Spinach Banana Smoothie

You will soon learn to know about my love for spinach...okay, it's not my favorite vegetable but the health benefits make it part of my family's regular diet. 

This is one of my favorite spinach smoothies.  If you don't have any bananas but have lots of spinach, try this recipe. 

Chocolate Spinach Smoothie

1 cup dark chocolate almond milk (or other kind of chocolate milk, if plain add cocoa) 

2 cups fresh spinach 

1 frozen banana

1/2 cup ice

1 scoop of protein powder (optional, I like Whey Protein)

Put everything in the blender and blend until smooth.  Makes 2 cups.

Spinach Banana Smoothie

Why eat spinach?  Spinach is extremely rich in antioxidants.  It's a rich source of vitamin A, C, E, K, magnesium, manganese, folate, betaine, iron, viamin B2, calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, folic acid, copper, protein, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids.  In fact, side-by-side, spinach has more iron than a hamburger!

Bananas are a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Potassium, Manganese, and Vitamin B6.  

Bananas freeze really well.  If you catch them on sale, pick up some extras and throw them in the freezer.

Cabbage, Peach, and Carrot Smoothie

Cabbage, Peach, and Carrot Smoothie

I got the basis of this recipe from the Vitamix Savor Recipes book.  I have been wanting to make a smoothie with cabbage but wanted to use someone's recipe before venturing out on my own.  This smoothie is not very sweet but has a good taste.  If you are looking for a cabbage smoothie recipe, try this one out.

Cabbage, Peach, and Carrot Smoothie

1/2 cup water
1 cup green grapes (the original recipe calls for red grapes but I only had green)
3/4 cup sliced green cabbage
1 medium carrot, halved
1 yellow peach (or 1 cup frozen unsweetened peach slices)
1/2 cup ice cubes

Place all ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth.  I wasn't sure if my 3-year old would like this smoothie but he did.  It's more savory than sweet but not soupy.  What is your favorite cabbage smoothie?

Raw cabbage is very healthy and is rich in Thiamin, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium, and is a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Folate, and Manganese.

Strawberry, Banana, Orange, Carrot, and Kiwi Smoothie

It seems like most fruits are in season right now which is great because raw foods provide a great source of vitamins and minerals.  I got a really great deal on a box of oranges and have been eating oranges everyday as well and putting one in our morning smoothie.  I also found a great deal on strawberries and bananas. Today I made a Strawberry, Banana, Orange, Carrot, and Kiwi Smoothie.

Strawberry, Banana, Orange, Carrot, and Kiwi Smoothie

1 cup of organic soy milk (or other milk)

1/2 cup strawberries

1/2 frozen banana

1 orange

1 kiwi

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1 cup ice

Put all of your ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Enjoy!

What's in the fruit?

Strawberries: Rich in fiber, contain phenols, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, B1/thiamine, B2/riboflavin, B3/niacin, B6, B12, and Folic Acid. 

Bananas: Good source of dietary fiber, high amounts of potassium, and Vitamin B6.

Oranges: Dietary fiber, pectin, Vitamin C, Hesperetin and Narigenin, and good levels of Vitamin A and good source of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates. Oranges also have a good amount of minerals like potassium and calcium. 

Carrots: Rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and dietary fiber.  Rich source of carotenes and Vitamin A. They are rich in poly-acetylene anti-oxidant falcarinol, and Vitamin C, good amounts of many B-complex vitamins such as folic acid, Vitamin B-6, thiamin, pantothenic acid. Carrots also contain good amounts of minerals such as copper, calcium, potassium, manganese and phosphorus. 

Kiwi: Protects your body from some cancers and heart disease.  It has Fiber, Phytonutrients (which repair DNA), Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, and Zinc.

Strawberry, Orange, and Carrot Smoothie

Strawberry, Orange, and Carrot Smoothie

Here is another delicious and quick smoothie to make.  This is rich in many nutrients especially Vitamins C and A.

Strawberry, Orange, and Carrot Smoothie Recipe

1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 orange
1 carrot
1/2 cup ice

Put everything in a blender and blend until smooth.  Makes about 2 cups.  Enjoy!

Guacamole Recipe

Guacamole

My family loves avocados and we also love guacamole.  I got this recipe from the Vitamix Savor Recipes cookbook and it was delicious.  

When I used to make guacamole I would take my potato masher and mash everything together.  I have to say, making it in a blender is so much easier!  I am also not a huge fan of raw onions, but they are pretty good in this recipe.  Here is how I make guacamole in a Vitamix.

Guacamole in a Blender

1 Roma tomato, quartered, divided use

4 ripe avocados, halved, pitted, peeled, divided use

1/2 cup chopped red onion

2 Tbs lemon juice (I just squeezed the juice of one lemon)

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves (I used basil leaves since that's what I had)

1 tsp salt

1. Place 1/4 tomato, 1/2 an avocado, onion, lemon juice, cilantro, and salt into your blender

2. Blend for 20 seconds or until ingredients are mixed.  If ingredients get stuck, push them down into the blades.

3. Add remaining tomato and avocados into the blender and blend for 1 additional minute.

4. Do not over mix and leave chunky.  Serve with tortilla chips or chopped vegges such as carrots and celery.

Note: For a spicier guacamole, add 1/2 jalapeno pepper during step 1.  

Also, if you like garlic you can add a fresh clove of garlic or some garlic powder to taste in step 1.

Chocolate Spinach Smoothie Recipe

Chocolate Spinach Smoothie

Sometimes it's hard to get kids to eat spinach. Hey, sometimes it's hard to get me to eat spinach. But spinach and other leafy greens are rich in nutrients. One easy way to get your family to eat more spinach is to make it into a smoothie.  This is my quick pick me up spinach drink that actually tastes good.

Chocolate Spinach Smoothie

1 cup dark chocolate almond milk (or other kind of chocolate milk, if plain add cocoa) 

1 cup fresh spinach 

1/2 cup ice

Put everything in the blender and blend until smooth.  Makes 2 cups.

Why eat spinach?  Spinach is extremely rich in antioxidants.  It's a rich source of vitamin A, C, E, K, magnesium, manganese, folate, betaine, iron, viamin B2, calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, folic acid, copper, protein, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids.  In fact, side-by-side, spinach has more iron than a hamburger!

Orange Banana Smoothie Recipe

Orange Banana Smoothie

An orange banana smoothie is one of my son's favorites.  It it simple and nutritious! I use four simple ingredients and it is a hit every time!

Orange Banana Smoothie Recipe

1 cup for organic vanilla soy milk (use can use cow or other kind of milk)
1/2 cup of plain yogurt (vanilla yogurt works well too)
1 frozen banana
1 fresh orange

Put everything in your blender and blend until smooth.  This makes two cups.  If you want it thicker, add half to one cup of ice.  Enjoy!

Health Benefits: Bananas are a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Potassium, Manganese, and Vitamin B6. Oranges are have a good source of Thiamin, Folate and Potassium, and Dietary Fiber and Vitamin C.  Plain yogurt is high in protein, calcium, and is a good source of lactobacteria, or probiotics, which are beneficial live bacteria.  Soy milk is a good source of calcium and protein.