Green Smoothies for Breakfast – Week One

Green Smoothies for Breakfast – Week One

Green Smoothies for Breakfast – Week OneGreen Smoothies – Going for Greens

It’s been green smoothies for breakfast for us for a week now. We were inspired by the passion of our dear friends Olivia and Christopher. They’ve been drinking green smoothies daily for about two months and loving how great they feel. We left their home excited to give green smoothies a try.

Green Smoothies for Breakfast – Week OneOver the week, with my recipe-centric mind and inclination, I’ve created a basic recipe with lots of room for you to make substitutions, additions and deletions. Today’s green smoothie was the best so far with  greens and veggies outnumbering the fruit about 2:1.

In the beginning
Just starting out, most people prefer more fruit than greens in about a 3:2 ratio. We did. We used more fruit the first couple of days, thinking that too many greens would make our green smoothies too “green” to enjoy.

Fortunately (for our health) we’ve come to appreciate greener-tasting green smoothies. Perhaps not a coincidence that today, Saint Patrick’s Day, we enjoyed our greenest green smoothie of the week.

Nutrient boosters and flavor enhancers

I’ve also experimented a bit with a few nutrient boosters and flavor Green Smoothies for Breakfast – Week Oneenhancers. Early on I added a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder. Then I switched to matcha green tea powder. My current favorite nutrient booster is Dr Schulze’s Superfood Plus powder. Other possible boosters to try alone or in combination: hemp seeds, flax seeds, almond or other nut butter, coconut oil, cinnamon, cayenne, etc. 😉

This is such a fluid recipe. Play and experiment and come up with your own favorite blend. What can you add to increase the nutrients? Vary the taste? Make it thicker/thinner? Increase your energy?

A note on the health benefit of green smoothies

“An even more efficient way [other than chewing really well] to ensure you receive these needed nutrients is using a blender to purée raw, leafy greens. The blending process aids your body in the work of breaking down and assimilating nutrients. It guarantees that a higher percentage of nutrients will be absorbed into your bloodstream. Making “green smoothies” or “blended salads” is also a delicious and convenient way to pump up your consumption of greens.”
Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Eat for Health

Green Smoothies for Breakfast – Week OneGreen Smoothies

For the highest amount of available nutrients, soak the almonds (or other nuts) in water for at least 8 hours before blending. For greens I’m currently using Costco’s organic Power Greens blend of kale, chard and spinach. Do adjust the amounts and ingredients to your taste, the season and what you have in your fridge that needs to be enjoyed.

A high-speed blender works the best in creating super smooth, velvety textured green smoothies. Plus you can make a lot at a time. Place any leftover smoothie in a container with an airtight lid to limit oxidation before storing in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Note: with a regular blender, make less and blend longer. To keep your mixture from getting too hot, replace some of the water with ice cubes.

Makes 6-7 cups
Start to Finish 10 minutes                           Printer-Friendly Recipe

Ingredients

Nut and Seed Milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds soaked in ½ cup water for 5 minutes
½ cup pre-soaked whole almonds, drained
3 cups water
Green Smoothies for Breakfast – Week One2-3 Medjool dates, pitted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch Himalayan or Celtic salt
Options: cashews, hazelnuts, coconut, etc.

Nutrient boosters, flavor enhancers
1-2 tablespoons Dr Schulze Superfood Plus powder
Options: matcha, unsweetened cocoa powder, hemp seeds, flax seeds, almond or other nut butter, coconut oil, cinnamon, cayenne, etc.

Greens and Vegetables
4 or more large handfuls (4 ounces/4 packed cups) greens of choice (I use Costco’s organic mix of kale, chard and spinach)
½ avocado, peeled
1 stalk celery, cut into 1-inch chunks
Options: Chinese cabbage, watercress, arugula, romaine lettuce, cucumber, fresh ginger, fresh herbs, etc.

Fruit
1 cup fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, cut into1-inch chunks
½ -1 frozen banana, cut into 1-inch rounds
½ apple, cored, cut into 1-inch chunks
Options: berries, orange, kiwi, peach, mango, grapes, pomegranate arils, etc.

Instructions
  1. Put the soaked chia seeds with their water, the drained, soaked almonds, water, Green Smoothies for BreakfastMedjool dates, vanilla, salt and Superfood powder in the blender jar of a high-speed blender. Blend on the highest speed for 1 ½ minutes.
  2. Add the greens and prepared vegetables. Blend on the highest speed for 1 minute.
  3. Add the prepared fruit. Blend on the highest speed for 1 minute until smooth.
  4. Enjoy immediately. Or store in the refrigerator in a container with a tight-fitting lid for up to 2 days.

Printer-Friendly Recipe.

9 thoughts on “Green Smoothies for Breakfast – Week One”

  1. Thanks Janice, you’ve given me some ideas to add to the smoothies I make in the mornings — like pre-soaking my almonds (duh, why didn’t I think of that!). One question, where do you get your superfoods powder? Do you order online or is there someplace here in Bozeman that carries it?

    1. Great, Amy, that you’ll start soaking your almonds. Your body will be happier. As for the superfoods powder, I have gotten it from a gentleman in Livingston. I just wrote him to check that he’s still selling it. If yes, I’ll let you know. Otherwise online.

  2. Hi Janice,
    Long time no comment but it doesn’t mean I have not kept up with your work and your wonderful recipes!
    Thank you so much for this one. I have been making these for a while. One thing I discovered was that the large box of greens from Costco freezes very well so there is no waste. Just take out a few handfuls of the frozen greens.
    Also, notice when I add berries it turns the color and unpleasant brown. A little bit of turmeric can be added and not affect the taste. I like the addition of the nuts so I will try that tomorrow.

    1. Thank you Mitzi. Great ideas. Our local Costco doesn’t have a large box of greens–but what a great hint that they freeze well. Too bad bout the color with berries, does adding the turmeric help with the color? Plus it’s another great nutrient booster. I’ll give turmeric a try tomorrow. Remember to soak your nuts 😉

      1. Another suggestion if you don’t have Matcha. Use green tea In place of the water. I buy the big box of green tea from Costco and prepare the bags with cold water before making my smoothie.
        mitzi Lange

  3. Yea for Green – love your ideas. We start our day with a green drink everyday and have for quite a long time. Personally, I like fresh ginger in mine most of the time. Now that you have gotten us into Matcha, we use that too. Thanks Janice!

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