How Could Something So Green Taste So Good?

I have been drinking green smoothies for quite a while and can feel and see the positive benefits. My energy levels are up and my skin feels great. Many people do not consume enough greens; that use to be me but now I crave them and drink 2 (way too large) green smoothies a day! All green plants contains chlorophyll a, some vegetables contain particularly high amounts of total chlorophyll. Best studied of all the vegetables is spinach. A molecule of chlorophyll closely resembles a molecule of human blood. According to teachings of Dr. Ann Wigmore, consuming chlorophyll is like receiving a healthy blood transfusion. SO EAT (OR DRINK) YOUR GREENS!  Click here to learn more about the benefits of Green Smoothies.

I have placed my two favorite Green Smoothie recipes that are easy to make and taste amazing. I do replace the water with 100% coconut water. I have a Vitamix (best $$ I have ever spent) so it mixes up quickly and to perfection. For those that don’t have a blender with a strong motor I placed a Kale recipe below that I eat (again, way too much) that my friend Libby sent me. It ROCKS!

Going Green Smoothie

1 cup (160 g) green grapes

1/2 cup (78 g) pineapple

2 cups (60 g) fresh spinach

1/2 ripe banana, peeled

1/2 cup (120 ml) water

1 cup (240 ml) ice cubes

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid. 2. Select Variable 1. 3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High. 4. Blend for 60 seconds or until desired consistency is reached. Serve immediately.

Health Classification: Diabetic Friendly, Low Fat, Low Sodium, Low Cholesterol, Heart Healthy, Vegetarian, Vegan, Raw

 Kale and Pear Smoothie

Drink to better bones, help for your heart and an improved immune system—you get it all in this delicious Vitamix green smoothie!

Kale may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to making a great smoothie—but it is definitely one of the best! Dark leafy green kale is packed with calcium in a form that the body finds easier to digest than milk—and that’s a real bonus for your bones. Pair these nutritious but bitter leaves with pear, green grapes, and orange and a banana, and you get a surprisingly sweet smoothie that is absolutely loaded with nutrition.

Green grapes may help improve circulation and prevent blood clots—and the seeds contain protective flavinol compounds that fight free radicals and repair connective tissues. Oranges protect against colds, flu, heart disease and strokes with a big vitamin C immune boost. Bananas are a smoothie staple, but they are packed with cholesterol calming potassium. Yield: 4 cups (960 ml)
Speed: Variable to High
Time: 1 1/2 minutes

• 1 cup green grapes
• 1 (130 g) orange, peeled
• 1/2 Bartlett pear
• 1 (120 g) banana, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup kale
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups ice cubes

Directions
Place all ingredients into container and secure the lid. Select VARIABLE speed #10, then to HIGH for 1 ½ minutes. Turn machine off. Serve immediately.   

Kale Waldorf Salad

This variation on the classic Waldorf salad uses kale instead of lettuce and adds apple and walnuts to the dressing for a creamy consistency without using the typical mayonnaise base. Serves 6 Ingredients 4 cups packed finely chopped raw kale, preferably dinosaur kale

• 1 large red apple, such as Fuji or Honeycrisp
• 1 cup thinly sliced celery
• 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped, divided
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons raisins, divided
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons water, more if needed
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Method: Place kale in a large bowl. Chop half the apple and add to kale along with celery, 1/4 cup walnuts and 1/4 cup raisins. Chop remaining half of apple and put in a blender along with remaining 1/4 cup walnuts, remaining 2 tablespoons raisins, mustard, water, vinegar and salt. Purée until well combined and slightly thick, adding water if needed to thin. Pour dressing over kale salad and toss to combine.

Nutrition Per serving (about 5oz/131g-wt.): 140 calories (60 from fat), 7g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 135mg sodium, 20g total carbohydrate (3g dietary fiber, 10g sugar), 3g protein