Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Green Smoothie


I've always LOVED smoothies and last year I used to make a glass once or twice a week. A simple banana and frozen berry smoothie. Delicious. This year Jadah and Jen from Simple Green Smoothies put out "The 30 Day Green Smoothie Challenge" There is no way I could do it. Green smoothies ...GROSS! I was not brave enough to try that. I read some of the emails and comments and people ASSURED me that you could not taste the spinach. I was skeptical but I gave it a go. What do you know, you can NOT taste it. It taste like a yummy fruit smoothie with all the added goodness. I do not follow the recipes strictly and I just make my own up as I go, but every day this year I have had a green smoothie. I'm not committing myself to the 'challenge', I'm just using them as guidance and motivation when needed. This is now a part of my daily meals and one I hope to continue for as long as I can. This isn't about a '30 day challenge' for me. It is about using different and fun ways to incorporate more fruit and vegetables into my diet to ensure I can suck as much nutrients and goodness out of life that I can. I've had 2 weeks of trial and error and adding and taking away different fruits and vegetables and I have come up with the perfect green smoothie that I love to drink every morning. This is my green smoothie recipe.


My main leafy greens are spinach, kale and parsley. I mix up the fruit with what ever is available at the shops. At the moment it is summer here in Australia so I can enjoy the beautiful fresh berries and my absolute favorite, mango. Each Sunday I have bought my fruit and greens, cut it up and put them in the freezer for the week.


For a weeks worth of fruit I used:
300grams of blueberries
3 mangos
5 kiwi fruit
3 nectarines
3 bananas


I put equal amounts of fruit into 7 zip lock bags for the week and put them in the freezer.

 
I also add a few 'extras' for added nutients. 
Teaspoon of Coconut oil
Teaspoon of Chia Seeds
Teaspoon of LSA Mix - Linseed (Flaxseed), Sunflower and Almond Kernels

 

Each morning I blend 2 cups of mixed greens with a cup of water. I blend these first as I don't have a very expensive blender. When I did put it all in and try to blend, it all got stuck and didn't blend at all! Lesson learned. I then add my fruit and 'extras'. I blend for approximately 3 minutes until mixed and it is a smooth consistency. 

Done, Easy, Simple and no excuses!


This amount makes 2 full glasses. One for myself and one for Rob. I have been making them in the morning and leaving Robs glass in the fridge for when he gets home from work. It keeps really well. Now I know this I am going to start making them at night so Rob can also have his in the morning. See no excuses. 5 minutes maximum at the time or 5 minutes before you go to bed! Perfect!

x S.K.K x

26 comments:

Belinda said...

I've been wondering what you put exactly into this magical drinks, I will have to give them a go!!
Thanks for this post!! x

Claire Chadwick @ Scissors Paper Rock said...

Love that you're doing this too. I have been putting it off for months as I thought they'd be so gross. But was PLEASANTLY surprised how yummy they are once I took the leap and tried one on January 1st! Now they are a part of my morning routine everyday. I think I am addicted to them actually LOL.
xx

Bright Shiny Apples said...

ooo sounds like a great challenge...

yum yum yum!

B said...

Oh this looks YUMMY and HEALTHY! I might have to find that challenge... and get a blender!

I am trying to not eat wheat and am already sugar free, so maybe a smoothie for breakfast is the way to go...

Thanks for sharing...

B from #teamIBOT

Rhianna said...

I love the idea of having it all in the freezer ready to go, that makes it all so much easier doesn't it Thanks for the tip.

Zanni, Heart Mama said...

I have tried them on my daughter, to no avail :) It's one of those things I say to myself that I simply must try doing regularly but never do. Gorgeous blog! xx

Anonymous said...

Freezing individual portions of fruit for a week of smoothies is a great idea! Whatever did we do before zip lock bags?

The colour of a smoothie doesn't put me off, so long as it tastes great. I might have to give this one a try.
Cheers

EssentiallyJess said...

Oh you're a braver woman than me! Although I do like the idea of being healthier. Maybe I'll give it a whirl

x S.K.K x said...

Did you give them a go B? They are so nice! I haven't missed a day!

x S.K.K x said...

Me too Claire! Really addicted! Haha who would of thought!

x S.K.K x said...

Hi B! I'm coeliac so I don't eat wheat either! And I'm lactose intolerant so I find this smoothie is an awesome way to get my natural sugars from the fruit, my iron from the kale and spinach and my calcium from the kale and chia seeds! You should try!

x S.K.K x said...

Oh it sure is! I don't think I would do it if it wasn't all ready like that! I'm a bit.....lazy ;-)

x S.K.K x said...

Ar yes! It's hard to get it I to routine! But I find the individual packs makes it much easier to just whip out and blend! Try adding a couple handfulls of frozens berries to the mix and a bit less spinach and kale - that way the smoothie becomes more red than green and might be more aesthetically appealing for your daughter! Fun cups and playful straws are always good as well!

x S.K.K x said...

Haha I think it was the idea of 'spinach' rather than the green color hehe zip lick bags are a god send! Haha hope you try it! It's very yummy!

x S.K.K x said...

It was pure Instagram peer pressure that made me try haha so grateful though. I've stumbled on something awesome!

x S.K.K x said...

Oh it sure is Yvette! You must try :-)

Unknown said...

Interesting. But something that my husband would try. I'm just not game enough.

Prue said...

I LOVE the freezer tip, you've got me I'm in. Smoothies are one thing my fussy four year old loves, & they're also just about the only way I can get anything healthy into him.
Prue xx

Rachel said...

Hey there - new follower from the linkup. Love your blog & can't wait to read more. Hope you have a great weekend :)
Rachel
http://sugar-stripes.blogspot.com/

The Kids Are All Right said...

Wow. That is a LOT of goodness. And you are very organised. I just had a berry and yoghurt smoothie a few minutes ago, but I;ve never put the greens in. Will have to give it a go.

Grace said...

I've been meaning to look up some recipes for yummy green smoothies. Thanks for sharing this! I love all the ingredients you've mentioned.

x S.K.K x said...

Hahaha I was exactly the same! I took one sip and loved it! Just tastes like fruit!!!

x S.K.K x said...

Oh how fabulous!! I was never a big fruit eater and I'm 27 hahaha so this is the best way to get my daily intake!!! Have you tried them yet? I hope you enjoy them!!!!

x S.K.K x said...

Hi Rachel!
Thank You so much for following! I always love finding new people through the hops!
Can't wait to read yours :-)

x S.K.K x said...

Hello!!!
Yes I was doing exactly the same! Fruit and yogurt were my favourite! Add in the greens and you won't even taste the difference! I promise :-)

x S.K.K x said...

Oh great!!! So glad you found us :-)
You can put in ANY fruits! I mix them up from week to week! Banana and Mango have the strongest tastes!