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Apple, Mint & Dark Greens Smoothie
Energy in a glass, this delicious dark greens smoothie is great for the whole family! Slightly sweet and creamy, its packed with vegetables, protein and fruit.
It’s FREEZING here in Atlanta! Today WAS (notice the past tense: as in no longer happening lady) supposed to be our last day of winter break and though I absolutely Love, Adore, Cherish..yada, yada, yada… (insert all appropriate lovey dovey mama stuff here)… my children, I am very ready for them to return to school! But the divine snow-flurry fairies have other thoughts and schools are CLOSED tomorrow due to ‘inclement weather”! Argh! Harrumph! Drat! Is it too early to start drinking at 11 am? Nah…
What to do? They have so much energy… They can’t watch movies and play wii all day (or can they? I won’t get the mother of the year award but then who’s looking?)… I can only give them so many chores… They’ve done all their school work… If I have to hear: “Can I be done now?” one more time! … Again, Is it too early to start drinking at 11 am?
So I handed them a workout DVD and sent them off to the basement to harness their inner Zen and dangled the reward of a smoothie when they get done. It worked!! Not quite sure why, or how, or what galaxy just replaced my monkeys with kiddos excited to get their gym swagger on, but I’m not gonna ask too many questions! I’m grateful for the only racket to be the purr of my blender for at least the next 45-60 minutes. Whew!
REWARD TIME!! Not to wreck all the good they just did or induce them into a “drive me crazy” sugar high, I’m making fruit and veggie loaded smoothies instead of milkshakes. My Apple, Mint & Dark Greens Smoothie is slightly sweet, creamy, and has a garden fresh zeal that ensures you’re eating right!
A smoothie is the best way to use up extra tidbits from the fridge. You can adjust according to your tastes or what you have around. I always put my bananas in the freezer when they start to get over-ripe (skin on in a large freezer bag, so I don’t have to root around for loose bananas). Frozen ripe bananas add sweetness without adding sugar and keep things frosty. If your family wants a bit more sweetness, add a touch of honey or agave.
This recipe uses fresh mint, apples, bananas, celery, cucumber, greens, Greek yogurt, and juice. It’ll give your day zip and energy… uh-oh! What have I done?!?
This recipe uses fresh mint, apples, bananas, celery, cucumber, greens, Greek yogurt, and juice. It’ll give your day zip and energy.
Ingredients
- 3 cups dark greens (mix of spinach, baby kale, swiss chard etc)
- 2 Small Golden Delicious apples (or any apple you have handy) (cored, skin ON and cut into cubes)
- 2 stalks celery (roughly chopped)
- 2 semi-frozen over-ripe bananas ((I freeze my bananas in skins when they get too ripe))
- 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 English or Hothouse cucumber (the kind in the plastic wrap) (cut into chunks)
- 1 cup plain nonfat greek yogurt (optional)
- 1 ½ cup apple juice OR 12 oz can pear nectar
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in the blender (Vitamix or Ninja) and give a few quick pulses.
- Continue blending on high for 3 minutes or until very smooth.
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