green smoothies

Ive tried to make a few of the green smoothies this week and while the taste was ehhh ok...the textures is eeooww...anyone have suggestions on combinations that taste good together..

Sat. Nov 22, 11:02am

Basic Beginner's Recipe
Start by blending these together:
1 orange, peeled and quartered
1T flax meal
1/2C carrot juice

Once they are whirling around looking blended slowly add 2oz baby spinach
When it looks like it is done, let is spin another minute
Then add 1/2C frozen mango or pear cubes

Blend another minute.

The extra blending time smooths out the texture. The baby spinach is smoother too. If you want really silken smoothie, get a VitaMix

Saturday, November 22, 2008, 12:15 PM

Ok. Here's my running list with recipes from other teammates as well!

Try these combos. Throw ingredients into a blender and whiz until smooth. If the quantity is too much for your blender's capacity, try cutting things in half. I use my magic bullet to make single portions, so I modify quantities all the time with good results. It's trial and error, really, since everyone has such different preferences with regard to thickness, sweetness, etc. But here are some ideas for you.
One of my favorites is to pack my blender with baby spinach and 1 chopped up organic gala apple, then add 6-8 oz water and whiz until smooth. Depending on the sweetness of the apple, I may stir in a tsp of agave.
I also love doing a cup of frozen strawberries with 8 oz vanilla rice milk, 1 cup spinach (I know, but you won't taste it in this one, it just adds the great nutrients and gives the finished smoothie a slightly earthy color!) and 2-3 tsp organic dutch cocoa powder --- it's heavenly if you like chocolate.

So here's the list that I've got... mooched and modified from who knows where at this point!

Sometimes the weirdest combinations are the best!
Enjoy them ~ Sarah L

Mango-parsley: 2 large mangos, 1 bunch parsley, Water

Peach-spinach: 6 peaches, 2 handfuls of spinach leaves, Water

Mango-weeds: 2 mangos, 1 handful of lambs quarters, stinging nettles, purslane, etc, Water

Strawberry-banana-romaine: 1-cup strawberries, 2 bananas, 1/2 bunch romaine, Water

Apple-kale-lemon: 4 apples, 1/2 lemon juice, 4-5 leaves of kale, Water

Kiwi-banana-celery: 4 very ripe kiwis, 1 ripe banana, 3 stalks of celery, Water

Pear-kale-mint: 4 ripe pears, 4-5 leaves of kale, 1/2 bunch of mint, Water

Finger banana-spinach: 10 finger-bananas, 2 handfuls of spinach leaves, Water

Bosc pear-raspberry-kale: 3 bosc pears, 1 handful of raspberries, 4-5 leaves of kale, Water

These are more for juicing, but you can whiz up a smoothie with a high octane blender (add at least 8 oz water, more if the consistency is too thick):
#1 Energizer... Carrot, Celery, Parsley
#2 All Good... Carrot, Apple, Beet
#3 Love... Apple, Beet, Ginger
#4 A “OK”... Apple, Orange, Kale
#5 Gimme Greens... Kale, Parsley, Celery, Cucumber, Spinach, Collard Greens
#6 Sweet Greens... Same as #5 with Carrot
#7 Veggie Cocktail... (Spicy or Mild) Tomato, Carrot, Celery, Parsley, Lemon, Kale, Spinach, Garlic, Onion
#8 Popeye’s Favorite... Carrot, Spinach, Apple
#9 Chlorophyll Cocktail... Beet, Parsley, Spinach, Carrot, Apple
#10 Garlic Express... Garlic, Carrot, Celery, Parsley
#11 Cal-C-Yumm... Parsley, Kale, Carrot, Apple
#12 Body Cleanser... Carrot, Cucumber, Beet, Apple
#13 Immune Builder... Carrot, Parsley, Spinach, Celery
#14 Berry Good ... Apple, Banana, Berries, Date
#15 Tropical ... Orange, Banana, Pineapple, Mango, Date
#16 Pina Cool-ada ... Pineapple, Banana, Coco. & Mac. Nuts, Date
#17 Caro-bana ... Banana, Tahini, Carob, Date
#18 Straw-bana ... Strawberry, Banana, Date
#19 Ora-bana ... Orange, Banana, Date
#20 Vanilla-bana ... Banana, Organic Vanilla, Date, Almonds
#21 Granola Stew ... Any Smoothie w/ 1 Scoop Granola On Top
#22 Fruit Stew ... Any Smoothie w/ 1 Scoop Diced Fruit On Top
#23 Acai Rio Bowl... Brazil’s Acai Fruit Blended w/ Banana,
w/ Granola & Sliced Banana On Top
#24 Coconut Mango Shake... Coconut Milk, Coconut Flesh, & Mango Blended
#25 Coconut Blast... Any Smoothie w/ Coconut Water & Flesh
#26 Kookies & Kream... #20 Smoothie w/ Cacao Nibs,
Coconut Water & Coconut Flesh...Yummy!
#27 Smart Tart... Granny Smith Apple, Berries, Almonds
#28 Superfood Smoothie... Bananas blended w/ Cacao Powder,
Cacao Nibs, Maca, Hemp Protein, & Goji Powder
#29 Green Zing... #5 w/ Granny Smith Apples, Lemon, Ginger
#30 Liver Mover... Beet, Carrot, Cucumber, Coconut Water & Flesh

Frozen mocha frappucino
1c soy milk,1tblsp cocoa,1 to 2 tblsp sugar,honey or agave.1tblspflax oil,1tblsp instant coffee powder,about 1/2 to 3/4 cup frozen spinach(more or less to taste)1c ice(2if you like)dash of vanilla(optiional) blend all and enjoy !makes 2 servings 130 cal 4gr fat

Green Lemonade
1 head Romaine
2 apples
1 carrot
1 lemon (juice, pulp, zest)
1 lime (juice, pulp)
big handful of spinach (or kale - bitter)
water

whir it around in the processor, having no juicer. It's usually enough for several servings, depending on the amount of water.

Chocolate Smoothie
(from Eat for Health:)
Serves 2
5 oz baby spinach
2 c frozen blueberries
1/2 c soy milk
1 med. banana
2 medjool or 4 deglet noor dates
2T natural cocoa powder
1 T ground flax seeds

Sunday, November 23, 2008, 8:54 PM

wow.. what a list sarah.. would almond mik work just as well? I am starting to try some new things and would love to add green smoothies as one of those things.

I love baby spinach and I always keep frozen and fresh fruit on hand.

that choc one sounds so good.

thanks

*lynneta*

Monday, November 24, 2008, 2:53 AM

thanks..im going to print that list and give some a try..

Monday, November 24, 2008, 10:48 AM

As far as texture is concerned, it can be a personal thing. Some people like the texture of frozen bananas in their smoothies, but I can't stand it and have to use fresh. It is the opposite for strawberries. Fresh don't do it for me, they have to be frozen. I started adding water and ice to all my smoothies and like the texture much more.

Sarah L, those recipes look incredible! Thank you for posting them.

Monday, November 24, 2008, 11:07 AM

op

I made my usual smoothie this morning and added spinach to that..
frozen strawberry, banana, a little pomagranate juice, flax seed, soy milk. and then added the spinach..didnt let it go completely green and it was pretty good.
am still going to try some of the recipes above

Monday, November 24, 2008, 3:12 PM

thanks Sarah

Wow Sarah - what a great list!! thanks. I used to juice for years and its great. I'm confused now about what juicer is worth the money. This sounds lazy, but I want a juicer I can use all day, and wash once at the end of the day.

thanks!

Monday, November 24, 2008, 5:15 PM

Yeah!

Glad you all like the list. I add to it whenever I can and I hope it can be something that you keep and modify to suit your tastes. It really is a taste thing!

Lynetta -- Almond milk, rice milk, hemp milk, water --- all work equally well. I tend towards water these days because I find that I really don't get the flavor of the "milk" in most of my favorites, so why waste the calories and the money on something that I get fresh and clean from my tap!

11:07 -- I use ice in my smoothies in the summer time and love the texture.

And I forgot to note that I add flaxseed to every smoothie. It's such an easy thig to do and provides great health benefits. If you're not used to using flaxseed or flaxseed meal, go easy to start because even a little (like1 Tbsp) will thicken a smoothie considerably.

as a quick p.s. I had a spinach, cocoa, rice milk smoothie tonight. I warmed the rice milk and then blended and it was a really great way to unwind and get some extra nutrients after a long day!

5:15 -- I've heard great things about the acme juicer and the lalane juicer.

Monday, November 24, 2008, 10:47 PM

coconut milk is a great addition to a smoothie. The coconut milk by Turtle Mountain is excellent- you can get it at whole foods and it is a great alternative to soy and dairy.

Sunday, June 14, 2009, 4:24 PM

smoothies

I make fruit smoothies for breakfast. I put in a blender, baby carrots, (if they aren't small enough, I slice them smaller), strawberries, blueberries, Skim milk, 2 Tblsp. flaxseed(already milled), 1 scoop of protein powder. I pulse it to get the carrots broken up, then put the blender on the 'ice breaker' speed for about 3 minutes. I really think it is good! I have drank this for 3 years.

Sunday, June 14, 2009, 8:39 PM

smoothies

Try milk, chocolate syrup and orange. Tastes like a chocolate covered orange.

Monday, June 15, 2009, 5:46 AM

Will replacing meals with smoothies help me lose weight?

Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 2:48 PM

If your calorie expenditure consistently exceeds your calorie intake, then yes, you will lose weight.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 3:07 PM

So are the smoothies that are listed in Sarah's post low calorie? Can I start with that list and be able to cut out a bunch of calories from my diet?

Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 3:09 PM

Replacing meals with smoothies may not work for everyone. I love smoothies, and I tried drinking them instead of meals but for some reason my brain doesn't like it. I feel like I've been deprived if I haven't had something solid to stick my teeth in, and I end up snacking on solid things too.

I try to limit my smoothies to once per day max, or I end up snacking more.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 3:40 PM

3:09

most of the smoothies with greens and fruits are low cal. Add in the nuts and soymilk and you increase your calories and fat. I find the green smoothies so filling that I avoid other foods that are more fattening. In my experience, the more you consume nutrient dense foods, the less you crave fats and sugars... so for me, it evens out and I lose weight. But like another poster wrote, I also like to have food to chew, so I switch things up.
Sarah_L

Saturday, June 27, 2009, 10:47 AM

Another great smoothie list, part 1

This was from:

www.greensmoothiechallenge.org

Below are 70 Green Smoothie recipes compiled during the first Green Smoothie
Challenge as promised
Bon appetite!

70 Green Smoothie Recipes
Here are 70 green smoothie recipes from the 1st Green Smoothie Challenge.
Remember to use pure water and organic produce for maximum results. You may
like to add more or less water to the recipes depending on how thick or thin
you like your smoothies. Feel free to experiment and create your own recipes
The most important thing to add to your smoothies is 2-4 large handfuls of
dark, leafy green vegetables.

Victoria Boutenko's Favourite
Blend well:
6 leaves of red leaf lettuce
1/4 bunch of fresh basil
1/2 lime (juiced)
1/2 red onion
2 celery sticks
1/4 avocado
2 cups of water

Sergei Boutenko's Favourite
Blend well:
5 kale leaves (green)
1/2 bunch of fresh dill
1/2 lime (juiced)
3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup sundried tomatoes
2 cups of water

Recipe #1
2-3 cups of greens of your choice,
2 cups papaya,
2 oranges
No water necessary

Recipe #2
1 handful lettuce leaves
1 handful mint
3 bananas
2 cups water

Recipe #3
4-5 kale leaves
3 apples
1/2 lemon juiced
2 cups of water

Recipe #4
3-4 stalks celery
2 ripe persimmons
1 banana
1 -2 cups water

Recipe #5
1/2 head romaine lettuce,
1 cup pineapple,
1 large mango,
1-inch fresh ginger

Recipe #6
2 -3 cups of your favorite grapes
1 handful parsley
2 handfuls of baby Spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #7
1 cup pineapple
1 banana
2 sticks of celery
1 handful of your favourite leafy greens

Recipe #8
1/2 avocado
1/2 capsicum
one small onion
2 cloves garlic
one chilli
2 handfuls black cabbage
2 cups water

Recipe #9
3 bananas
a cup of papaya
4 big handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #10
2 bananas
1 apple
1 pear
2 handfuls of parsley
2 big handfuls of kale
2 cups of water

Recipe #11
1 large dragon fruit
2 bananas
1 handful of parsley
1 small bunch of bok choy
2 cups of water

Recipe #12
3 bananas
3 huge handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #13
2 bananas
1 dragon fruit
2 huge handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #14
2 bananas
1 apple
1 pear
2 handfuls of parsley
2 big handfuls of kale
2 cups of water

Recipe #15
1 large dragon fruit
2 bananas
1 handful of parsley
1 small bunch of bok choy
2 cups of water

Recipe #16
4 large ripe bananas
2 large handfuls of kale
1 small handful of parsley
1 handful of baby spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #17
1 apple
1 pear
2 bananas
1 1/2 cups of kale
1 stalk of celery
2 cups of water

Recipe #18
2 cups of papaya
1 banana
2 cups of leafy greens of your choice
2 cups of water

Recipe #19
3 cups of mango
1/2 medium sized romaine lettuce
1 cup of water

Recipe #20
1/2 pint rasberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 pint blueberries
2 bananas
3 big handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #21
1 apple
1 peach
1 nectarine
1 carrot
1/4 avocado
1 lemon (without peel or seeds)
Then filled the blender (Vita mix) with
parsley
romaine lettuce
chard
1 cup of water

Recipe #22
Handful each of
kale,
parsley,
mezclun
1 celery stick
pineapple
1 banana.
2 cups water

Recipe #23
1 cup papaya
1 orange
1/2 head romaine
1 big lovely bunch of red grapes.
two stalks of celery
2 cups water

Recipe #24
1 bunch coriander,
1 apple,
1"ginger
1 banana
1 cup water

Recipe #25
2 handfuls baby spinach,
1 celery stick,
1 handful parsley,
1 Granny Smith apple
1/4 tsp ginger powder
2 cups water

Recipe #26
3 handfuls baby spinach
2 celery stalks & leaves,
1 cup water,
1 green apple,
1 frozen lady finger banana
a quarter of fresh pineapple

Recipe #27
2 handfuls of carrot tops
2 stalks of celery
1 handful of sunflower sprouts
3 big red lettuce leafs
1 serving of aloe vera dried gel (from "Good Cause Wellness")
3 bananas
2 cups water

Recipe #28
2 handfuls of baby spinach
2 kale leaves
1 serving of aloe vera dried gel
1 Granny Smith apple
2 oranges
1 cup of water

Recipe #29
3 big green lettuce leaves
1 handful of sunflower sprouts
2 handfuls of baby spinach
1 serving of aloe vera
6-7 big strawberries
1 handful of blueberries
1 cup of water

Recipe #30
2 bananas
6-7 strawberries
1 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera
half a Cos lettuce
1 cup water

Link

Saturday, June 27, 2009, 10:48 AM

part 2

Recipe #31
4 large ripe bananas,
2 large handfuls of kale,
1 small handful of parsley,
1 handful of baby spinach and
2 cups of water

Recipe #32
1 apple
1 pear
2 bananas
1 1/2 cups of kale
1 stalk of celery
2 cups of water

Recipe #33
2 cups of papaya
1 banana
2 cups of leafy greens of your choice
2 cups of water

Recipe #34
3 cups of mango
1/2 medium sized romaine lettuce
1 cup of water

Recipe #35
1/2 pint rasberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 pint blueberries
2 bananas
3 big handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #36
3 bananas
3 huge handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water.

Recipe #37
2 bananas
1 dragon fruit
2 huge handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water.

Recipe #38
1 handfuldandelion greens
1 handful parsley,
1 handful spinach,
1 banana,
1 orange
1 cup frozen raspberries

Recipe #39
lots of kale
juice from several lemonades (or lemons if unavaiable)
1" square or ginger, finely choppped
big dollop of honey
generous slosh of sugar cane juice
1-3 tsp of coconut oil
bit of water

Recipe #40
3 bananas
1 cup of papaya,
4 big handfuls of baby spinach
2 cups of water

Recipe #41
1 cup spinach,
1/2 inch ginger,
1 lemon,
1 cucumber,
2 celery
2 pears
1 cup water

Recipe #42
1/2 avocado
1/2 capsicum
one small onion
2 cloves garlic
one chilli
2 handfuls black cabbage
2 cups water

Recipe #43
Half a head of green leaf lettuce
2 bananas
juice from 2 tangelos
1/2 a bag of frozen mangos
1 pear
1 cup of water

Recipe #44
1 banana
Handful of Strawberries
Large Handful of Spinach
Dab of Water

Recipe #45
3-4 celery sticks
50 cent piece of grated ginger
1-2 apple or banana or pear (varied to what felt right that day)
2 cups water

Recipe #46
1/2 cos lettuce,
1 apple
1 banana
1 cup dandelion greens
1 celery stick
1tablespoon of soaked chia seeds

Recipe #47
1 lime
1 celery stick
1 cucumber
1 apple
1/2 gingerginger
1 garlic clove
parsley
mint
comfrey
dandelion
spinach or mushroom plant
brahmi
bazil
coriander
asparagus
fenegreek sprouts
tummeric
water

Recipe #48
4 very ripe persimmons
1 stalk of celery
1 handful of baby spinach
1 hand ful of dill
2 cups of water

Recipe #49
1 Large Pear
1" ginger
4 leaves of Romaine
1/2 a frozen banana

Recipe #50
1/2 banana
1/2 pear
juice of half an orange
about a cup of parlsey

Recipe #51
2 large handfuls of spinach (organic)
2 large handfuls of mixed baby greens (organic)
.5 cup alfalfa sprouts
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1 Tbsp flax seeds
2 slices of whole pineapple
1 small banana
1 cup water

Recipe #52
2 bananas,
2 cups spinach,
a stalk of celery and
2 cups of water

Recipe #53
spinach--4 or 5 fists full
cucumber--1 big or 2 small
(frozen) green grapes--1 cup
water--1/2c to 1c

Recipe #54
3 bananas
1/2 a bunch of fresh dill
2 celery stalks
1/2 bunch of bok choy
2 cups water

Recipe #55
one-half bunch of the following:
dandelion
parsley
cilantro
kale
red russian kale
5 stalks of celery
1 mango
about 10 strawberry
1 pear
gel of whole aloe vera leaf
a pinch of homeade green powder
1/4 cup water
a few frozen grapes
garnished with
broccoli sprouts and bee pollen

Recipe #56
1 orange,
1/2 head romaine lettuce
1 bunch red grapes
two stalks of celery

Recipe #57
3 handfuls of mixed baby spinach and
celery stalks & leaves,
1 cup water, 1 green apple,
1 frozen lady finger banana
and about a quarter of fresh pineapple

Recipe #58
1 punnet of strawberries,
2 pears
3 small handfuls of baby spinach,
1 bunch of Chinese bok choy and
2 cups of water

Recipe #59
1 handful of spinach (organic)
1 handful of romaine (organic)
1/2 ounce of Mint leaves (organic) or more if you like it really minty
3/4 or 1 pound of strawberries (organic)
1 banana (organic)
1 cup of filtered water

Recipe #60
2 large glasses of water
2 large handfuls of baby spinach
bunch of parsley
little bit of kale
banana
pineapple
papaya
mango
plus 1 tsp flax oil

Recipe #61
1 apple
1 peach
1 nectarine
1 carrot
1/4 avocado
1 lemon (without peel or seeds)
Then filled the blender (Vita mix) with
parsley
romaine lettuce
chard
1 cup water

Recipe #62
Handful each of
kale, parsley,
mezclun
celery,
1 cup freshly squeezed pineapple juice,
1 banana.
1 cop water

Recipe #63
2 bananas
3 large spinach leaves
1/2 bunch mint
1 tsp maca
1 tsp soaked chia seeds
1 tsp goji berries (they give the smoothie lovely little pink flecks!)
1 date
1 cup water

Recipe #64
2 bananas
1/2 cup raspberries
1 pear
2 big handfuls baby spinach
1 tsp flax seed oil
1 cup water

Recipe #65
2 cups water
3-4 frozen or fresh bananas
3-4 yellow mangoes
1 cups raspberries
1 cup organic red grapes
5-6 or more kale leafs
some mint leafs
1 cup water

Recipe #66
2 oranges
1 lemon
1 bunch of fresh mint
1 bunch of a mixture of greens; spinach, parsley, kale
stevia to sweeten to taste.

Recipe #67
1 bunch bok choy,
1 banana,
1 pear,
6 strawberries,
celery
1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil
1 cup water

Recipe #68
Dandelion greens
Mango
2 bananas
8 romaine leaves
2 cups ice cold water
1 tablespoon raw cacao nibs

Saturday, June 27, 2009, 10:48 AM

FYI

The smoothie list that I just posted has some things that really need a vitamix or other high powered blender to manage. Since I don't own one of these little beauties yet I cheat on the hard items, like carrots(I buy carrot juice) and I blanch celery, etc to get it to where I can blend a palatable smoothie.

Just thought the list was too good not to share!
Happy Green Smoothie making!
Sarah_L

Saturday, June 27, 2009, 10:51 AM

Link Correction

Sorry, messed up the link:
Here is the right link for greensmoothiechallenge --- it's .com not .org

Link

Saturday, June 27, 2009, 10:54 AM

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