Green Smoothie For Saint Patrick’s Day

March 17th, 2009 - filed under: The Food » Recipes

img_9546

 

What do you think, Yum or Yuck?  ’Cause I know it may look like a green gooey mess of yuck, but believe me when I say – this stuff is the YUM!

Green Smoothies are the breakfast-of-choice for Raw Foodists everywhere, and they’re beginning to gain popularity in the mainstream.  And why wouldn’t they? They’re inexpensive and easy, they pack more micronutrients than a multivitamin, and to top it all off, they’re gleefully delicious.  And, hello?!  They’re greeeeen!!!

I’ve downed one of these babies every single morning since going RAW, and in just two short weeks I’m a total convert.  It’s the best way to start the day, with a copious cocktail of vitamins and minerals, tons of healthy fiber, and easy-to-burn simple sugars.  And my body knows what’s good for it – I wake up craving my morning greens!  It used to take coffee or black tea to drag my sorry sluggish butt out of bed in the a.m., but these days I’m up before the alarm stops singing, ready and happy to face the day.  Gee, do I sound excited?  Hello?!  They’re greeeeen!!!

 

img_9533

 

A quick scout around the net will turn up thousands of hits for Green Smoothie recipes, but I never stick to these.  The beauty of this breakfast is the spontaneity of it.  All you need are some sweet fruits, some dark leafy greens, and a blender or food processor.  Here’s some very rough guidelines:

3 Parts Fruits:

  • banana (I have added a banana in every one I’ve made)
  • apple or pear
  • frozen or fresh berries like strawberry or blueberry
  • frozen or fresh tropicals like mango or pineapple
  • citrus, like oranges or lemons

1 Part Greens:

  • spinach is the most popular
  • collards are wonderful
  • kale is great but watch the quantity (can change the flavor)
  • ‘herby’ greens that *will* change the flavor, like parsley, cilantro, dill, and mint

Other Fun Additions:

  • nut butters like almond or cashew will add protein + ‘substance’
  • ground seeds like flax or hemp are full of great omega-3′s as well as protein
  • lots of people add nut milks as well, for creaminess and flavor
  • various supplement powders like protein, Spirulina, cacoa/carob, or maca
  • fresh squeezed fruit juice or fresh young green coconut water
  • other fruits/veggies like carrots, avocados or tomatoes

Combine with a few ice cubes and water if needed, and BLEND BLEND BLEND.

 

img_9537

 

Right now I’m drinking a green smoothie made of banana, apple, fresh mango, a lemon, parsley, kale, and Spirulina powder.  My secret ingredient and current obsession is the addition of an entire lemon [peeled of course] – it’s like a terrific, tart green lemonade!

And one more Bonzai trick: When you’re using citrus, always zest the fruit before you throw it in.  No need to waste all those precious peels!  Dry the zest on a paper towel and then save it to use in all sorts of baking projects and cooking creations. Or, just dry out your peels to use as homemade potpourri.   Bonzai!

So, what’s your favorite Green Smoothie secret ingredient?  Happy St Patty’s Day!

sign-off

  • http://www.live-green-smoothie-diet.com Angela

    Gorgeous photos…

    I’m wondering what they would be like with the whole lemon if you pick up one of those really, really tender, heavily perfumed, thin-skinned, delicate organic ones. They’re skin is like baby’s flesh, so delicate. I usually juice using the whole lemon when they’re organic.

    I’m gonna see about making a fresh “green” apple-lemonade the next time I come across a really, really good lemon!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

    @ Angela – I’ve definitely thought about tossing in the whole lemon, skin and all. Especially, like you said, those really thin-skinned ones . . . or baby limes even. Mmm. Maybe add some agave to offset the bitterness of the pith?

    K, now I’m definitely going to try that! =)

  • http://livingsimplicity.blogspot.com Tammi

    That looks good! I really wish my food processor wasn’t broken. :( I’ll have to try that out once we get a new one.

  • ingrid

    that sounds amazing. i say green=yummy.

  • Rich

    This looks great, I might give it a try next week (I’m cooking up a new recipe list), as I don’t eat breakfast it’ll be an improvement no matter what ;)

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

    @ Tammi – I see cheap blenders and food processors on Craigslist all the time!

    @ Ingrid – Yay yummy! Here here!

    @ Rich – I never ate breakfast until I started blending. It’s such a refreshing way to start the day though. =)

  • Amber Kaplan

    favorite special ingredient = blood oranges

    least favorite ingredient = rocket (just a little too much flavor!)

    I’ll try the lemon next! Go Green Smoothie, Go!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

    Oooh blood oranges! Good call, I haven’t even had any yet this year. For shame!

  • Amber Kaplan

    Do you have them in Portland? If not, I can bring you some in May. I bring my family citrus whenever I come up (my Dad is obsessed with Meyer lemons – he eats them straight with salt – so I bring him about 5-6 lbs)

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

    @ Amber – Yup, I was actually just lingering over some in the produce market the other day. We get okay citrus here – not anywhere near the bounty of SoCal, but pretty decent.

    I loooove lemons to, I’m seriously considering growing a lemon tree indoors (too cold outside).

  • Josey

    if you save the zest, how long is it good for if you stick it in the fridge?

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

    @ Josey – I’d say the zest would be good for a few days in the fridge, although it would wilt and dry out. When I save it though, I spread it out on parchment or a towel on the counter and let it air dry for a few days. When it’s good and crispy it’ll keep in a spice jar indefinitely.

  • Josey

    ooo nice, thanks very much.. Another question for you, you mentioned you were considering growing a lemon tree indoors….I’m very curious, how would you do this exactly from seed, rather than purchasing a dwarf tree….or what are your plans? I’m considering the same but am not sure how to get started. Thanks!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

    @ Josey – I am growing an indoor lemon tree! It’s really exciting. I just bought a small regular lemon tree (not a dwarf) and planted it in the biggest pretty pot I could find/afford. It was about 2 feet tall when I bought it and only cost around $20, so it’s an easy investment.

    I keep it in front of my south facing living room window, to ensure it gets plenty of light. There’s a heat vent nearby too, to keep it warm, and I water thoroughly once a week.

    It lost all it’s leaves when I transplanted it, which I guess is a common lemon tree response to stress. i was afraid it was going to die, as it stayed bald for months, but now it’s beginning to grow new leaves! It’s starting to flower as well. =)

    It’s really easy to grow fruit trees indoors – they produce fruit even when they’re small, so it’s just a matter of keeping them alive. Good luck!

  • Josey

    Yay! Oh I’m so excited. Thanks so much. By the way, love the blog! You have some amazing tips and I’m using many of them already. Keep up the good work :)

  • Gabriel

    My most favorite ingredient is avocado to make a nice creamy smoothie. Mmmm.

  • Moira

    I’m a late bloomer.. today I *finally* made my first green smoothie! Thanks for your inspiration, Sayward!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

    @ Moira – Welcome to the club! =D