For weeks, I'd been eying these spiky succulent leaves at Berkeley Bowl. I always knew that aloe vera came from this common plant, but never thought I would actually need or want the opportunity to work with it myself. And then there's the whole issue of cooking with it and how to harvest it. It's popular in coconut water these days, but other than that, ingesting it is somewhat uncommon. But Read more

FitSugar reader behealthful posted this refreshing smoothie recipe in our Healthy Recipe group. It's made with spinach and hemp hearts! Thick, sweet, and delicious mint chocolate chip smoothie with no extracts or artificial flavors. Made with steeped peppermint tea! See the full smoothie recipe at healthypursuit.com, then share your own delicious recipes in our Healthy Recipe group. We may Read more

I've made smoothies with spinach, kale, and even celery, but this is the first time I've tried using broccoli as the green veggie. Packed with fiber and calcium, this is a sweet and fruity way to get more of this healthy food into your day (without your taste buds knowing). I used raw broccoli, but for a smoother consistency, I recommend steaming it slightly first. Continue reading to find out Read more

Gone are the days of taking a few basic ingredients and throwing them into a blender. Bananas, strawberries, and yogurt? So last year. Now that you've discovered the wonderful world of kale, chia seeds, and spinach, it's time to expand your smoothie-making skills even more. The following five food items are guaranteed to increase the nutrient (and flavor) quotient of your smoothies. Avocado: Read more

Holiday indulgences got you down? FitSugar reader JuicyNoelle has a detox smoothie for you. She posted the recipe in our Healthy Recipe group. Are you looking for ways to embrace a little holiday detox? If so, don't forget to incorporate a piece of ginger. Ginger is believed to fire up your body’s natural detoxification work. It also helps your body better absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste Read more

Cacao nibs and fresh mint leaves are blended together with nondairy vanilla ice cream to create a healthy twist to a classic favorite. This shake doesn't contain dairy and sugar (if you pick sugar-free ice cream like coconut-milk-based So Delicious), yet it's creamy and subtly sweet with a little bit of crunch from the raw cacao nibs. This shake makes a delicious dessert, or you can blend in a Read more

Fresh green juice might be the "next frozen yogurt" in terms of a trendy, healthy snack. What could possibly be better for you than a glass of homemade, fresh-pressed vegetables and fruits? This is a super easy, delicious, and addictive green juice recipe that you can happily indulge in to rake up your daily values. Apples are high in vitamin C and naturally sweeten the beverage. Read more

Powder-based smoothies are so convenient: add water, shake, and you're done. The problem is that these types of smoothies leave a lot to be desired in terms of taste — they're often chalky, tasteless, or, at worst, off-putting to the palate. To make these nutrient-rich smoothie powders more appetizing, try adding one — or a few! — of these mix-ins to your next smoothie. Fruit: Fresh or Read more