By ERIN TURNER
A few weeks ago I mentioned something on Facebook about making Green Smoothies. Since then I’ve had lots of people asking me for my recipe. Since spinach season is at its peak right now, I thought I would share with you how I make my Green Smoothies.
Honestly, there are hundreds of variations of green smoothies out there in web-land. It all depends on your taste or if you are like me, it depends on what I have on hand to use. There is no right or wrong way to make one, but the thought of starting sometimes scares people so I’ll get you started with how I make mine and you can go from there.
Some of you may be wondering what in the world is a green smoothie and WHY in the world would someone drink such a disgusting looking thing? Well, a green smoothie is simply a smoothie/shake which includes spinach or any green, leafy vegetable for that matter. They have become popular because of the enormous health benefits from drinking spinach.
By freezing spinach this summer, my kids can enjoy spinach smoothies all year round.
My family loves spinach, so getting them to eat it usually isn’t a problem. But having them drink a green smoothie for breakfast gives me some comfort in knowing they are starting their day off right with a extra blast of nutrient and vitamins. For those of you who have kids or spouses who are opposed to spinach, this is a pretty sneaky way to get some of this powerhouse food inthem!
Since this is spinach season right now in Montana, you can get your spinach inexpensively plus it is fresher and more flavorful at this time of year. We grow a bunch of it but for those without a garden, hit the farmers’ market and stock up. I freeze a big pile of it just for smoothies. It’s so nice to break off a chunk of it mid-winter knowing that it was picked fresh the day I froze it!
Using my blender, I add a cup of Greek yogurt (usually plain but any flavored variety works fine). Then I add a handful of spinach (about a cup), 1 banana (did you know when your bananas start getting black you can throw them in the freezer too? Perfect for smoothies!), a cup of mixed berries (strawberry, blueberry and blackberry), and finally I add ½ cup of whole milk and a ½ of juice (whatever variety I have on hand). From here, you can add anything else you’d like…I will add Cod Liver oil, flax seed oil, chia seeds or other additives depending on the season and the kids’ immunity. Some people will add ground flax seed or wheat germ. Again, these things are all up to you and your needs and likes.
My youngest son Gus enjoys a healthy “Green” smoothie.
Once you have everything added, blend away. You may have to add a little more liquid depending on how you like the consistency. Blend for 30-60 seconds or until the spinach is pulverized, pour into glass and enjoy immediately.
Green smoothies provide lots of healthy benefits and with spinach and strawberries in season right now, you can make these for very little money but the investment in your health is enormous!
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Erin’s got tons of tips for saving money, couponing, sticking to a budget, and living sustainably in her blog archive. And Check out our new Coupon section.
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Erin Eisenman-Turner is proud to be a native Missoulian. Along with her husband and three sons, they raise chickens, pigs, rabbits, and vegetables at Turner Family Farms in the Orchard Homes area. When the farm chores are done, the coupons clipped, and the blog written, you can find Erin exploring Montana, collecting antiques, and trying to maintain a well-run, happy, and organized home for her family.
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