Green Smoothies - Three Ways!

This blog is short & sweet - literally - it has a very sweet ending recipe!!  These are the recipes from last Friday's class at Whole Foods ('Raw Food 101: Green Smoothies!').  I love teaching, & I truly appreciate all who attend my classes - thank you!!

 

In honor of St. Pat's Day, I demo'ed three completely different green smoothies: one fruit & greens, one veggies & greens (soup) & one dessert - yummy!!  Pretty pictures to come later, when I make all this again at home!  :-)  In the meantime, you can check out the pics taken by Lorah during class here & Kathy's (very pretty!) picture below.  Enjoy!!

It’s Easy Being Green Smoothie (aka Kermit)

2-4 dates, pitted & soaked

1 banana, fresh or frozen

1/2 C pineapple chunks, fresh or frozen

6 cranberries, if available

4 leaves curly kale

1/4 bunch cilantro

1/4 lime, peeled

2 Tbs hemp seeds

1 Tbs flax seeds

1 Tbs chia seeds

1 C water (including date soak water)

1 C ice

Soak pitted dates in water for at least 10 minutes to soften.  Add all ingredients to high-speed blender (VitaMix) & blend until smooth.  Adjust water & ice to your desired thickness/slushiness.

Green Bandito Soup

1 small zucchini

1/3 large yellow pepper

3 stalks celery

1 garlic clove

1/4 lemon, peeled

2 handfuls baby arugula

2 handfuls baby greens (spinach, romaine, kale, etc.)

1 handful Italian parsley

1 Tbs sesame tahini

3 Tbs nutritional yeast

1/2 tsp Himalayan or Celtic sea salt

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp coriander

Pinch cayenne pepper

1-2 C water

Add all ingredients to high-speed blender (VitaMix) & blend until smooth.  Adjust water to your desired thickness (you may use slightly warm water, if desired).  Garnish with diced veggies, herbs &/or spices.

Experiment & substitute other veggies, greens, fat & spices to your taste!  Suggestions:
Veggies: cucumber, tomato, corn, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, jicama; red, orange or green bell peppers; anaheim, poblano, jalapeno, serrano or other hot peppers, sprouts

Greens: kale, collard, chard, romaine, bok choy, spinach, watercress, dandelion, mizuna

Fats: almond butter, soaked & rinsed nuts or seeds, avocado, olives, olive or seed oil

Herbs/spices: cilantro, basil, oregano, sage, rosemary, thyme, chives, leeks, onion, turmeric, ginger

Dreamy Mint Choco Chip Shake

Inspired by my recent trip to CaféGratitude in L.A., where I tasted (among many delights), “I Am Cool”

2 Tbs cashew butter

2 Tbs coconut oil

4 Tbs maple syrup

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Pinch Himalayan or Celtic sea salt

Handful fresh mint

1 tsp spirulina powder*

1 C water

2 T cacao nibs

2 C ice

Add all ingredients except cacao nibs & ice to high-speed blender (VitaMix) & blend until smooth.  Add cacao nibs & ice & blend until frothy.  Enjoy immediately & immensely!

*Note: Use any green powder you wish – spirulina, chlorella, blue-green algae, VitaMineral Green, or even a handful of greens such as spinach or kale – to increase the nutrition & pretty green hue of this shake.

Thank you, Kathy, for the beautiful picture...and for continually inspiring me & many others!

Peace, love & Kale Rocks!!

xoxo,

Kat