Spinach and Avocado Green Smoothies

By Jen, on January 22nd, 2012%

Avocados are one of my favorite foods. They’re rich and creamy with a delicate flavor that pairs well with so many ingredients. Most people think of guacamole when looking for an avocado recipe. (For good reason…yum!) But avocados are great in other recipes like creamy salad dressings and smoothies.

Here’s a recipe for green smoothies with spinach and avocado. The spinach adds a fresh flavor and the avocado gives the smoothie a thick and creamy consistency. Sweeten as desired with your favorite natural sweetener.

Spinach and Avocado Green Smoothies
1 1/4 cups cold water
1 cup fresh or frozen mango chunks
1 cup fresh baby spinach
1/2 medium ripe Hass avocado, peeled and pit removed
1/2 cup ice cubes
Natural sweetener to taste

Add water, mango chunks, spinach and avocado to blender container. Cover and blend until smooth. Add ice; cover and blend until smooth. Taste for sweetness. Add natural sweetener according to your taste; cover and blend to combine.

Makes 2 servings (2 3/4 cups total)

Recipe Link:
Good and Green Smoothies

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Green Lemonade Juice

By Jen, on December 11th, 2011%


I’m a tad bit obsessed with my Vitamix blender. I put it to good use everyday making things like homemade almond milk, soups and smoothies. Lots and lots of smoothies.

Lately I’ve been using my Vitamix to create juices. I have an electric juicer, but don’t use it often because it’s difficult to clean. Washing a blender is much easier, so I’ve been juicing almost nonstop!

Green Lemonade is one of my favorite juices. It’s a refreshing mix of lemon, kale, apple, celery and ginger. I was inspired to make it after tasting Green Lemonade at a juice bar in a local co-op. Of course it’s not a sweet lemonade, but an ultra lemony juice with the freshness of celery and a spicy ginger bite. The kale gives it an intense green color.

To make the juice add all ingredients to a high speed blender and process until smooth and liquified. Then strain the mixture to release the juice. Discard the solids or find another use for them like adding to blended bean or veggie soups.

Green Lemonade Juice
1 large apple, cored
3 stalks celery
1/2 of a lemon, peeled and seeded
1 thin slice fresh ginger, peeled
1 handful fresh kale leaves, stems removed (about 1 cup)

Cut apple and celery in chunks for easier blending. Add ingredients to Vitamix blender in this order: apple, celery, lemon, ginger and kale. (It’s best to have the heavier, juicer items closer to the blades). Secure lid. Start blender at Variable 1 and turn to Variable 10; use tamper to push ingredients toward blades. Once the mixture is blending freely, turn to HIGH. Blend on HIGH about 1 minute until mixture is smooth and liquified.

Strain mixture through a fine mesh strainer to separate the solids from the juice. Makes about 2/3 cup to 1 cup juice, depending on size and moisture level of fruit and veggies.

Tip: Vary the ingredients according to your taste preferences. For a spicier version, add more ginger. For a sweeter version, add more apple. For a veggier version, add more celery and kale. You get the idea.

Recipe Links:
Cucumber Watermelon Juice
Good and Green Smoothies

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Berry Chocolate Smoothies

By Jen, on January 30th, 2011%

Here’s a new recipe for blueberry banana smoothies. A spoonful of cocoa powder is a tasty addition that pairs well with the berries. The result is like sipping chocolate covered blueberries through a straw.

Berry Chocolate Smoothies
1 cup unsweetened vanilla or original almond milk or soymilk
2 medium bananas, sliced
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or agave syrup
Few drops pure vanilla

Add almond milk, bananas, blueberries, cocoa powder, maple syrup and vanilla to blender container. Cover and blend until smooth.

Makes 2 servings

Tip: If you like a thicker (and colder) smoothie, blend in a few ice cubes.

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Chocolate Almond Smoothies

By Jen, on December 29th, 2010%

Craving a treat but don’t want to break the calorie bank? Try this chocolate almond smoothie recipe. It tastes like a shake, but has the goodness of smoothie ingredients like banana, almond milk and almond butter. Cocoa powder provides a chocolate fix, while pure maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness. Sip on this, and skip the ice cream.

Chocolate Almond Smoothies
1 cup unsweetened vanilla or original almond milk
2 medium bananas, sliced
2 tablespoons almond butter or 20 raw almonds, chopped
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or agave syrup
1 cup ice cubes

Add almond milk, bananas, almond butter, cocoa powder and maple syrup to blender container. Cover and blend until smooth. Add ice; cover and blend until smooth.

Makes 2 servings

Video Recipe:

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