Going Green Smoothie

I've been wanting to make a green smoothie for a long time.  This one uses spinach, but I'm anxious to try kale.  If a green smoothie scares your children, think of a fun name like "Frog Nog!"  Also, simply by adding blueberries it will be purple.

I don't have much of a sweet tooth and that includes fruits.  I certainly get all the vegetables that are recommended and then some, but fruit is just not on my list except in the case of smoothies.  I'm still experimenting with the Vitamix, but a huge plus is that you can use the entire fruit, seeds and stems included.  We are told that you should always eat a piece of fruit versus simply drinking the juice.  These blenders give you the nutrition, fiber, and flavor.

I have used an entire apple and a pineapple core.  It blends it completely smooth.  This recipe calls for using a fresh pineapple with the core, but if you are using a standard blender, you'll want to leave the core out.  Or use canned pineapple chunks.

As with just about any smoothie, use what you have on hand: berries, bananas (no peel!), cucumbers, greens, citrus (no rind there, please.....too bitter), just about anything in the produce aisle.  And while this recipe calls for 1/2 cup water, I would use a bit of fruit juice for a tad more nutrition.

GOING GREEN SMOOTHIE (makes 2 3/4 cups)

1/2 cup (120 ml) water
1 cup (150 g) green grapes
1/2 cup (75 g) fresh pineapple chunks, core included
1/2 medium banana, peeled
2 cups (60 g) fresh spinach, lightly packed
1/2 cup (120 ml) ice cubes

Place all ingredients into the container in the order listed and secure lid.

Select low speed.

Turn machine on and then switch to high speed.

Blend for 45 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.

Recipe Source: Vitamix Creations Cookbook, p. 36