Green Smoothies

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Many of you have vowed to eat more veggies (and less fries), exercise regularly, and be healthier in the new year. We all want to lead healthier lives, but eating the amount of veggies that the Doctor recommends isn’t always easy, or tasty. One of the ways I consume my veggies with very little prep, cooking time, or even the hassle of doing many dishes is by drinking green smoothies. It’s also the easiest way for me to keep my toddler healthy and eating her greens, and she drinks them without a battle. In fact, she requests them, because they really are delicious!

There’s an easy formula to follow to make a great tasting, and great for you smoothie. It’s 5 simple steps:

1.|| Pick your base: Coconut water, almond milk, coconut milk, orange juice, filtered water, green tea….

2.|| Pick your leafy greens: spinach, kale, collard, swiss chard, beet greens, romaine (sweet in flavor)

3.|| Pick your fruits: Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Mango, Peaches, Papaya, Avocado (I always add avocado, no matter what other fruit I add), Banana…

4.|| Healthy Additions: Grains, Seeds, Proteins, Nut Butters, Spirulina…

5.|| Sweeten if needed: Stevia, Honey, Agave, Maple Syrup…

BLEND! So easy, and so healthy.

Here’s my BASIC go-to green smoothie recipe that Camryn and I share regularly:

1/2 Avocado (I buy a bulk amount of avocado, cut them into 1″ cubes, and freeze them so they’re at the ready when I want to make a smoothie.)

1 banana (I do the same with my bananas as I do my avocados)

2 large handfuls of Spinach – If you’re thinking “Oh hell no!” at this point, then stop. You can hardly taste the spinach, if at all.

1/2 cup greek yogurt

Frozen Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries

1 tbsp Chia Seeds – These are SO good for you, give them a shot!

1/2 Cup Coconut Milk (add more or less liquid to achieve desired consistency)

BLEND. Camryn and I always change our smoothie depending on what I have on hand, but the avocado, banana, coconut milk, spinach, and chia seeds is our constant.

If Camryn has a sweet tooth then I’ll use chocolate milk and replace the berries with peanut butter for a chunky monkey smoothie.

Cheers to a healthier 2014!

XO – Samantha