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.