blend it up

I've had a VitaMix for most of my married life.  My in-laws offered us the choice of said blender or a karaoke machine for Christmas, and I've been happy with our choice ever since :)  It really is one of my most prized possessions... I even grabbed my blender alongside precious family photos during a fire evacuation in CA.  It's my other baby, and I use it all the time.  I make sure to bring it to any class I teach; it gets the job done!

Now, if you're in the market for a high-end blender, I would definitely recommend a VitaMix or the Blendtec.  Check out the reviews at Got Greens? and Blend Happy for a side-by-side comparison.  I prefer the VitaMix because it's straight forward.  I can control my blending with the flip of a switch, or the turn of a dial.  I don't care for high-tech buttons or display screens, or preset blending options.  And I like using the tamper for making frozen yogurt.  Besides, VitaMix has been around longer (since the 1940's).  It's a solid, well built machine.  It's also the machine used by Starbucks, Jamba Juice and Food Network's Iron Chef.  And it's the machine for me :)

If you're serious about raw/wholefood blending, then you need a serious blender.  Otherwise you'll find yourself forever chopping, peeling, coring and hulling.  And you'll probably have issues with leaking, overheating, not-so-smooth smoothies, etc.  You'd be better off putting your money toward something that'll really blend.  Your health, and the health of your family, is definitely worth it.  *B

Slightly Nutty Green Drink

My green drinks all have one thing in common: their hue.  But each one has a very distinct flavor all their own...  This one is smooth and nutty, and very satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1 c. rice milk
• 1 T. almond butter
• 2 handfuls baby spinach, frozen
• 1 banana, frozen

Directions:

1. Place ingredients in order as listed in a blender.  Blend on high until super smooth.  If you don't have frozen spinach or banana, then throw in a couple of ice cubes.  Serve cold.

I love to drink this one sometime between lunch and dinner, right when those afternoon munchies hit!  It always hits the spot.  *B

Energizing Green Drink

Growing up my mom would occasionally make us a green drink with parsley and spinach.  I loved them!  But she never had a specific recipe (she never does).  So I came up with my own... In college, my friends/roommates were seriously disturbed with my blended beverages, and none were brave enough to try them.  I think they might have attempted an intervention of sorts, they were that worried about me.  During my final year at school, I made a green drink as part of a presentation for my classmates.  Most tried it, and several liked it.  Take that, roommates!  And thank you mom for raising me proper :) 

Ingredients:

• 2 c. pineapple juice
• 1 T. chia seeds (opt)
• 1 handful fresh parsley, trimmed
• 1 handful baby spinach, frozen
• 1 tiny cucumber, peeled & frozen (about 4 inches)
• 1 celery stalk, frozen

Directions:

1. Place ingredients in order as listed in a blender.  Blend on high until super smooth.  If you don't have frozen veggies, then throw in a couple of ice cubes.  Serve cold.

The pineapple juice makes for a really sweet drink, but balances nicely with the rest of the ingredients.  If you don't like parsley (Mandi), then replace it with another handful of spinach.   If you don't like cucumbers, substitute zucchini.  If it's too sweet for you, try it with half juice and half water.  Just make it work for you... Because if you're feeling sluggish and need a little fresh pick me up, this oughta do it!  *B

Super (Green) Smoothie

This green drink is the husband's favorite, and I don't blame him!  It's sweet and satisfying, and full of green goodness :)

Ingredients:

• 1 c. rice milk
• 4 oz. vanilla yogurt
• 1 T. natural peanut butter
• 2 handfuls of spinach, frozen
• 1 frozen banana

Directions:

1. Place ingredients in order as listed in a blender.  Blend on high until super smooth.  If you don't have frozen bananas or spinach, then throw in a couple of ice cubes.  Serve cold.

PS - the kids love it, too.  *B

Strawberry Smoothies

Mmm, strawberries.  No matter how they're made, or what they're in, I love them.  Especially au naturel.  Did you know that strawberries help thin the blood?  True story.  After a long Winter of meat and starches (foods your body craves/needs in the cold), strawberries really do make the perfect Spring treat and help you get ready for those long (hot) Summer months...  And here in the AZ, we're ready for smoothies!  This sweet and sneaky smoothie not only has fruit, but also has veggies in it.  Which makes it perfect ;)

Ingredients:

• 1 c. apple juice
• 1 carrot
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 frozen banana
• handful of frozen strawberries

Directions:

1. Place ingredients in order as listed in a blender.  Blend on high until super smooth.  If you don't have frozen bananas or strawberries, then throw in a couple of ice cubes.  Serve cold.

I usually end up watering this down, after I've poured it into the kids' cups.  It thins out the smoothie into more of a crafty juice...  So add as much or as little water as you'd like!  Or leave it thick and icy.  Either way, it's yummy AND healthy.  The kids love it, naturally.  *B

My Go-To Green Drink

I will have you know that I've been drinking green drinks since my teens (many thanks to my mother), and I've been making them since college.   Apparently it's all the rage nowadays, as even Jamba Juice is making veggie smoothies.  But, I will have you know that mine taste WAY better!  Seriously, my coworker (who is always such a willing guinea pig) told me that she tried one that had bell peppers in it.  Bell peppers?!?! Seriously.  Anyway, she told them theirs are yucky and mine are yummy.  She literally told them that mine are better!  Because they are.  True story.

Ingredients:

• 1 c. apple juice
• 1/2 c. water
• 1 T. chia seeds (opt)
• 1 carrot
• 2 handfuls of baby spinach, frozen
• 1 frozen banana

Directions:

1. Place ingredients in order as listed in a blender.  Blend on high until super smooth.  If you don't have frozen bananas or spinach, then throw in a couple of ice cubes.  Serve cold.

I have a few more versions up my sleeve, so stay tuned!  But this particular recipe is the best for converting vegetable haters to the green side.  Honestly, my kids (and meat obsessed husband) love them.  No joke, they request them!  They really do crave them...  And some most days it is the only way I can get anything even remotely green into their picky little (big) mouths.  I make it, and they drink down it.  It keeps them healthy (and regular), and even makes them smile.  And there's nothing better than a green smile.  *B

Blueberry Smoothies

This sweet drink is FULL of antioxidants and potassium.  So good, and so good for you!  Just the way I like 'em ;)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c. grape juice
• 1/2 c. water
• 1 frozen banana
• 4 handfuls frozen blueberries
• 1 handful of spinach (opt)

Directions:

1. Combine grape juice and water in a blender.  Add the rest of the ingredients and blend.

Tip: if you're a part-time lover and a full-time friend of fresh spinach, you can extend its shelf life by freezing it raw!  I like to buy a bunch or two of spinach, trim off the stems and give them a good rinse.  I end up rinsing them three times to get all the sand and grit off of them...  You can buy fresh, prepped spinach in a bag, too.  Then just stick as much as you can into a large ziplock bag and pop those green beauties in the freezer.  Break off handfuls when you need them (great for smoothies or soup).  So, go green and freeze those leaves!  *B

Watermelon Smoothies

These might be more of a slushie than a smoothie... is there a difference?  I know Summer is on its way out in most places, but still it lingers on in AZ!  So whether you're just suffering in surviving the Valley of the Sun, experiencing a random heatwave elsewhere, or making plans for your next poolside BBQ, keep this sweet chiller in mind.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c. raspberry lemonade
• 1/2 c. water
• 2 handfuls of frozen strawberries
• 4 handfuls of frozen cubed watermelon

Directions:

1. Combine lemonade and water in a blender.  Add strawberries and watermelon and blend.

Tip:  I like buying the little, round watermelons.  The ones that are the size of other melons.  They tend to be sweeter.  And they're just the right size for my little family.  BUT, if you plan on taking this to a party, get a normal watermelon and serve your chilled concoction inside a scooped out watermelon bowl!  *B

Breakfast Smoothies

Soooo easy and soooo good for you! A great quick breakfast or snack on its own, but also great alongside a good muffin or quiche -or all three for a true power-house bfast!

Ingredients:

• 1 c. milk, almond/rice
• 1 c. vanilla yogurt
• 1 banana
  
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (opt)
  
• 2 handfuls of frozen strawberries
  

Directions:

1. Blend milk with protein powder, yogurt and banana until smooth.
2. Add frozen strawberries and blend until smooth. Slurrrrrp!

You might want to try sneaking some veggies in, too. Try a handful of baby carrots or raw spinach; whatever you can get away with, do it! *B

crafty juice

Now I realize this may not work for some of the older picky kids/adults. But I can still get away with it with my son and I plan on raising him on this stuff. In fact, any time I get my blender out, he starts dancing around and singing the juice song! Awesome :)

Ingredients:

• Uh, anything in the fridge/freezer/pantry; such as carrots, spinach, parsley, celery, zucchini, squash, apples, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and almost any other fruit in there really... although oranges tend to it pulpy
• juice concentrate (pineapple, orange, grape, apple)
  

Directions:

• Don't forget to pre-wash your produce! This is a raw fruit/veggie juice. We want to get rid of those nasty pesticides and waxes. But if you happen to have some steamed fruit/veggie puree sitting around, or cans of fruit (no sugar please), then by all means, throw those in too!
• Now there are a couple of ways to do this. If you want a strict green drink then make up half a can of pineapple juice and blend it with an entire spinach bunch, parsley bunch, and two ribs of celery. Blend until smooth (it will get frothy). Add more water/juice if it's too thick.
• The other version of this is to throw everything you can fit into your blender, add a cup of water and blend till smooth. Then add a scoop or two of frozen juice concentrate of your choice (I like grape).
  

NOTE: if you use anything green, it will most likely be green or brown (unless you did a breakfast drink with frozen strawberries and spinach). Like I said, my son expects it to be this color and it does not in the least bit deter him from sucking it down. Although the little boy I tend is not as familiar with it but happily drinks it, too. It's like if there's even the slightest hint of it being sweet and you call it juice, they'll drink it. Awesome. Also, if it sits in the fridge for a few days, it tends to get thick real fast. I end up just watering it down with water each time I pour it into a cup...

Protein Shake(s)

I make these for my son every morning and he absolutely LOVES them. Who knew? Anyway, this is a great way to sneak some more protein into your diet. And you can mix up the flavors every day so as not to get monotonous. It just depends on what fruit and protein powders* you choose. So you could have a peach shake, a tropical shake, a chocolate/peanut butter, etc. The possibilities and health benefits are endless here! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. vanilla rice milk
• 1/3 c. plain yogurt
• 3 oz. tofu (1 large spoonful)
• 1 ripe banana
• handful of frozen berries/fruit

Directions:
1. Blend rice milk (or dairy of choice) with yogurt and tofu.
2. Add fruit and turn up the juice (of the machine that is).
3. Serve cold, with a straw of course! And be careful, because this will stain if let to its own devise.

PS- I make *Brad's pretty much the same: increase rice milk to 1 c. and add 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (and omit banana).

Hot Minty Malts

Another new and exciting recipe! I cannot wait for the holiday meals I have planned! Yummy! And they're so fun, it's sure to make the holidays special! Yay for holidays and all that they embody!

Ingredients:

• 6 chocolate-covered, cream-filled mint patties
• 5 c. milk
• 1/2 c. chocolate malted milk powder
• 1 t. vanilla
• whipped cream

Directions:
1. In crock-pot, combine mint patties with milk, malt powder and vanilla.
2. Heat on low for 2 hours.
3. Beat with mixer until frothy.
4. Pour into cups and top with whipped cream (preferably fresh).
5. Serve with Pumpkin Spiced Pancakes for breakfast. What a treat, eh?!