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Saturday, January 2, 2010

Super Green Fruit and Veggie Smoothie

My reader friend Amy e-mailed me with a conundrum. Her one year old isn't a huge fan of vegetables. I replied and said, "STORY OF MY LIFE". How many of you can relate with your own one year old, five year old or thirty five year old spouse? Amy wanted to know if I had a recipe for a smoothie with veggies in it. I do now. This smoothie will fill your family up with lots of veggies and fruit without the taste of vegetables that some of your picky eaters don't like. In one serving, you get broccoli, peas, spinach, avocado, banana, apple, kiwi and pineapple. A lovely assortment of nutrition with a gorgeous shade of green to accompany it.

Yes, ALL of this went into the blender.

When we lived in Southern California, I would buy the Trader Joe's green drink stuff. I can't remember what it's called, but I remember we used to call it magic juice. I had convinced Jack that he would run faster and jump higher if he drank magic juice. And he willingly chugged. So if your kids seem a little leary of the green color, explain to them that the stuff is magic. And truly, you wouldn't be lying. We all know the goodness contained in vegetables and fruit.

If you are curious to know how this smoothie was taken with my children, know that Jack gave it a thumbs up. Van ate it because he is like a baby goat, he will eat anything.



1 20 oz can pineapple chunks in juice
1 apple, cored, peeled and chopped
1 banana, peeled and chopped
2 kiwis, peeled and chopped
1 avocado, pitted and peeled
1 head broccoli, cut into florets, about 2 cups
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
1 cup frozen green peas
2 Tbsp honey
1/2 cup apple juice
1 cup crushed ice

In a blender, combine pineapple chunks and juice, apple, banana, kiwis, avocado, broccoli florets, spinach, peas, honey, apple juice and ice. Blend until smooth. Add more juice if needed. Serve immediately.

Yields 6 cups

Rookie's Notes
: I first blended the fruit, avocado and peas to cut down on the bulk and then I added the spinach, broccoli, honey, juice and ice. It all fit in my blender, but barely. Be sure you are careful when blending.

For added nutrition, add ground flax seed. I didn't have any, but I would have added it. Two tablespoons would have been perfect.

If you have a texturally-challenged family, you can definitely strain your smoothie to make it perfectly smooth.

My food snob older sister Megan said that she was quite disappointed in my use of canned pineapple. I told her I used canned pineapple because I needed the juice from it to sweeten the smoothie. So don't judge me.

13 comments:

jenn (+ will) said...

it's called green plant. thanks for reminding me to go grab a glass of it. it makes me feel healthy. i do have to say, the color of your smoothie is about 100x better than the green plant juice. fun!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Holy smokes, your boys drank that? Amazing. I'm not sure my 13 yr olds will believe there's magic in there.
~ingrid

Jessica said...

Funny, I just sat down with my own smoothie to check blogs and found this recipe. I use a Greens mixture 'cause I'm too lazy to use all the veggies. I've also found that whole flax seed is better for you and if you blend it enough you can't tell the difference. Agave nectar is also a great sweetener with a lower glycemic index than honey (and it's less sticky!).

Also, I love that you used avocado. It makes the smoothie texture more like a shake and they are so good for you.

Sassy Salsa girl said...

I think that would be a perfect thing to serve my kids for breakfast. They always beg for smoothies but the classic banana and strawberry just isn't enough. Thanks for the recipe I will be sure to try it :D

Ann-Michelle said...

One of the greatest things I miss about living on the coast is Trader Joe's. *sigh*

This looks amazing.

Celeste said...

k, I've always wondered this, and it might be stupid, but when people say 2 cups of spinach, are you supossed to squash it down or just let it be fluffy? times like these i kinda wish we weighed things....

keely said...

Tempted. I'm very tempted. Noah eats carrots occasionally, but that's about it for veggies. I may give this a try.

Amy said...

I made this tonight and my daughter loved it! She drank more of your smoothie than any other smoothie I have ever made. Plus, there are so many more veggies in this recipe. You are a genius. Thank you!

Unknown said...

Oh, yes. This will become a regular at our house. My kids love smoothies and the color green. As long as they don't *see* me putting the good stuff in it. :)

I'm trying to get more veggies in, too, so I'm thinking this will be a great way.

You are (again) totally awesome.

Unknown said...

That is definitely green! I don't know if I'm brave enough to try it just yet, but it does have some of my favorites so I may work up the nerve. The fact that your kids, who are close to my kids age, liked it is swaying me. I'm all about trying new things these days so we'll see.

Emily said...

I am trying this today... it just looks perfect! Thanks!

Melanie Anne said...

I make a green smoothie everyday for my boys--but mine is boring compared to this! I am going to try this one on them tomorrow! I got a blendtec for my birthday/anniversary/mothers day etc (I had to bargain) but it seriously whips up anything to the perfect smooth texture with no need to strain! i love it! It would be perfict for your "texturally-challenged" family:)

Hildie said...

I'm tempted but also freaked out at the same time. Being a veggie hater I NEED this sort of stuff. But old habits die hard . . . .