Green Smoothies

[Mom2boys]

How many dandelions are you using ? I used about half a bunch in my smoothie and it was not palatable.... I can use a whole bunch of spinach, but the dandelion was too bitter. I have a lot of them, so I need to figure out how much to use.

[kristi]

I used a handful or so...

I remember reading on one of Julie Disser's recipes- she said only use 1-2 cups if the green is bitter, and use up to 4 cups if the green is not a bitter one.

This morning I had one orange, a cup of mango, and 1c dandelion greens. This does not make a whole quart.

Yesterday I had one orange, about 2 c mango, a handful of celery and 2 c dandelion. This made a whole quart.

I found both of the above smoothies enjoyable!

[kristi]

I just made another dandelion smoothie..... about 3c mixed frozen mango and pineapple, juice of 2 oranges, a cucumber ( I added this because I need to eat more cucumbers) and 2 small handfuls dandelion greens.

Both kids, Luke and Amanda, drank it and liked it. They said they could "taste a lil bitterness but it was a great smoothie because it was tangy and sweet"

For those of you that are still struggling with the dandelion greens, don't give up yet.. these are such a nurtitional powerhouse! Try just adding one leaf at a time if that is what it takes. Dandelion greens are definitely an acquired taste as are many healthy foods.

[ngio64]

"Light" green smoothie

1 cup spinach
1 cup frozen mango chunks
2 cups frozen whole strawberries
1 ripe avocado
3 oranges peeled

Blend until smooth adding water as necessary.
I added too much water the first time.

Joseph is 6 and picky about vegetables. Even he liked it.

[kristi]

Well, I made a whole new combination this morning and thought I would share.... 1/2 of a frozen banana, a big handful(about a cup) of frozen blueberries, 1/4 of a fresh very ripe pineapple, 1 c freshly made almond milk, a palmful(about 1-2T) hemp seed, and 2 big handfuls spinach. Blend until smooth, add a little purified water if needed to keep the blender moving.

Very sweet and creamy, honestly a bit too sweet for me, but the kids love it!

[kristi]

Well here are two smoothie recipes that I completely enjoyed.

juice of 2 freshly squeezed oranges
about 1c each blueberries and watermelon (mine were frozen, but fresh works also, frozen gives a more slushy texture while fresh is more liquid)
1/2 bunch green leaf lettuce
4-5 dandelion greens
1 c pure water

Blend-makes 1 qt smoothies


flesh of one ripe mango
1c each peaches and blueberries , again mine were frozed
juice of 1/2 lemon
2 big handfuls spinach
4-5 dandelion greens
1 c water plus more if needed to keep blender moving

Blend- Makes 1 qt smoothie

I also have a few tips I have discovered-

Using lighter greens, such as green leaf lettuce or romaine, with darker fruits, such as berries, makes a more attractive looking smoothie

If you smoothie lacks flavor, try adding a little lemon or lime juice for zing before sweetening, the citrus most often gives just the flavor boost I am looking for.

Let me know if you try and enjoy these recipes!!!