, my flow is lighter, and I have almost no clotting.This is a big difference from the girl that had to have a DNC because of fibroid cysts. The girl who couldn't leave the house on Day 2 each month. Additionally, my energy has doubled. A shake in the morning and I am awake and energized for the day. I have been able to substitute it for my morning tea, and my breakfast. One shake and I am good until lunch. Plus it is two servings of fruit and veggies prior to 9am. When does that ever happen?!

So here is the question again. If there was one thing you could change, that would in turn change everything else, would you do it?

The Green Monster - As created by Angela Liddon at Oh She Glows
1 tbsp Flax Meal
2 cups baby spinach
1 whole banana
8oz milk (I use skim, but you could use Almond, Soy, Lowfat)
5 or 6 ice cubes

In your blender layer, flax meal, spinach, and banana. Pour milk over top. Blend until smooth. Add ice cubes and blend again. Enjoy!

Note:

Tim has made this switch as well, and he has had the same skin and energy benefits that I have. The hair and the period, not so much..

11 comments:

  1. Love your hair cut, you needed to gain 10 pounds and I am 40 and still break out. You did not mention how this tastes, it sounds really gross! I want to try it for my period, which is horrible and if I can lose a few zits along the way that is a bonus. What does it taste like? Are you choking it down?? Julie

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can't believe I forgot to talk about how it tastes! That's the best part. All you taste is the banana. With 100% honesty I can say it tastes like a banana milkshake. You don't taste the spinach at all, the flax meal gives it a bit of texture, but I don't mind it. If you can find the Red Mill brand Flax Meal that is the one we like best. I was nervous the first time I made it, and for absolutely no reason. I enjoy my morning smoothie!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Okay. I will give it a try!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this post! I just started reading about these and was truly skeptical. I mean, I love spinach and I love bananas, and I've been using flax meal occasionally for a little while now for it's cholesterol-lowering properties, but all together?? Sounds crazy, but based on your results, I'm going to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. @Julie - keep me posted as to what you think!
    @Angela - I can't believe you visited my blog! Thanks for the post!
    @Anon - just like Julie, check back with what you think! I hope you get the amazing results I have! Oh, and one last tip... make sure your bananas are ripe. My banana this morning was still a little green, and my smoothie didn't have it's normal banana-y goodness. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ah, this is great! Your last sentence is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I tried the Green Monster this morning. The color made me leery, but it was truly delicious. Now I'll have to go to Costco to buy spinach in bulk, since I plan to have these every day.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks Lisa!I work hard on the blog. It is nice to know when I do well!

    @anon- GREAT news! So glad you liked it. Check back with your results in a month!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The last sentence- you slay me. <3

    ~Poppet

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love you Poppet. To the moon and back.

    ReplyDelete