Thursday, March 1, 2012

Green Smoothies - all natural.

Green Pina Colada

In the Spirit of St. Patricks Day I thought I would post one of our Green Smoothie recipes. We enjoy these year round but thought you may all enjoy this festive treat and a fun way to introduce the green smoothie.

First off if you think your kids will not drink it because its green, tell them you made it green just for St. Patricks Day (you can tell them later it is loaded with spinach!)

Here is what you need:
Raw organic spinach
1 fresh pineapple (cut up then frozen, then leave sit out to partially thaw for a few hours)
1 can of coconut milk (cold, keep in the refrigerator)
1 banana
2 T flax seeds
1 cup of whole fat plain yogurt

1.In order to get the spinach to liquefy properly it needs to be the first thing you add to the blender. I fill the blender about half full then push it down.

2.Add your partially frozen pineapple (this gives your smoothie a thicker colder taste.)

3. Add your coconut milk (sometimes its very thick at the top but there is a watery milk at the bottom of the can, put this all in.

4. Throw in your banana, yogurt and flax seeds. Blend.

*note My kids are used to things that are not that sweet if this is not sweet enough for you try adding an extra banana or some raw honey.





It makes such a pretty green color.

Falcon and Robin happily sucking down their green smoothies with their green straws.

Spinach -is loaded with calcium, folic acid, vitamin K and iron.
Spinach is also rich in vitamin C, fiber and carotenoids.It also contains lutein and bioflavanoids, spinach is a nutritional powerhouse.

Coconut Milk - it’s an excellent choice. It’s high in saturated fatty acids and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are both easily burned as fuel by the body. MCTs are particularly beneficial in that they don’t require bile acids for digestion, and they’re directly shunted to the liver via the portal vein.

Bananas - are so high in vitamins B6 and B12 and so low in sodium they are a perfect dietary supplement. They also contain magnesium and potassium but beware they are VERY high in sugar.


Pineapple
-Bromelain in pineapple is also regarded as an effective anti-inflammatory. As well as many vitamins and minerals.

Flax seeds - a good source for Omega-3 essential fatty acids

Whole fat yogurt- because fat is not your enemy carbohydrates are!

8 comments:

Unknown said...

This sounds yummy. It would be a great way to sneak those healthy foods into my kids diet. :-)

sunnymama said...

Looks great! Thanks so much for sharing this with our Spring Carnival. :)

2 Better than 1 said...

Looks great! Gonna have to try.

Unknown said...

We love green smoothies! We have been drinking them most days for about a year or so, a great way to get some good stuff in our bodies. I'm stopping by from NOBH today :)

Amy W Thornton said...

I have just started making smoothies in an effort to get more fruit and vegetable servings in every day. I have also been reading a lot about whey protein and flax seed oil. So this recipe really hit at the right time! I can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing with NOBH! Smiles -

sunnymama said...

Just calling by to let you know that I featured this post in a round up of spring recipes from the carnival. :)
http://sunnydaytodaymama.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/all-year-round-week-six-7-spring-and.html

sunnymama said...

Sorry that was the wrong link! The correct link is here:
http://sunnydaytodaymama.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/all-year-round-week-seven-7-spring.html

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