I can’t say that I felt much like a warrior during my first trimester. I did look and feel a little green though! I was cruising along feeling fine until week 6 came along and then I discovered that pregnancy hormones are no joke. All day nausea and extreme fatigue hit me like a ton of bricks. The fatigue was like nothing I’d felt before; it’s almost like feeling tired deep in my bones. I considered it a successful day if I could peel myself off the couch and do something productive. As someone who likes to be in motion at all times, this was a big adjustment. I said to Eric, “I’ll never complain about PMS again!!” hah. It was difficult trying to crank out blog posts because I wasn’t the least bit excited about food. Even drinking water was a struggle for my nauseous tummy. I despised water with a passion. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it. Bedtime was 8:30pm most nights (that’s if I could make it that long without falling asleep on the couch) – Sketchie has been loving all this extra cuddle time though! Some mornings I would wake up after 11 hours of sleep which I still can’t wrap my mind around. The human body just amazes me how it conserves energy when it needs to. It’s been a great lesson in trusting that my body knows best.
Anytime I need a boost, I just think of the end result and I’m filled with a burst of excitement. I feel like I’m walking around with this little friend inside of me, who goes wherever I go and lets me know when to slow down and rest. Now that I’m in the second trimester I’m starting to get back a bit of energy although the nausea is still pretty strong some days. Last week, I stayed up until 10pm a few nights – a darn miracle if you ask me! Bring on the honeymoon trimester!
Spending a lot of energy cooking hasn’t been my forte many days. That’s why smoothies continue to be such an important daily aspect of my diet. In 10 minutes, I can have a smoothie in hand that would just about rival the most nutritious meal around. I’ve been drinking this smoothie as a way to pack in a ton of nutrition with minimal effort. This smoothie was actually a contender for my cookbook, but I didn’t finalize the recipe in time. However, the photo of this smoothie did make it into the book (see page 54). A couple of you noticed the picture and asked me for the recipe, so I’m sharing it today!
Drinking this makes me feel like a bit like a warrior (even if this warrior is asleep on the couch before her favourite show comes on TV). I even started doing a 30 minute prenatal workout which is another big victory of late. It’s the small things. It really is.
Kale – Rich in folate, vitamin C and K, calcium, iron, and beta-carotene. It’s also a hormone balancer, digestion booster, anti-inflammatory, and contains omega-3 fatty acids.
Grapefruit – Rich in vitamin C and is a great detoxifier for the liver.
Cucumber – Prevents water retention, promotes a healthy digestive track, packed with bioavailable minerals, vitamins, and electrolytes.
Celery – Rich in fibre and B vitamins, prevents water retention
Apple – Source of fibre and vitamin C, helps balance blood sugar levels, boosts digestion, reduces inflammation
Algae oil (DHA rich) – A sustainable, plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids. My go-to brand is NutraVege. Making up 97% of the fatty acids found in the brain, DHA is a very important long-chain fatty acid in the omega-3 family. It’s super important for pregnant women and children under the age of 2 as it supports brain, vision, and nerve development. Note: I don’t add this oil directly into the smoothie. I simply take it seperately so it doesn’t impact the flavour.
Virgin Coconut Oil – Coconut oil has antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. It’s rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which help boost the metabolism and lower the risk of heart disease.
Hulled hemp seeds – A great source of complete protein, contains the ideal balance of omega 3-6-9 fatty acids, and is high in fibre. Hemp seeds also reduce inflammation in the body and balance hormones.
Mango – Rich in vitamin C, fibre, and beta-carotene. It also contains enzymes that help with the breakdown of protein in the body (great for the above protein-rich hemp seeds!).
Sources: Healing Foods: Eat your way to a healthier life, Flora Health
Green Warrior Protein Smoothie
Yield
3 cups (750 mL)
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Talk about a super charged meal in a glass! I use hemp hearts as the major protein source for this drink. In addition to being a complete protein source, hemp hearts also contain the ideal balance of omega 3-6-9 fatty acids and are high in fibre. They work wonderfully to make this smoothie super creamy, all without needing any banana. This smoothie also highlights one of my biggest cravings - the juicy red grapefruit - which is balanced with a sweet apple and buttery mango. If you prefer a sweeter smoothie, feel free to swap the grapefruit juice for coconut water or orange juice, or add a touch of liquid sweetener.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh red grapefruit juice*
- 1 cup (25 g) destemmed dinosaur/lacinato kale or baby spinach**
- 1 large sweet apple (200 g), cored and roughly chopped
- 1 cup (130 g) chopped cucumber
- 1 medium/large celery stalk (85 g), chopped (about 3/4 cup)
- 3 tablespoons (30 g) hemp hearts, or to taste
- 1/3 cup (55 g) frozen mango
- 2 tablespoons (4 g) packed fresh mint leaves
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5 mL) virgin coconut oil (optional)
- 4 ice cubes, or as needed
Directions
- Juice a red grapefruit and add 1/2 cup grapefruit juice to the blender.
- Now add the kale (or spinach), apple, cucumber, celery, hemp, mango, mint, coconut oil (if using), and ice. Blend on high until super smooth. (If using a Vitamix, use the tamper stick to push it down until it blends). You can add a bit of water if necessary to get it blending.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately! This makes enough for a large glass with some leftover so you can also divide it into two servings and save one for later.
Tip:
- * Feel free to sub the grapefruit juice with orange juice or coconut water if a sweeter smoothie is desired.
- ** I use dinosaur/lacinato kale because it has a milder flavour than regular curly kale. Feel free to use baby spinach too.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
The Oh She Glows Cookbook hits Costco US!
Today is a very special day – The OSG Cookbook hits shelves across Costco in the US! We are thrilled to have another major retailer pick up this cookbook. Don’t forget, it’s already in many Costco locations in Canada too. We’d love it if you could snap pictures of the book in Costco stores and share them on twitter using the hashtag #osgcookbook!
We’re packing up to move this week (ahh!) and my kitchen is all in boxes. *sniff, sniff. If you don’t hear from me again this week that’s why. Wish us luck!
Hats off for drinking green monsters during your pregnancy! So good for you and Baby. I was in love with your classic recipe…until I got pregnant. Then the thought and smell of it turned my tummy…go figure! Now my little one is 4 months and the Tropical Beauty recipe from your book has gotten me back onto the green smoothie train. I’m addicted!
Congratulations on the baby, and keep posting those bump pictures! Also, if you have time, try to keep a journal. You’ll love going back and re-living the experience (even the bad parts!) after Baby arrives. :-)
Wow! I definitely NEED to try this wonderful smoothie but I’ll use other veggie instead of kale becaus I can’t find it here in Spain :( Thanks for the recipe!!!!
Great smoothie, thoughtful use of ingredients.
Smoothies and kale salads are my go-to’s when I need a quick meal/refueling. These look so nice creamy, I want one now. Loving these photos!
I’m not a fan of smoothies as I prefer to eat my meals rather than drink them. Just a personal preference. But I loved the ingredients in this so I turned it into a salad. I cut the pink grapefruit and apple into chunks. Then added kale, chopped mint leaves, celery and cucumber slices and let it all sit overnight. This morning I sprinkled the salad with hemp hearts and shredded coconut and had it for breakfast. It was delicious! The grapefruit and mint were fantastic together. I never would have thought of this combination on my own.
Oh goodness, I’ve heard the stories. That’s how my friend knew she was pregnant, just by being incredibly, unbelievably tired! I hope this smoothie helped and hang in there!! :)
Congrats!!!! As a vegetarian/pescatarian (often vegan) looking forward to pregnancy in the near future, I’d be very interested to hear about your experiences! Thanks in advance ;)
Also, my Canadian husband bought me the Canadian version of your cookbook. Love, love, love!
Congratulations on your pregnancy Angela! I love your blog and your cookbook is amazing! I have a question for you and/or your readers: what is the best gf pizza crust recipe you have made? I am trying to cut back on gluten because it doesn’t make me feel good. I searched for recipes on your site and got hundreds of results, which left me a bit overwhelmed as to where to start. I love oats so a recipe that contains those would be so awesome. I tried a cauliflower pizza crust this past weekend and while it was ok, I just wasn’t that crazy about it as a pizza crust. Thanks so much for your help! :)
Oh my…this looks SO yummy! Best wishes on your upcoming move!
Don’t think I could drink that colour of green lol
L x
workingmumy.blogspot.com
Yum! Looks like the perfect morning pick-me-up. I’ll have to add this to my smoothie repertoire. :)
Hi Angela, I would like to know what kind of calcium/magnesium you are taking?
Your book is very nice.
thank you,
Carole
Yes, you are growing a human being from scratch! Rest, rest, rest :)
You’re a smoothie magician. This is such a great way to pack in a ton of nutrients.
This smoothie looks amazing!!
This smoothie looks delish. Glad you’ve created something that is taking such good care of you, as your body creates a new little person.
You’re mistaken about the roll-out date for Oh She Glows in US Costco stores… I found it in mine on SATURDAY, and bought one then! It’s gorgeous, and I can’t wait to start trying out some recipes!
Best of luck with your move.
Glad you found it Colleen! I hope you enjoy many recipes to come!
PS- Some stores started carrying it a bit early, but Monday was the “official” date. :)
this smoothie looks perfect – and I have most of the ingredients on hand! I didn’t know you were pregnant – congrats! I am too – 26 weeks :-) I have been loving green smoothies during pregnancy so will make this soon.
btw I LOVE your cookbook!
This smoothie looks great! I’ve never added mint or coconut oil to my smoothies before so I can’t wait to try this!
This looks fantastic! I wanted to share a smoothie revelation I recently stumbled across: coconut milk ice cubes. I froze extra coconut milk after making your hot fudge earlier this week in an ice cube tray and have been adding 1-2 to my morning smoothie since. Tropical and nutritious!
Hi there! Boy, have a little surgery and some down time for recovery and you miss ALL the good stuff…CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy (and making it through the first trimester
Oh, my! Congrats on your pregnancy!! It has been a while since I have browsed your blog but I am a long time fan of your writing and cooking, so I’m obviously thrilled to hear that you have a little one on the way. I was also vegan throughout my entire pregnancy with our daughter (she’s 18 months old now). Would have loved posts like this one at the time–what a resource. Keep writing because there are plenty of women who are looking for this kind of nutritional breakdown and support during a vegan pregnancy. Best to you and yours!
Wren
Congratulations on your pregnancy! you really are GLOWING – so many amazing things in your life :) I recently got your book and just love it! This recipe looks delicious, green smoothies are my fave!
Congratulations on the pregnancy, now you will have even more glow!!!
I cannot wait to try this smoothie! I love your blender, too. I need to get one like that. I just started a plant-based diet, which is recommended by author Lynne Goldberg in her excellent book, Get Balanced, Get Blissed: Nourishment for Body, Mind, and Soul. Not only did she help me understand the benefits of a plant-based diet, but also included tips on mediation techniques and how to improve your overall health and well-being. I highly recommend reading her book – liveblissnow.com/
I’m with you, Robyn :-). Such a great recipe! Thanks for sharing Lynne’s book. I’m going to check that one out.
Yum! I love how thick and creamy it looks.
I’ve really gotten away from smoothies over the winter, but now that it’s warming up, I think my green smoothie is going to have to make a daily comeback… :)
(hemp hearts are the. best.).
Hi Angela, I am loving your cookbook-it is awesome! You did an amazing and inspirational job. Your first recipes that I made was the “Out-The-Door Chia Power Donuts” they came out great and your “Nutty Herb Croutons” they are so cleaver and delicious. Congrats to you on your pregnancy and your new home too! How is Sketchie? Is he in a treatment and responding, will he be ok?
Karen
I’m a new vegan. Well, actually- my husband, kids and I are all new Vegans. Two months and counting. I love your recipes. I do have a request though; I would love for you to make a weeks worth of sample menu’s (very easy ones) to reference on those nights when “what’s for dinner??” “I forgot to soak the beans!” “OH NO!” happens! Maybe even one with shopping list or check list. Thank you!
I’ve seen the cookbook at Longos and Target as well, in the Burlington and Oakville area! Woohoo!
Your pictures look amazing! I love smoothies and I am really inspired that you are still able to drink them – I keep reading about women having an aversion to green foods early on in pregnancy :) That scares me because I LOVE green veggies, so when the time comes for me I hope I can manage too! I’m excited to follow along on your healthy pregnancy foodie adventures, especially since you are vegan (like me!).
Good luck with the move!
Mmmm.. how nourishing looks this smoothie!! Couldn´t believe that has 17gr of proteins…is amazing!! definitely have to try tomorrow for breakfast!! :)
In our blog we have a sweet but very healthy and simple recipe!! Check it out…you´ll love it!!
cueroandmorinspiration.com/chocolate-and-coconut-bites/
hi angela. thanks for much for this. i made one and it is to die for! i love the tartness the grapefruit adds. i was wondering, i use hemp protein powder… are the hemp hearts a better choice?
Will there be a Baby Glow sequel to your book? :)
Great idea!! Maybe have a recipes per trimester book :)
Just wanted to say congratulations!!! I am due in June and have been loving your recipes throughout my pregnancy. I’m with you on the smoothies, all too often I just can’t find any motivation to make a full meal. Can’t wait to try this one, looks incredible!!
It is very interesting that you are craving grapefruit right now. When I was pregnant I had horrible all day sickness. The only thing that would stop it was sour foods and drinks. I craved sour all the time. Then I saw sour /ginger candies at a mommy store for morning sickness and I thought genius.
I mean already those pics make me wanna try the recipe instantly!
You’re doing such an amazing job!
Love from Germany,
Elisa
This smoothie really is super charged meal! Thanks for sharing and wish you good luck with moving.
A WINNER! My toddler agrees 100%
So yummy! Love that I’m nourishing my body with each sip!!
I love green smoothies! I subbed spinach for the kale, added a fresh orange, and ended up ditching the celery the second time I made it. My taste buds had a difficult time with the grapefruit + celery taste (it was strangely bitter) so I tried it without the celery and it helped balance the flavors a bit more.
How long do you think a smoothie like this would last in the fridge? I thought about making batches ahead of time so I can grab one on the go. 3-4 days?
Oh I am so excited to hear you are pregnant! I have been looking at your blog for years and have been having babies all along. I have 3 now. And actually couldn’t wait to see what you would eat while you were prego. I tried so hard to eat healthy as I do when I am not pregnant but for some reason I just craved bad food. I am almost back on track. Thank you so much for all the yummy food you post about. I get inspired everyday!!
Congrats!!!!
This sounds so good! I don’t have any grapefruit juice, however I have a grapefruit which I am going to add to this smoothie in the morning. I love your recipes. Thank you!
Absolutely love your blog, would love for y’all to check out my Fit & Well blog!
healthyandhappywellness.blogspot.com
I’ve made this smoothie the past few days and I love it! It’s such a great way to start the day and keeps me full and energized for hours. Thanks!
I just bought your book and OH MY GOODNESS I love it so much. You are such an inspiration. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and listen to your body!
I went to Costco yesterday and I saw your book, I was over the moon excited!!! There were only 7 copies left. Your book is absolutely beautiful! And your dedication to Eric in the front was so sweet, it made me teary eyed. I am so happy for you! Happy packing for you guys, and congrats on the baby!
Oh yes. I remember the first trimester exhaustion well. Both times. It gets better. I wish I could sleep like that now!
Hi Sarah!
I love your recipes, I saved up Cauliflower Pasta al fredo for my birthday and your Chocolate chilli beans are a staple.
I followed this smoothie recipe from HeyFranHey and as I work out a lot, and counting my protein intake carefully, I’m really into this recipe. I live in Australia and although I can buy hemp protein powder, it is still forbidden to purchase any hemp consumables, other than for ‘cosmetic use’! Unbelievable I know, but true – the only country in the world :( Makes it hard to find answers about what I’m getting out of the hemp flour vs. the hearts vs. the refined protein powder etc.
I have started (unlawfully) making hemp milk for my protein shakes, using a hemp flour from whole hemp seeds, but it is difficult to judge how much protein I am getting from them as there is no nutritional guide provided. I wondered – how did you measure the protein in this smoothie recipe? which percentage you might have derived from your 4 Tbsp of hemp hearts and what percentage from the whole fruits and vegetables?
Sorry for this long-winded question – I have been researching endlessly but feel unresolved :) Much appreciated!
Hi Jessica,
I am having the same problem in NZ. Animal grade hemp products, are they safe for us?? And i have found the oil but does this have the same nutritional content and like you said – how much to use. Just wondering, have you had any luck with your research?
Thanks
Selma
Sorry Angela! I have no idea where Sarah came from and didn’t realise until I posted it :(
Just pinned this – it looks so fantastic! And congrats on your pregnancy! I’m 23 weeks and my energy is much, much higher in the second trimester.
Laura, I’m feeling that too – 16 weeks today and I feel like I have at least 50% more energy now. yay! Congrats on your pregnancy :)
Which juicer do you use? It looks super convenient!