THE SNEAKY GREEN SMOOTHIE!

It’s hard to find anyone these days who hasn’t enjoyed at least a smoothie or two. You can pick them up at health food stores, juice shops, and of course, make them at home.

I’m a Make-It-At-Home kinda smoothie girl. I like to use whatever I have on hand (can you say frugal?), AND I like knowing what’s in the smoothie I’m drinking. Too many purchased green smoothies have more in common with a McD’s Shamrock Shake than anything from a real garden. I want energy giving nutrients in my smoothies and not empty calorie fillers!

Smoothies are a perfect breakfast solution as they’re quick to make and take on the go. You ARE eating breakfast every single day, right? Making your own smoothie also provides a convenient way to add any powder or liquid supplements that you may be taking.

As far as equipment goes, I use everything from a hand-held immersion blender to a super-duper mixer, depending on the ingredients, so don’t worry too much about it. Just focus on the ingredients for now.

Like most things, tastes change and experimentations can be a fun thing. When I first began adding greens to my smoothies, I thought it would completely alter the flavor, but I’m happy to be wrong!

Green smoothies are simply delicious!

I limit the amount of fruit I use because of the sugar content, but everything else, I add with gusto. I buy bananas, blueberries and strawberries (which happen to be my favorites) and wash them and cut them up when I get home from the store. I freeze them in advance as the frozen fruit really helps to thicken and enhance the texture of the smoothie.

For several years, I’ve made smoothies that use a combination of some or all of these basic ingredients:

Filtered water, protein powder, small quantity of banana and/or berries, flax, coconut, and coconut oil. I’ve experimented with almond or rice milk too, as well as coconut water. Yum!

Now, here’s the sneaky part – you can add a handful or two of fresh spinach or kale (or other favorite green leafies) to the above smoothie and find very little change in flavor. For a deliciously smooth texture, add avocado **slurp**. What a nutritional kick in the pants! Now … I know what you’re thinking. Yes — you will see a change in color. That’s a good thing!

The color green represents living, fresh, nutrient-dense foods.

As you continue in your own experimentation, you can leave the protein mix type of smoothies behind and simply juice or blend your favorite raw veggies. Shake it up in your kitchen! Experiment with a variety of fresh greens and veggies. I find a combo of kale, celery, cucumber, carrot, coconut, granny smith apple, and ginger to be amazingly refreshing!

I made enough in my kitchen this morning to share, but you’ll have to come and get it. The post office frowns on shipping oozing packages of liquid – green or otherwise. My breakfast this morning has given me the energy I need to get through my day, did yours? Are you green with envy? Then start experimenting in your own home. I can’t wait to hear about the tantalizing combinations that you create!

What’s in your favorite GREEN smoothie?