Green Smoothies - A Purist's Perspective

Whenever I start teaching at a new locale, my inaugural class is “Raw Foods 101″ – teaching the basics of the raw foods/raw fusion lifestyle with demo’s of delectable green smoothies and scrumptious salads.

It’s always very uplifting for me to get enthusiastic feedback from participants on how they are integrating green smoothies into their lifestyles and how their families are also enjoying them. Often they share their favorite recipes with me, but invariably their concoctions contain ingredients that I would not recommend.

I admit to being a purist on green smoothies: While experimenting from time to time with adding some nuts, nut milk, protein powders, dairy etc. is perfectly okay – hey, variety IS the spice of life, after all — I am extremely loyal to Victoria Boutenko’s (Green for Life) marvelous creation and believe that the formula works, as is

Here’s the perfect formula for a green smoothie:

40% Greens (spinach, chard, collard, kale, lettuce, sprouts, edible weeds, etc.) placed in the blender first, closest to the blades +

60% fruit of your choice or combination of them (of course you can always have one ALL green) +

about 2 inches of filtered water +

Ice – they always taste better and go done more smoothly when nice and cold

Tip: adding 1/2 to 1 banana or some mint leaves does wonders for camoflauging the “green” taste

Blend and enjoy!

Options: If you need to sweeten it up a bit, some stevia, xylitol (birch-derived is best), honey, maple syrup or even a few dates.

Occasionally I add some Superfoods (chia gel, maca, mesquite, hempseeds, goji, acai or goldenberries) if the smoothie is going to be my sole food intake for several hours. (I’ll be doing lots of posts on Superfoods soon!)

What I don’t recommend adding to your green smoothie:

Protein powders, nut milks, yogurt, dairy milk, oils, nuts (other than hemp seeds, occasionally)

None of those items are necessary! There is plenty of protein in the greens, so no need to add any protein powders, vegan or otherwise. Fats don’t mix well with the greens and fruits – those would make for poor food combining, thus cancelling out some of the benefits of the smoothie.

About once a week I make an absolutely sinful Superfoods Shake – those have protein powders, nut milks and loads of superfoods. And I will share that recipe very soon.

Until then, below are 2 green smoothie recipes that are always a hit in my classes, dinners or workshops. For more information on the amazing benefits of green smoothies and lots of “creative green-ing” tips, see Volume I of Raw Fusion: Better Living Through Living Foods.
THESE SMOOTHIE RECIPES BELOW ARE VERY APPEALING TO KIDS!

RASPBERRY RAZZLE DAZZLE

Ingredients: 1/2 bunch of swiss chard, 1 apple, 3/4rncup fresh or frozen raspberries, 1 banana, 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, filtered water, ice (optional)

Directions: Place washed greens first in blender or Vitamix, cut apple, discarding the seeds, add the rest of the ingredients and add about 2 inches of water. If you like it cold, add some ice. Blend until smooth and add sweetener, if needed.

Note: Because of the raspberries, the coloring on this blend comes up more of a brownish red. Most of your smoothies will be quite green. To get kids past the “ick” factor either put the drink in a covered sippy cup or tell them that the green makes it some kind of “monster mush” with special powers. They will love green smoothies if you add bananas or mint!

TROPICAL TREASURES SLUSHIE

1 bunch of cilantro – use mainly the leaves

1 cup of pineapple

1/2 cup of strawberries

1/4 cup of water and lots of ice.

BLEND AND BLISS OUT!