Going Green

You know those nasty green drinks you see health freaks carrying around? You know what I'm talking about, they're usually olive green or brown, kind of lumpy, and have a reputation for tasting like freshly pureed dirt? Well, these disturbing creations are called Green Smoothies. A green smoothie is basically a normal smoothie but with a bunch of leafy greens shoved into the blender along with all of the fruit. So, why do these drinks have such a horrible reputation? And why do people subject themselves to this tastebud torture?

First or all, let's  talk about why people drink this green sludge. Green smoothies have all sorts of great health benefits. Every day we are supposed to eat 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables each day. It doesn't sound like a lot of fruits and vegetables but when you factor into consideration our busy lifestyles, it is a lot more difficult to get the recommended servings each day. The green smoothie is filled with vitamins such as A and C as well as some others depending on the fruits and vegetables one chooses to put in the smoothie. Green smoothies also have a lot of fiber in them, which makes the green smoothie a better choice than a fresh fruit and vegetable juice because the whole fruit is not used when making juice. Green smoothies use the whole fruit (not including pits or skins from fruits such as mangoes and avocados). Over all, green smoothies are a wonderful way to get full servings of  fruits and vegetables without even noticing it.

So, why do green smoothies have such a bad reputation? Well, people give green smoothies such a bad reputation because green smoothies are believed to taste horrible! In truth, if done properly, green smoothies can taste just as amazing as a normal smoothie. If you put the right ratio of fruits to vegetables and use enough liquid, the smoothie may not even be green (or blow) and it will even be SMOOTH, the way a smoothie should be! Green smoothies are a wonderful way to feed kids their fruits and veggies too.

 

Now that you know all about these wonderful creations, here are some tips to make an awesome green smoothie! Enjoy and stay healthy!

1. Blend the greens with the liquids before blending with the fruit and other ingredients.

2. Use Greek Yogurt to make the smoothie creamy with a pack of protein.

3. Use one or two frozen veggies so the smoothie will be nice and cold!

4. Add chia, flax, or hemp seeds for extra nutrition.

5. Do the prep work for your smoothies and store individual servings in mason jars or plastic baggies for smoothies on the go. Make sure to keep your prepped fruits and veggies refrigerated!