Filed under: Smoothies | Tags: apple, banana, berries, celery, chard, kale, parsley
We have a new addition to our kitchen family. Some of you have probably heard of it, and the transformative powers it can have over your kitchen. All the rumors are definitely true. The Vita-mix will change your life!
I’m still not quite sure how it happened, that my husband was the one to buy it. But since its arrival, it gets at least daily use. Usually at least 2-3 times. I can’t tell you how quick the frozen bananas disappear around here these days. Even before the Vita-mix came around, my husband loved making smoothies with our blender. And recently we’ve been getting into the morning green smoothie routine. A regular blender works okay for these – but the Vita-mix turns smoothies into the consistency of silk.
For those of you who have never heard of green smoothies (and I was right there with you up until a few months ago), the basic premise is to blend up a bunch of green vegetables, sometimes with fruit added, and drink it all down. Before the skeptic in you says, “EW that is so gross, drinking vegetables?!!” just keep reading…
Leafy green vegetables really are the most essential part of a healthy diet, and blending them helps to break down their fibrous nature and make them easier to digest. If the thought of drinking spinach or kale makes you flinch, try this: blend 1-2 frozen bananas (or bananas and ice) with a bit of cocoa powder and a handful of spinach. Hate the taste of bananas? Blend frozen berries with those greens. Once you realize how not-scary these smoothies are (and how much energy you have afterwards!), start experimenting with different combinations.
What I love the most about our new green smoothie routine is that it involves walking around the garden, picking the greens we want, and then putting them straight into the blender. How much fresher could it possibly get? I know some of you are into green smoothies… could you share your favorite combinations?
Green Smoothie
1 bunch chard or kale
2-3 celery stalks, leaves removed
Sm bunch parsley (optional)
1/2 lemon or 1 lime squeezed
1 apple, sliced
1-2 frozen bananas
Frozen berries
Any other fruits or veggies that you think might be good
Layer ingredients in blender with liquids and softer foods on the bottom. Blend and serve!
