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.
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
20 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 in our Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group or learn more here about Art2Life.
Wow your smoothie and mine are almost identical. The differences are…I’ve recently changed from almond milk to Icelandic style yogurt because it has so much protein. I use about 1/4 of a cup of it. I also add almond butter for an additional boost of protein. And instead of orange juice I use Pom. And finally I probably should but don’t add any greens. This think lasts me from 6 a.m. through to at least 1:00 p.m. The chia seeds do the trick since they expand in your tummy and make you fill full for a very long time.
Yes Yes love meal type smoothies. Here are some of my ingredients that could be added to yours and vice versa. Berries, two lemons (juiced), bananas, spinach/kale, Hemp hearts, Almond butter, dates, Ginger, Green powder, Protein Powder, Almond milk, Plain yogurt. Blend. Power food, easy to drink and body loves it. good to go for a long painting session.
Ooh i will try some almond butter in mine
Love smoothies! I often add some fresh lemon and ginger and cucumber. Sometimes a little MCT oil. The problem with flax seed oil is that it oxidises easily. : )
Always keep flax oil in the fridge!
Thanks for the recipe! I also drink a protein smoothie in the mornings before workout. Very similar (no seeds or pollen) recipe except I add a vegan protein powder, but first in blender I add 1/3 c of raw oats and blend to flour like texture. Very filling and satisfying.
Yes i have started on smoothies mid morning recently …wild blueberries , pineapple, mango, papaya, kiwi, clementines, carrots , mixed berries , ground flax seed, camu camu powder, banana , in a bowl with sultanas/raisins and pumpkin seeds …
Sometimes I drink a smoothie for brekky but most of the time it’s eggs and toast. I have to eat breakfast though and usually a mid-morning snack to keep my energy up. Thanks for sharing this recipe. It sounds delicious. Although, I urge you to ditch the straw. They are a huge problem for our oceans. : )
Now your speaking my language! I make a smoothie in the morning sometimes. I also make a healthy bento lunch (kale, smoked trout, avocado etc) and drink kombucha. A break to have lunch in the Japanese way is calming and energizing. I often prep dinner in the morning as well… so after a full day … a healthy dinner is easy to accomplish! It’s a creative part of my day! There’s the difference whether you live to eat… or eat to live! Also inspired recently by a new book: Salad for President. Recipes inspired by artists! It’s great! Also been boosting my immune system with tea of fresh tumeric, ginger, shiitake mushrooms! Stay healthy!!
I have gotten back to my AM walk ” before coffee” to help reset my energy. Maybe I need to change it up and do it before my smoothie instead. Thank you for sharing your power recipe.
I love smoothies! I have frozen beets, kale, and blueberries in mine along with chia seeds, some vegan (usually berry flavored) protein powder, almond milk, water… as well as a dash of turmeric and cinnamon… works for me!
I love Smoothie Girl!! I am also a Macrobiotic Way fan.
This is so timely. I recently have started making smoothies for myself and my children who are college commuters. Only difference is I use coconut milk because I heard there is not much almond milk in the almond milk that is sold commercially. Not sure if I can find flax seed oil in our supermarkets, but will try. Very healthy ingredients.!! And my 109 pound dog likes to take me for a walk several times a day.
Flax seed oil is found in natural food stores. Barlean’s is top quality.
Looks great except watch out for flax seed and oil. It’s is a potent phytoestrogen and as a cancer survivor I have discovered it can contribute to breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Cancer clinic told me not to consume it at all.
Flax seed oil PREVENTS breast cancer. It’s preferable for women.
Bee pollen?? I thought flowers make pollen – bees make honey out of the pollen?
Sounds good! I also add nutritional yeast to my smoothies for more vitamins, enzymes and protein. Plant based, no gluten.
Very interesting, it sounds delicious. A must try! Thank you very much and…your painting is beautiful.
How cute, a discussion on nutrition for artists! I have never come across that before in all my art meanderings. And yet it is so important. Thank you for your classes, energy, enthusiasm, and this community. As a new person to Art2life, I am looking forward to exploring further