St. Patty’s Day Green Smoothies
Who says St. Patrick’s Day treats have to be loaded with sugar and fat? This year celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a healthy and delicious way by surprising your friends and family with festive smoothies that contain natural ingredients and happen to be delicious! These green smoothies are packed with fruits and vegetables - a great way for health conscious parents to sneak some nutrients into the mix! These smoothies appeal to both children AND adults, and may even become a part of the usual fare (which isn’t a bad idea since they’re high in protein, calcium, fiber, iron, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients!) A high-powered blender works best, but if you don’t have one, just blend longer until smoothies are creamy.
Super Shamrock Shake
(serves 1)
1 frozen banana (peel before freezing)
1 handful of spinach or romaine lettuce
2-3 slices of avocado
½ cup unsweetened almond or soy milk
¼ tsp. vanilla
A few drops of peppermint extract (to taste)
Added sweetener (honey, stevia, or more banana) – optional
Blend all ingredients (except sweetener) in a blender until smooth. Add additional plant milk if needed. Taste and add more peppermint or sweetener if desired.
It’s Easy Being Green
(a favorite from Chef AJ’s book, Unprocessed)
16 oz. OJ (not from concentrate, or 2-3 fresh oranges)
1 bunch kale (about 12 oz)
2 frozen, ripe bananas (peel, freeze in baggie)
2 cups frozen mango
Fresh mint leaves to taste (optional)
Blend OJ (or oranges) with kale until smooth. Add frozen fruit and blend until thick.
(NOTE: For a creamsicle effect, use half almond milk and half OJ. You can also use spinach instead of kale).
Tropical Greens Delight
(from The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Gluten-Free Vegan Cooking)
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen mango chunks
1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut water
1 cup baby spinach, tightly packed
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, or to taste (optional)
In a high-powered blender, combine all ingredients and blend on high speed for 60 seconds or until smooth. Enjoy immediately.
Green Tea Smoothie
3 cups frozen white grapes
2 packed cups baby organic spinach
1.5 cups strong brewed green tea
1 medium ripe avocado
2 tsp. honey
Combine all in blender, blend until smooth.
Get Your Greens Smoothie
(WholeFoodsMarket.com)
1.5 cups almond milk
1.5 cups packed baby spinach
1.5 cups frozen cherries or berries
Combine all in a blender until smooth.
Shamrock Smoothie
(drfuhrman.com)
3 oz. baby spinach
3 oz. Boston lettuce
8 pitted dates
1 cup almond milk, divided
6 large mint leaves (or ¼ tsp. peppermint extract)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 large frozen bananas (peel before freezing)
Blend spinach, lettuce dates, ½ cup almond milk, mint and vanilla until smooth. Cut frozen bananas into 1” pieces, add to mixture and blend. Add remaining milk until desired consistency is reached. (For a chocolate version, add 1 TSP cocoa powder).
Super Blue Green Smoothie
1/3 cup frozen blueberries
1/3 cup orange juice
½ - 2/3 cup broccoli florets
1/3 cup vanilla soy yogurt
1 large banana
½ tsp cinnamon
1 TBS honey (optional)
In a small pot with ¼ cup water, steam broccoli until bright green and soft. Transfer to blender and add remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth.
Green Protein Smoothie
1/2 cup mixed frozen berries
1 frozen banana (peel before freezing)
1 TBS peanut butter (natural brand, no added oil)
1 TBS ground flaxseed (or whole seed if you have a good blender)
½ cup vanilla almond milk
2 cups packed spinach
Blend until creamy, adding more almond milk or fruit as needed.
Vanilla Lime Green Smoothie
½ cup vanilla soy yogurt (can purchase at Fresh Thyme)
1 cup packed spinach leaves
2 tsp. honey
½ banana
2 TBS lime juice
½ tsp. vanilla
½ cup almond milk
Up to 1 cup ice (optional)
Place all ingredients except the ice in a blender and blend until smooth. Add ice (if desired) and puree until smooth.
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