Intense Green Smoothie – Recipe

Intense Green Smoothie

Yummy Green Smoothies! Over the last few years I have been spotted around town, on a mountain, in class, or in my kitchen consuming a drink that has drawn more than a few odd stares. What’s making them so perplexed? That would be the beautiful bright grass green (or deep mucky color blueberry variation) of my Intense Green Smoothies. I’ve been touting the benefits of green smoothies during each encounter and assure others of their flavorfulness… in a great way! It amuses me to no end to watch people try them for the first time. Their doubting faces scrunch up as the draw the cup to their lips. Then with a soft waft of the fruity scent and sweet flavor touching their tongue I see eyes light up with surprised enjoyment. Some have asked for the recipe, others take just one step closer to the realization that green is good!

My nephew showing off his smoothie mustache!

Those asking for more is not limited to my peers. My five nieces and nephews range from age 2-11 and even the little ones show up after a long road trip asking Aunt Becky to make them a “smmmooffee.” When I first started slipping the greens into these low-veggie/peanut butter & chocolate fanatic children (love them!), I added plenty of frozen blueberries, which spread their purple color throughout, more easily than the fresh kind. It didn’t take long though to get to this point now though. They have overcome whatever the appearance maybe because they are so in love with the taste that I can make it with any variety of ingredients without regard to the color combinations. If you are trying to share this recipe with a new friend, keep coloring mind when blending purple, green, and red – this can make a crazy color that will turn heads!

SERVES TWO

INSTRUCTIONS: Blend base, with your choice of greens, flavors & supplements, and liquids in a blender until smooth.*

BASE:

1 banana (spotted ripe is sweetest, blending them frozen is nice, start with one but can reduce to 1/2 on later attempts)
1/2 apple (golden, gala, or fuji can be frozen)

GREENS:

1/2 small avocado (optional, high in folic acid and good fats)
1-2 handful spinach (high in folic acid, iron and a great variety of nutrients, add an additional handful of spinach if the following greens are unavailable/not handy)
1 lg leaf kale (curly green)
4 small/baby garden greens (radish &/or carrot tops)
1/2t spirulina powder (a high nutrient algae supplement, available at Earth Origins in bulk)

FLAVORS & SUPPLEMENTS:

4 spearmint leaves (pairs very nicely with watermelon)
1T liquid probiotic (inner-eco’s berry flavor)
2t lemon flavored fish oil (Carlson’s) (from cold-water fish, high in Omega 3s: DHA & EPA)
1/2c blueberries (optional, frozen, a moderate amount may turn it an ugly color but it also adds great antioxidants and is very tasty!)
3 strawberries (optional)

LIQUID:

6-8 oz Coconut Water
1/8c Cranberry Juice
1/8c Pomegranate Juice
- or -
1c Orange Juice (100% natural, preferably not-from-concentrate and with pulp, this option tastes more acidic than the others)
- or -
1/2c Grape Juice (no added sugars)
1/2c Water - or – 1c Watermelon *if using watermelon, add into the blender as first ingredient as it becomes a liquid quickly this way

This is my favorite breakfast on the go. I feel great! Enjoy!