TROPICAL PINEAPPLE GREEN SMOOTHIE ( 2 large or 4 small)

This smoothie is adapted from a smoothie I had at the amazing Zephyr cafe in Squamish, B.C.  I added hemp seeds, flax and chia for extra protein, vitamins and omega fats.  

Ingredients:
3/4 -1 cup fresh or fresh frozen pineapple
2 large oranges
1-2 cm slice of fresh ginger
1/4-1/3 c fresh parsley
1 1/2 - 2 cups packed fresh dark leafy greens (kale, spinach, chard)
1 heaping T hemp seeds
1 heaping T sprouted ground flax/chia seeds (or half a 1/2 of each)
water, unsweetened nut, soy or brown rice milk as needed for desired consistency



Directions: 
Put all the ingredients plus 1c liquid to your blender.  Blend on high for about a minute.  Add more liquid if needed.  If you use fresh instead of frozen pineapple add some ice cubes too.  

VERY BERRY GREEN SMOOTHIE (for 2-4)

 It is berry season in the South Okanagan!  We've already frozen our year's supply of strawberries and just picked up 60 lbs of organic blueberries at Warkentin Organic Farm in Abbotsford. 

I love berries!  I put them in muffins, loaves, muesli, oatmeal, pancakes, chia puddings and crumbles but most of them go in our morning smoothies!  They are sweet and oh so nutritious!  

This smoothie has become a regular around our house in the past couple of weeks....

Ingredients:  
1 banana
1 orange
10 -12 strawberries
1 c mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
1 c unsweetened nut milk (eg. almond, cashew, sesame, hemp), soy milk or brown rice milk
1-2 c packed dark leafy greens 
(kale, spinach, chard)
1 heaping T hemp seeds
1 heaping T sprouted chia /flax mix (or 1/2 T of each ground)
fresh water as needed




Directions:  
Put the ingredients (except the water) in your vitamix (or powerful blender). 

Turn on high for about a minute.  Add enough water for a desired consistency.  Blend again for a few seconds.  Enjoy!  

I store extra in a large canning jar in the fridge.  Alternatively, I make popsicles!

BEST BEGINNER GREEN SMOOTHIE

After my swimming workout last weekend, my girlfriend came over for a latte.  When I asked her if she would like a green smoothie she got this terrified look on her face...but being polite said, "yes".  IF you've never had a green smoothie before, taste this one... you'll be pleasantly surprised!  I used more fruit than I usually do since this was her first one.  She loved it.  The next morning she called me asking for the recipe!  She tested it on her 12 year old daughter who loved it too!  Here's what I used!

Ingredients: 
1 cup leftover cooled Rooibos tea
1 cup raw unsweetened almond milk
1 mango
1 banana
1 small orange
8 large strawberries
2 cups mixed dark greens such as baby kale and spinach
1 cup ice (if your fruit is frozen you may not need ice)
Cold water (if needed)

Directions:
Put everything in the blender in the order listed.  Blend until smooth.  Enjoy!

GETTING STARTED WITH GREEN SMOOTHIES

I LOVE GREEN DRINKS!  They are MY staple!  They make me feel so good and give me tons of energy!  

I usually make a blender full in the morning and then drink it throughout the day.  After pouring my morning one I like to put the leftover in a mason jar and store it in the fridge for later.  That way if I go out I can easily take it with me and don't have to worry about it spilling everywhere!  I think making a green drink is really personal.  It requires a bit of experimentation but once you get the hang of it, it's easy!  

So...you've heard all the great things about green drinks but don't know where to start....

FIRST, CHOOSE A BASE  I use almond milk (see another post on how to make your own raw almond milk!), soy milk, brown rice milk, coconut water, leftover cold green or Rooibos teas or water.  I start with about a cup for my Vitamix blender.  


SECOND, ADD SOME FRUIT (as you get more use to the taste of green drinks you'll naturally be able to reduce the amount of fruit). 
My favourite combos are:
Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries)
Orange and cranberry
Mango, blackberry and lime
Pineapple, coconut, banana and strawberry
Pineapple and orange
Peach, banana and strawberry
The combos are endless!  Just use 
your imagination!  
I fill the blender 1/3 to 1/2 full of fruit.  



THIRD, ADD VEGGIES!  

My favourites are cucumber, fresh ginger, avocado (like bananas, avocados make the smoothie/green drink creamy and OH SO DELICIOUS, herbs such as parsley, cilantro and mint and dark green leafy veggies such as kale, spinach, chard and bok choy.  
I usually add 1-2 cups of packed green leafy veggies.  





NEXT, ADD EXTRAS to help meet your daily requirements of protein, iron, calcium and omega fats.  To a vitamix blender full of smoothie, I usually add 2-3 T hemp hearts, 2-3 T sprouted chia and flax mix and 1-2 T quinoa flakes.  

LASTLY, BLEND AWAY!  If you like your drinks cold and your fruit isn't frozen add some ice.  I stock my freezer with fruit in season.  That way I always have fruit on hand and I can purchase it when it is on sale.  

Oh...and try to buy ORGANIC as much as possible.  I figure there is no use putting pesticides into my body if I'm making an effort to eat well.  The increase cost of organics and healthy eating will save you from buying prescription medications that you'll less likely need!  (My opinion, of course!)