Green Smoothies - Part II

It has been a few months since I first posted about Green Smoothies. In that time I have talked to dozens of people about what a green smoothie is and how to make them. I have to laugh at the reaction I get when I explain the 'green' part of the smoothie, but once a person tries a green smoothie, they agree that you don't really taste the 'green' part and that they are a simple and tasty way to add some raw nutrients to their diet.

Unlike juice, green smoothies are packed with insoluble plant fiber capable of carrying many time its own weight in toxins out of the body. Drinking a quart a day also combats the lack of leafy green veggies in the standard American diet. We are all unlikely to sit down with a plate of plain, raw kale, collards, spinach and celery everyday. Yet all of these items are quickly and easily added to a green smoothie and slurped down with a straw.

In my previous post, I provided my favorite basic smoothie recipe. It goes like this:
fresh or frozen fruit
1 banana
approx. 1 cup water/ice
large handful of greens

Blend thoroughly and drink up!

Here are a few tips and tricks in preparing the green smoothie of your choice:

• You can prepare your smoothie the night before if you are taking on the go to school or work. Simply blend it up and store in a glass mason jar, preferably filled to the top with as little air as possible and tightly sealed. Refrigerate overnight and take it along in an insulated lunch bag with a refreezable ice pack and a straw for a quick snack or meal.


• Add enough water/ice to get the smoothie consistency you prefer. Fruits like oranges, pineapple and watermelon will all provide a lot of water on their own so you may need to add less.


• As you get used to the taste, add more greens. The more the better!


• It is highly recommended that you use organic fruits and veggies whenever possible. Do the best you can. Here is a list of veggies and fruits that you should buy organic and some that are less important to buy organic.


• Besides water you can use coconut water, juice or cold tea.


• Feel free to add herbs if you like. For example, I add dry Red Raspberry to mine.
  

If you are like me, you will throw whatever fruits and veggies you have laying around into your blender and call it good, but for those of you who prefer a green smoothie recipe or just some new ideas, here you go:

Orange/Blueberry/Banana/Spinach
1 peeled orange
1/2 - 1 banana
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
large handful fresh spinach
water/ice

Tropical Green Smoothie
1 peeled orange
1/2 cup pineapple
1 banana
large handful of fresh spinach or romaine
ice

Strawberry/Banana/Greens
1 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1 banana
large handful of spinach
small handful of parsley
water/ice

Apple/Banana/Greens
1 chopped green apple
1 banana
large handful of spinach, romaine or kale
water/ice

Fruits to try: mango, pear, peach, grapes, watermelon, kiwi, lemon, apple, strawberries, blueberries, banana, pineapple, orange, papaya.

Greens/veggies to try: kale, collard greens, romaine lettuce, spinach, parsley, cilantro, mint, chard, cucumber, arugula.

Get creative and enjoy!
- Shannan

Sources: Green Smoothie Girl, Go Raw Have Fun