Introducing Your New Blog Editor: Rawchelle! (And Her Morning Green Smoothie)
Written by admin on June 1, 2011 – -- by Rachelle Fordyce
From Stacey: Welcome to June all ye juice sippers and green smoothie slurpers! It’s a new month and new and exciting things are happening in the land of GSQ. I’m excited about dedicating more time to developing new GSQ programs, so I’ll be passing my editor cap onto fellow Winnipeger and green smoothie fan, Rachelle Fordyce.
Perhaps the two of us working together will be able to enact my wild green plan of turning Winnipeg from the Slurpee capitol of the world into the green smoothie domination destination! 
Without further ado, please make welcome with your comments and arugulicious appreciation, the lovely Rachelle!
GSQ has a new Blog Editor!
Greetings my fellow green smoothie gals (and guys)!
My name’s Rachelle Fordyce (aka Rawchelle), and I’m delighted to be taking on the role as Editor for the Green Smoothie Queen Blog. And as for my own personal relationship with green smoothies, I gotta say, I love ‘em! I love all raw and vegan food! I happen to think raw and vegan food is pretty sexy.
My Raw and Vegan Journey
I first started incorporating green smoothies into my diet during my first 30-day all-raw trial challenge in January of 2009. That 30-day raw trial was transformational, to say the least! A whole new world of healthy raw goodness opened itself to me… or rather, I opened myself to this wonderful way of eating, as there it was all along — I was simply the one who had to welcome this new lifestyle into my home and heart. And welcome it I did!
I am fully vegan and have been since 2001, although I don’t presently follow a fully raw diet. I do, however, incorporate a high percentage of fresh, raw fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and oils my into my diet. …And cacao. Can’t live without that! AND green smoothies, of course! I couldn’t live without those, either!
As of the date of this posting, I’m currently undertaking another 30-day raw challenge. Yesterday was the 10th day, and thus today marks my 11th consecutive day of following a fully raw diet. You can be certain I’ve had at least one green smoothie for each day of my challenge!
I’m pretty excited to be on this new journey with you and the rest of the Green Smoothie Queen team. It’s an opportunity to share with you, grow with you, and learn with you about health, vibrance, raw smoothies, and all things fresh and green.
Rawchelle’s Standard Morning Smoothie
To embark on this new adventure, I’ll share with you a recipe for my standard Morning Smoothie. I have one of these nearly every morning (as shown in the picture of me above)! 
Ingredients:
- A giant handful of greens — I usually use organic spinach
- 1 or 2 bananas — depends how hungry you are and how thick you want your smoothie
- 1 orange
- 4 or 5 strawberries
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Enough water to blend / for desired thickness
Just blend it all up, et voila! You’ve got yourself a typical Rawchelle morning smoothie! And you can’t even tell it has greens in it! The blueberry gives it a lovely purplish colour. I hope you enjoy it.
* * *
Remember, if you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask! Just leave a comment below and I’ll be certain to reply.
Here’s looking forward to this new month, new fresh experience, and raw adventure.
Note from Stacey: The beautiful salad that you see above is one of Rachelle’s delicious creations. If you would like the recipe, please share a comment to welcome her and beg, plead, and make parsley eyes at her!
Related posts:
- Introducing Our New Blog Editor! - by Althea Hughes Wills Greetings Raw Moms: My name is Althea Hughes Wills, and I’m...
- Sit Back and Relax with this Fresh as the Morning Sun Green Smoothie (Parsley, Sprouts, Apples, Blueberries) Finding yourself gobbling up spring rolls and goodies? Here's a craving busting green smoothie recipe...
- Introducing Green Smoothie Reporter, Tami Groth Meet Green Smoothie Reporter, Tami Groth, and find out how she discovered green smoothies....
Tags: Green Smoothie Recipes, Rachelle Fordyce, salad recipe, vegan, Winnipeg
Posted in Green Smoothies | 26 Comments »
By Forest Fairy on Jun 1, 2011
I have really terrible skin,I have breakouts and broken blood vessels and red dots,ahh.
Is there anything in particular that would help or would a raw diet give me lovely skin???
I hate wearing makeup to cover my skin but it’s too embarasssing to go without.
I need help and also how do I begin a raw diet and stay on it without cheating?
Thank you for your time.
Forest Fairy
[Reply]
Reply by Rachelle Fordyce on June 2nd, 2011
Hi Forest Fairy!
Personally I’ve never had skin issues, but it is known that a raw diet tends to clear up the skin, resulting in what is often referred to as “the raw glow” — meaning glowing healthy skin!
For example, Russell James (aka The Raw Chef) has said that he had terribly acne prior to embracing the raw diet. He said the only thing that was able to clear his acne once and for all was by following a raw vegan diet!
As for not “cheating” while raw… well, I guess it all depends on the individual. Aside from will power, making sure you have really tasty raw food on hand to satisfy cravings would probably do the trick.
Of course, having a great and positive mindset is extremely important too!
[Reply]
By Forest Fairy on Jun 1, 2011
by the way your smoothie recipe looks very delicious,I can’t wait to try it.
[Reply]
Reply by Rachelle Fordyce on June 2nd, 2011
Thanks! I hope you like it!
I tried adding a little coconut water to the recipe. It gives it a really nice undertone and compliments the orange and banana quite well.
[Reply]
By Lorraine James on Jun 1, 2011
I love the foods you prepare, Rachelle. As a long-time friend, I’m so thrilled to see you here and I’m sure you’ll contribute great things here. so thrilled.
[Reply]
Reply by Rachelle Fordyce on June 2nd, 2011
Aww, thanks Lorraine! I’m thrilled too!
[Reply]
By Suni on Jun 1, 2011
Congrats, Rachelle! You might just be the inspiration I need to start a 30-day raw challenge this summer. I love green smoothies with Lacinato kale or any greens growing in my garden as long as it has at least some citrus (orwnge ir lime), some berries, and of course a sweet banana, to balance out the bitterness. Good luck with the rest of your challenge and look forward to reading your posts!
[Reply]
Reply by Rachelle Fordyce on June 2nd, 2011
Thanks Suni!
If you’re thinking of doing a 30-day raw challenge this summer, then you might want to consider signing up for the 21-day Green Smoothie SUPER Detox that starts July 1st! There’s an optional juice feasting after the first 21 days of the program, so if you wanted you could extend it to round it out to 30 days.
Additionally, there’s a 30-day Body Enlightenment Challenge that starts June 12th — you might wanna check that out, too! http://www.bodyenlightenment.me/
[Reply]
By Kevin Velasco on Jun 3, 2011
Thanks for sharing about Russell James and his acne story, Rachelle! I had never heard of him until I read your comment. I just did more research on him and dug up an interview where he talks more about how a raw foods diet cured his acne: http://www.rawkinradio.com/audio/rawkinradio65.mp3
I have bad skin as well. If a raw foods diet would clear up my skin I would definitely take on the challenge! Any idea how long it would take for “the raw glow” to kick in and clear up acne? In the interview he said he did “the cleanse” and he already experienced results, though he doesn’t specify how long he did “the cleanse” for.
Cheers!
[Reply]
Reply by Rachelle Fordyce on June 3rd, 2011
You’re welcome, Kevin!
To answer your question, I’m not quite sure how long it would take! I’ll see if I can get in touch with Russell. I think it would be great we were to have an article with him and the skin clarifying benefits of raw food.
[Reply]
By Carolyn Landry on Jun 3, 2011
Welcome Rachelle, I look forward to learning from you. I am not all raw or vegan yet, but I am leaning towards it. I do start most days with a green smoothie and always eat a great big raw salad for lunch and lots of fruits and veggies.
Carolyn
[Reply]
Reply by Rachelle Fordyce on June 3rd, 2011
What you’re doing so far sounds wonderful, Carolyn! Keep it up!
[Reply]
By Vanessa on Jun 3, 2011
This smoothie sounds delightful. I thought about what coconut water would taste like and you already answered that in the comments! What are your thoughts on adding something like spirulina, hemp seeds, bee pollen, etc?
Thanks!
[Reply]
Reply by Rachelle Fordyce on June 3rd, 2011
I’ll often add a couple Tablespoons of hemp seeds to it too, but not always. But it definitely works with it, and I love that hemp seeds are a great source of protein and essential fatty acids.
As for adding spirulina or bee pollen, I’m not sure how that would turn out since I’ve never included those in the recipe before. (Bee products are technically not vegan, so I personally tend to avoid them most of the time.)
If you want to experiment by adding those ingredients to your own version, let us know how it turns out!
[Reply]
By Nelda on Jun 3, 2011
Hi Rachelle, love the nickname too! Thank you for sharing your morning recipe. It’s amazing how quickly you get used to wanting a smoothie in the morning. Yours sounds delicious. It’ll be great to get to know you through GSQ. I’m new to it but welcome, welcome! Cheers!
[Reply]
Reply by Rachelle Fordyce on June 3rd, 2011
Thanks for the warm welcome, Nelda.
And welcome to you, too!
[Reply]
By Tasha on Jun 3, 2011
Wow!that salad looks so Yummmm! Now I gotta run out and buy an avocado to complete it;)
[Reply]
Reply by Rachelle Fordyce on June 4th, 2011
Tasha — Avocados are pretty awesome, aren’t they? I think they happen to be a pretty sexy fruit.
[Reply]
By Lynda Kay Deckard Ramos on Jun 3, 2011
Hi Rachelle,
WELCOME aboard!!! It is always nice to see a FRESH face here on the blod. I am a smoothie convert and have one for breakfast almost every day before I go to work. I find that they really help me stay satisfied all the morning and on into the early afternoon when I finally have a break from classes and time to eat my salad or veggies for lunch.
One thing I do to make my smoothies better for the tropical weather I live in is to freeze the fruit. Frozen banana along with blueberries and blackberries and a big handful of greens (either kale or spinach) give me a happy jump start for my day. I can also say that since I have changed over to the smoothies I see a big change in energy level and have also noticed that nowadays I can actually grow fingernails!! How cool is that??
Anyway, I will be looking forward to reading your blog and sharing this journey with you.
Take care. (Sorry Kermit, but it IS easy being green!!!)
Lynda
[Reply]
Reply by Rachelle Fordyce on June 4th, 2011
Hi Lynda! Thanks for the welcome!
I definitely know what you mean about a correlation between green smoothies and growing fingernails — I’ve experienced the same thing too!
I used to get white flecks in my nails from time to time. But not they’re fleck-free and clear, stronger, and grow pretty easily too.
Three cheers to being green!
<3
[Reply]
By Kersten on Jun 3, 2011
Still new to the whole Green Smoothie thing and would love to go more raw. never heard of the “Raw Glow” before, but I have to say I got so many compliments on my skin (and I don’t have perfect skin by any means) after completing the 10 day smoothie challenge and 5 day detox back to back!!!!! Definately worth a try to take it further
)
[Reply]
Reply by Rachelle Fordyce on June 4th, 2011
Kersten, I’d say it’s definitely worth it to take it further!
Something else I do that has great effects on the skin is practicing Bikram style hot yoga. You can sweat a LOT in class, and it always has the result of improving my skin.
Combining green smoothies and a raw diet with Bikram hot yoga = totally fabulous skin!
[Reply]
By Danielle on Jun 3, 2011
Hi Rachelle:
How about those suffering from candida who cannot have anything sweet even fruits? I have candida and is reluctant to include the fruits but without fruits the green smoothie would taste awful or can I add Stevia. Any thoughts?
Thanks.
[Reply]
Reply by Rachelle Fordyce on June 4th, 2011
Hi Danielle,
I’ve heard some mixed things about Candida and sweet fruits.
Some sources say avoid sweet fruits and sugary foods if you have Candida, while other sources actually recommend quite a different approach.
Dr. Doug Graham says that the a raw diet low in fat but high in fruits and greens can actually help to eliminate Candida!
It’s worth researching, and perhaps you might even consider taking on your own personal experiment to see what kind of results you yet.
[Reply]
By joya matza on Jun 3, 2011
Hi! Thank you for your inspiration – I really need it! I love green smoothies and make them often with using lot’s of greens and vegies and low sugar fruits. I find that adding hemp seeds or flax seed oil is a key ingredient in having it taste good. Especially if not using a bananna. What do you think about flax oil? And is the cinnamon for taste or for other reasons added? Can you take to much cinnamon? Thanks, warmly joya
[Reply]
Reply by Rachelle Fordyce on June 4th, 2011
Hi Joya,
I think flax oil is awesome! It’s a great source of omega 3′s and 6′s.
As for the cinnamon, I like it both for its taste and its health benefits. Some studies have indicated that cinnamon has a regulatory effect on blood sugar. I think this must be true, because if I make my smoothie without cinnamon, I notice that I get hungrier a lot sooner. If I have my smoothie with cinnamon, it seems to keep my hunger at bay for a lot longer!
[Reply]