It takes a tremendous amount of energy to make art. I do my best work in the morning. I start early. What really helps me maintain my energy during this time is what I eat for breakfast. I am not an expert on diet but I can say from my experience that having a smoothie for breakfast totally sets my day up. This is not just a drink – it’s a meal. It is loaded with super foods, fresh greens, vitamins and minerals. If you sometimes feel like you are running low on energy in the studio you might consider starting your day with a green smoothie. I literally couldn’t pull off my busy life without them.
Here are the 3 reasons why:
It’s fast
I have everything I need all prepped in my freezer and refrigerator. I literally can make and clean up a 24 oz. smoothie in about 5 minutes.
It’s Sustaining
I drink a 24 oz. smoothie and I am good to go till lunchtime. This particular smoothie I make is the most, by far, nutritious meal I eat in my day. I don’t need to drink coffee or tea in the morning (or the afternoon) anymore. I feel super clear but most importantly very energetic while I am making art.
[Tweet “I love to go wherever I want while I am having breakfast. – Nicholas Wilton”]
It’s Portable
I pour the smoothie into a 24 oz. container with a lid that has a tiny hole for a straw. I drink my breakfast as I go about my morning whether it is reading, walking my dog Maizy or even driving to the studio. I love to go wherever I want while I am having breakfast.
I am interested and continuing to learn about nutrition and diet as I see what a difference it is making in my life and art, so I spend time perusing different sites on the internet for information and recipes.
One of the best resources for general info on smoothies, blenders, and over-all nutrition I have found online is Robyn Openshaw’s site www.greensmoothiegirl.com. Her knowledge is exhaustive and from all my research I feel she has one of the best lines on total health. She also sells and reviews blenders, food related products and has great tips and tricks on maintaining optimal health, easier.
Here is my basic smoothie recipe.
The Art2Life Smoothie Recipe:
3-4 frozen strawberries
3-4 frozen 1″ pieces of banana
1/3 C frozen blueberries
1 C fresh organic spinach
1 C almond milk unsweetened
1 C water
3 tbs frozen orange juice concentrate.
1 tbs goji berries
1 tbs ground flax seed (raw)
2 tsp. bee pollen
1 tbs Organic cold pressed flax seed oil
1 tbs chia seed
1/2 tsp. coconut flakes unsweetened
Makes approx. 24 oz. (3 cups)
Does what you eat matter? How do you sustain your energy for your Art and Life?
In gratitude, Nicholas
10 Comments
Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
Join me and artists from all over the world on our Art2Life Instagram account or learn more here about Art2Life.
Thank you for the recipe! I like smoothie too but not for breakfast, they are too “cold” for me. I need mostly warm cooked dishes due to my limited ability to produce inner heat (literally everyone I’ve touched commented on how cold my fingers are).
And yes, what I eat affects my energy and art overall. My water kefir and kombuscha have helped me a lot lately I love them ? ?
Thank you for the recipe! I like smoothie too but not for breakfast, they are too “cold” for me. I need mostly warm cooked dishes due to my limited ability to produce inner heat (literally everyone I’ve touched commented on how cold my fingers are).
And yes, what I eat affects my energy and art overall. My water kefir and kombuscha have helped me a lot lately I love them ? ?
I’m excited to try this! I’ve been making smoothies, on and off, for years and your recipe sounds loaded with great stuff….thanks. Going to make this now:))
I’m excited to try this! I’ve been making smoothies, on and off, for years and your recipe sounds loaded with great stuff….thanks. Going to make this now:))
I recently switched to a more paleo diet, especially for breakfast. For many years I have eaten grains and eggs for breakfast. Now I leave out the grains and sometimes have bacon or sausage (grass-fed and organic) and greens with the eggs. It has made an immediate difference with my energy and concentration. I think we all have different needs in diet depending on our ancestory etc. Your smoothie sounds delicious but like Pulstatilla, it would be too ‘cold’ for me. And I get hungry quickly without protein.
I recently switched to a more paleo diet, especially for breakfast. For many years I have eaten grains and eggs for breakfast. Now I leave out the grains and sometimes have bacon or sausage (grass-fed and organic) and greens with the eggs. It has made an immediate difference with my energy and concentration. I think we all have different needs in diet depending on our ancestory etc. Your smoothie sounds delicious but like Pulstatilla, it would be too ‘cold’ for me. And I get hungry quickly without protein.
Do you have a calorie count per 6 oz? Sounds amazing!
Do you have a calorie count per 6 oz? Sounds amazing!
I do an afternoon smoothie in the studio. Soak one tblsp. chia see in a cup of water. Blend with one tblsp. hemp seed, one tblsp. omega 3 oil, sm scoop protein powder, and a handful of kale or chard from the garden and a cup of frozen blue berries. Seems to get me through until dinner!
I do an afternoon smoothie in the studio. Soak one tblsp. chia see in a cup of water. Blend with one tblsp. hemp seed, one tblsp. omega 3 oil, sm scoop protein powder, and a handful of kale or chard from the garden.