Smoothies

Photo from www.smoothieweb.com

I have never been  breakfast person. I know - odd. Most people love a big breakfast. I'm just not that hungry in the morning and if I have a large breakfast I need to take a nap afterward. So breakfast has always been tough for me. I'm just not ready to eat at 8 am. I prefer 10 am brunch and even then I usually order lunch.

Here is where the smoothie comes in. I can drink things in the morning but it can't be too sweet. So I've been on a quest to gather great smoothie recipes over the last few years. They have changed my mornings! Super fast and super easy and super healthy. If it fits all three -- then I'm in!

Hint -- Always FREEZE your bananas! A frozen banana turns your smoothie into a creamy delicious-like shake. Frozen berries are great too but they don't turn your smoothie creamy. And even if spinach is in the recipe it doesn't mean that you can taste it. It just looks green. Don't let that scare you (or your kids) away.

Here are some of my favorites:

Jedi Juice
(from Lisa M. - she told her kids that to be a good Jedi they needed to drink good food. It worked!)

2 cups of Orange Juice
2 cups of spinach (washed and torn)
1 frozen banana
*I also add 2 Tblsp ground flaxseed and wheat germ


Healthy Smoothie
(Cathy Silvers from Healthy Living made this for me one Saturday. Loved it!)
*I saw what she put in but not how much. So I've just messed around with it until I found something that worked. It all worked!

Handful of pitted dates (get good dates -- makes a difference!)
2 cups spinach
1 whole apple (sliced if your blender is old like mine)
2 cups water
*I always add the flaxseed and wheat germ -- why not?

Strawberry Smoothie
(this is from one of my daughter's friends)

1 cup frozen berries (or fresh -- even better, but keep the greens on. They're supposed to be like any other green top from a veggie -- good for us!)
vanilla yogurt (i put in a small child-size container)
2 cups soy milk or almond milk
scoop of protein powder
frozen banana is optional
flaxseed and wheat germ
*I have interchanged strawberry with blueberries and raspberries and it works great as well.

Choco - Banana Smoothie
(my son makes this a lot for an after school snack)

2 cups milk (or more if he's really hungry or if I want some too)
1 frozen banana
1/4 cup sweetened chocolate powder
flaxseed and wheat germ

I use almond milk a lot in the smoothies or mix it half and half with regular milk.

Do you have a favorite smoothie? Let me know! I'm always looking to try a new one.
Enjoy!