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Spinach and Avocado Green Smoothies

By Jen, on January 22nd, 2012%

Avocados are one of my favorite foods. They’re rich and creamy with a delicate flavor that pairs well with so many ingredients. Most people think of guacamole when looking for an avocado recipe. (For good reason…yum!) But avocados are great in other recipes like creamy salad dressings and smoothies.

Here’s a recipe for green smoothies with spinach and avocado. The spinach adds a fresh flavor and the avocado gives the smoothie a thick and creamy consistency. Sweeten as desired with your favorite natural sweetener. I used a healthy squeeze of Bee-Free Honee.

Spinach and Avocado Green Smoothies
1 1/4 cups cold water
1 cup fresh or frozen mango chunks
1 cup fresh baby spinach
1/2 medium ripe Hass avocado, peeled and pit removed
1/2 cup ice cubes
Natural sweetener to taste

Add water, mango chunks, spinach and avocado to blender container. Cover and blend until smooth. Add ice; cover and blend until smooth. Taste for sweetness. Add natural sweetener according to your taste; cover and blend to combine.

Makes 2 servings (2 3/4 cups total)

Recipe Link:
Good and Green Smoothies

Product Links:
Get Vitamix 5200 Blender with Free Shipping Code
Honee 100% All-Natural Bee-Free
The Best of Clean Eating: Over 200 Mouthwatering Recipes to Keep You Lean and Healthy

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Green Lemonade Juice

By Jen, on December 11th, 2011%


I’m a tad bit obsessed with my Vitamix blender. I put it to good use everyday making things like homemade almond milk, soups and smoothies. Lots and lots of smoothies.

Lately I’ve been using my Vitamix to create juices. I have an electric juicer, but don’t use it often because it’s difficult to clean. Washing a blender is much easier, so I’ve been juicing almost nonstop!

Green Lemonade is one of my favorite juices. It’s a refreshing mix of lemon, kale, apple, celery and ginger. I was inspired to make it after tasting Green Lemonade at a juice bar in a local co-op. Of course it’s not a sweet lemonade, but an ultra lemony juice with the freshness of celery and a spicy ginger bite. The kale gives it an intense green color.

To make the juice add all ingredients to a high speed blender and process until smooth and liquified. Then strain the mixture to release the juice. Discard the solids or find another use for them like adding to blended bean or veggie soups.

Green Lemonade Juice
1 large apple, cored
3 stalks celery
1/2 of a lemon, peeled and seeded
1 thin slice fresh ginger, peeled
1 handful fresh kale leaves, stems removed (about 1 cup)

Cut apple and celery in chunks for easier blending. Add ingredients to Vitamix blender in this order: apple, celery, lemon, ginger and kale. (It’s best to have the heavier, juicer items closer to the blades). Secure lid. Start blender at Variable 1 and turn to Variable 10; use tamper to push ingredients toward blades. Once the mixture is blending freely, turn to HIGH. Blend on HIGH about 1 minute until mixture is smooth and liquified.

Strain mixture through a fine mesh strainer to separate the solids from the juice. Makes about 2/3 cup to 1 cup juice, depending on size and moisture level of fruit and veggies.

Tip: Vary the ingredients according to your taste preferences. For a spicier version, add more ginger. For a sweeter version, add more apple. For a veggier version, add more celery and kale. You get the idea.

Recipe Links:
Cucumber Watermelon Juice
Good and Green Smoothies

Product Link:
Get Vitamix 5200 Blender with Free Shipping Code
OXO Fine Mesh Strainer

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Hot Apple Chai-der (Chai Cider)

By Jen, on November 21st, 2011%

Warm up with a mug of Hot Apple Chai-der, a mix of apple cider and chai tea.

I love apple cider, but drinking it straight can get a little too sweet for me. Diluting the cider with water cuts calories. Steeping it with spices and black tea adds flavor. I don’t add sweetener because I enjoy tart drinks. If you like a touch of sweetness use a natural sweetener like pure maple syrup or honey.

Hot Apple Chai-der (Chai Cider)
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup apple cider
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon crystallized ginger
5 whole black peppercorns
2 green cardamom pods, crushed
2 English breakfast black tea bags

In a medium saucepan combine water, apple cider, cinnamon stick, ginger, peppercorns and cardamom. Heat over medium heat until just beginning to boil. Reduce heat; simmer gently for 5 minutes. Remove cider mixture from heat. Add tea bags; steep for 3 minutes then remove tea bags. Strain cider mixture; discard spices. Serve in mugs.

Makes 2 servings (2 cups total)

Tip: Be sure to crush the cardamom pods to release the fragrant seeds.

Product Links:
The Best of Clean Eating: Over 200 Mouthwatering Recipes to Keep You Lean and Healthy
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Matcha Blueberry Smoothies

By Jen, on October 18th, 2011%

I like to keep my smoothies clean and simple. When you start with great ingredients like fresh almond milk, ripe banana and sweet blueberries you don’t need to add much else. But, a sprinkling of brilliant green matcha tea powder is a great boost. (vegan, dairy-free recipe)

Matcha Blueberry Smoothies
1 cup unsweetened almond milk or soymilk
1 medium banana, sliced
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon matcha tea powder

Add almond milk, banana, blueberries and matcha tea powder to blender container. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into 2 glasses.

Makes 2 servings (about 2 1/4 cups total)

Tip: Matcha is powdered whole leaf Japanese green tea. Adding too much matcha tea can result in a bitter flavor. Start with a small amount of matcha and adjust according to taste.

More Smoothie Recipes:
Berry Tea Smoothies
Mango Coconut Water Smoothies
Creamy Strawberry Almond Smoothies

Product Link:
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