Beet Leaf Smoothie

I've been in the experimenting mood trying some new greens, and a new one is beet tops.  The taste really isn't overpowering, I'm not really tasting anything distinguishing as they mix together with all my ingredients.  This one is a nice sweet tasting treat!

When I make my smoothies, I really don't measure much but the chia, hemp and flax.
Here is a guesstimate of my Beet Leaf Smoothie!

2 cups coconut water
1 cup filtered water
6-10 leaves from raw organic beets
2 c fresh spinach leaves
3 stalks celery, flower tops included
1/2 small lemon, peeled
1 small green apple
2 c frozen blueberries
1 c frozen pineapple
2 tbsp hemp seed
1 tbsp chia seed

I always load my liquids first, then greens and heavy pieces on top to help weigh it all down for a nice smooth blending. Using my vitamin, I turn the dial to smoothie and let it run it's automated course. Otherwise, start at 1 and slowly increase to 10 speed. Turn on high for 40-minutes.  If you have a regular blender, blend greens with liquids first, then add lemon and apple with dry ingredients, then add frozen.  Seems to blend easier that way, from my experience.

Enjoy!

Vanilla Lime Green Smoothie!

Another Smooth Move

Today's smoothie is inspired by my Blender Babes.  I've changed it up due to not consuming dairy, and made my own vanilla chia pudding as a yogurt replacement. Which by the way, is a great breakfast treat, or snack alone with some fruit and/or nuts! Yum.

(The original Blender Babes recipe is at the end of this post, enjoy!)

Vanilla Lime Green Smoothie 

1/2 cup vanilla chia pudding
1 cup spinach leaves, packed
2 tsp honey
1/2 frozen banana (I always have many frozen on hand)
2 tbs fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup vanilla almond milk, unsweetened
5 ice cubes

I placed all ingredients in my Vitamix, turned on the smoothie button, and let her rip!

Doesn't this look fabulous! 

This was so smooth and light, it deserved a fancy martini glass!  That's exactly how I devoured it this morning. Yum!  I wish I had made more, and probably will for later :) Thanks Babes!

For the Chia Pudding:

1/3 cup chia seeds

1- 1/2 cups of your choice non-dairy milk, almond, soy, coconut, etc.

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

2 tbs raw coconut nectar, maple syrup (Make thin to blend easier)

Put all ingredients together and shake vigorously.  Let chill for at least 4-hours, or overnight.

Here is the Blender Babes version:

Apple Dandelion Green Smoothie

I AM, a smoothie junkie. It's my morning tradition. I snack on them during the day when I'm craving a 'not so good' snack. Take them on the run. I make tons of this stuff!

Many friends have been asking for smoothie recipes.  Rather than bore them with my traditional, I went web searching for others to try, and share.  Today brings me to the Apple Dandelion Green Smoothie.

10 Reasons You Should Use Dandelion Greens 

Since I just introduced myself to dandelion greens, I thought this would be a good place to start. Don't get too mad at these pesky weeds, they do have a great health benefit.

This was delicious! 

Here are the ingredients that I found on Healthy Smoothie HQ. Check out the website for more info.

- 1 cup water (I used coconut water)

- 1 apple, cored and diced

- 1 cup dandelion greens

- 1/2 fresh or frozen banana

- 1/2 lemon, peeled and seeded

-  A little honey, stevia, or maple syrup to sweeten (I used fresh strawberries I had frozen)

Add some chia seed, flax seed, and/or hemp seed for more nutrition.  You can also add coconut flakes or more of your favortie green, as well as your protein powder.  

If you are new to green smoothies and just starting to test them out, you might want the sweeteners added.  I don't mind the green taste, but I do have my limits at times.  I prefer to use sweet fresh fruits for my sweetener.  When I run out, I'll use a few drops of liquid stevia.

Have a smooth day!

Dandelion Green Smoothie!

It has been for-ev-er since I've posted anything significant, or worth reading and tweeting and Instagram'ing. So today, I'm posting my morning tradition, My Green Smoothie! I haven't shared many, so I hope you try this one.  It sure is yummy!

Ingredients:

12 oz coconut water
1 cup water (optional)

2 stalks celery

1/2 a lemon (peeled, seeded)

4-6 stalks dandelion (new ingredient for me)

1/2 - 1 head/bunch romaine
1 small green apple

1 hand-full spinach

1 banana (frozen)

1 cup strawberries (frozen)

1 tbs flax meal

1 tbs hemp seed

1 tbs chia seed (the more seeds, the merrier :)

I always just throw things in. Never really measuring, so I put approximates up for you.  The greener the better for me, and I like to taste it before putting in the sweet stuff like banana or strawberries.  My fruit is frozen to give it the instant chill, otherwise I'll refrigerate for an hour or so.

The results, just YUM!

Smoothies are good to me if they're thick, thin, green tasting or fresh fruit sweetened.  As you can see, I always make enough for several snacks as well!