Tootin' the Green Horn

I wasn’t planning to post a tutorial on green smoothies. My plan was just to share it as a simple pleasure, but then two things happened.

First, a few of you asked.

And second,

I woke up this morning with so much energy after better night's sleep than I've had in a while. 

Seriously.  The Great Smoothie Miracle happens that quickly. I always forget how good it feels on the first day of smoothie season. This sort of begs the question why I hiberate for the winter without them? Winter is probably the time that I need the energy the most.

Someone remind me that I said that in October.

So anyway, for those who got past the ewww factor of liquid spinach for breakfast and are interested, here are a few of the things you can expect from this health and beauty makeover.

You will feel...

More energy and a clearer head.

Less hungry, especially for sweets and snacky food.

A craving for more green.

Really, you will. Don't ask me why. I'm not the doctor; I'm just the reporter.  

You will notice…

A huge difference in your skin.

Trust me on this. It only takes about a weekend to see results. What cream works that quickly? None, I tell  you. (And Sharon Kirby, if you want to slather it on your skin, go ahead. It's the stuff spa facials are made of, after all. If it turns you into Shrek, however, don't blame me.)

Stronger and faster growing fingernails.

Healthier hair
Weight loss (unless you insist on a green smoothie with a bagel chaser...)

Improved sleep (unless you live with a buzz saw )

And, um.... a healthier digestive system. Let's just leave it at that.

Here's how I make mine:

 Keep bananas in the freezer.
Freezing them really makes a difference.
I usually chop mine and flash freeze for about an hour before storing them.

 Start with about a cup of fresh or canned fruit.
(Not the bananas...)
It can be any yellow or green kind you like or a combination.

I say canned because my favorite is pineapple, and fresh pineapple is expensive around here. I usually buy one of those huge cans of pineapple (in juice) and keep it in a container in the refrigerator.

Blend it up until smooth.
It should not look like this

If it does, add splashes of juice until it looks like this

It probably goes without saying that you want to use juice with no sugars or additives, but I’ll say it anyway.

Then add a big handful of greens (spinach, collards, kale...)

Add it gradually by pulsing.

Then, blend.

Now add frozen bananas.

The freezing intensifies the sweetness. (They’re really good for just a quick nibble when you want something sweet, too.) I usually put between ½ to 1 whole banana. Basically just throw in a palm full of slices. 

And whirl again...

Then add about 2 teaspoons of honey or sweetener.

I used to use Splenda here,
but GNEE at Singing with Birds has introduced me to this healthier option.

At this point, you can sample it and add anything else you might like to doctor it up like teaspoons of preserves or marmalade or more fruit.

 Then add some ice cubes
until it is the thickness you want.

It should pour like a milk shake.

And ta da!

This is really enough for two, but lucky me… I’m home alone.

It will actually keep in the fridge for up to two days. They say you can just give it a quick shake the next day. I've never tried that since I lack the self-control to keep a smoothie overnight.

I'm going to try today.

And that's it.
Really, try it.

As for me, I'm taking my well rested, energetic, younger looking, smoothie self on a Great Pink Adventure to what is dubbed the Pinkest Party on Earth.

I'll be back later to yak all about it.