So, my friend April told me recently how she has been adding spinach to smoothies for her kids, and I thought I had to try it. This is the BEST thing ever. At least it is the best thing ever when you are raising Maggie Claire who does not eat ANY fresh foods. Who, while she has sampled bananas, pears and strawberries, and only in the last months has tasted oranges and apples, has never once let a raw vegetable cross her lips. (We only count cooked vegetables because I have pureed them and added them to lasagna and soups, otherwise, they would also be out.)
Yesterday, Maggie drank half of this and Elsie (who is a little young to really go for raw vegetables herself) and I finished off the other half. Did I say this is the best? Really, I love it because it assuages my guilt and worry about what they eat the rest of the day.
So, here is what I do:
1- Fill the blender half way with fresh spinach leaves (I pack them in pretty well.)
2- Add 1 orange, 1 banana, about 5 large strawberries, and about 1/2 cup of the mixed frozen berries from Costco
3- Add about 1/2 c orange juice, 8-10 ice cubes, and about 1/3 c plain yogurt (I use Greek strained yogurt when I have it on hand.)
4- Turn the blender on high and let it all mix together.
Great news: It has no sugar or sweetener.
Even better news: With the mixed berries it does not look green at all, so no balking from the kids!
One last thought: I do have a powerful kitchen aid blender which does a good job chopping up the spinach. If yours turns out chunky, it may be the blender.
One more last thought: I can't wait to pour this into my popsicle molds. Awesome summer treat!
