Green Smoothies

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1/20/13 7:43 P

I make smoothies for breakfast several times a week but not daily. I use either one banana or some berries (frozen are fine), soy protein powder (I use the Secure meal replacement brand from HSN), ice cubes, water or soy/almond/rice/coconut milk, flax seeds, and fresh spinach (sometimes kale.)

Another good one is celery, green apple, soy protein, zucchini, green bell peppers, kale and walnut halves. Don't forget the ice cubes and some liquid.

To any of the above, add 1 or 2 peeled raw beets, or fresh pineapple chunks.

I blend together in my Ninja but that second one can be made with a good juicer - I developed that using my Champion, a very powerful juicer. I'm sure the newer ones would work, too.

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1/15/13 3:24 P

At Kroger, kale was $2.99 for 16 oz and I've been buying baby spinach for $1.99 for a 9oz bag. Neither price is a sale price.

I hadn't used kale before last week. I've been mixing it in a smoothie with 1/2 a banana and 1/3c blueberries. I also made a casserole with kale last night with pasta, ricotta cheese and chicken. It tasted pretty much like spinach when it's cooked.

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1/15/13 12:02 A

I've been hearing a lot about these green smoothies. Is there a description for the taste of these? I can't imagine mixing green veggies with fruit. Thanks

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1/7/13 8:21 P

Love my smoothies

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1/7/13 2:44 P

Hi Lisa Marie,

The deal you found is really good!

The power to the greens come in 5 oz bags, and they are $2.29 a bag.
The kale comes in 10 oz bags, but I don't have the price in front of me. . .

Best,
Janet

Edited by: PRACTICINGPEACE at: 1/7/2013 (14:44)

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1/7/13 10:42 A

Actually, chewing greens helps change the micro nutrients in these vegetables and makes them more healthy. This is why "Grandma" used to say to chew your food. The blending actually does the chewing for you better than you could do yourself. You are actually gaining by making a smoothie.

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1/6/13 1:05 P

I drink a green smoothie first thing every morning with my hard boiled eggs....I love them! Mine consists of 2 cups baby spinich, half a fresh lemon, 1/4 cup blueberries , 1 small apple and 1 tbs flax seed.Sometimes I will throw in a clementine too. sooooo good! I just bought chia seeds from GNC to alternate with the flax.

I want to check out the power greens at Trader Joes! How many oz are in a bag and how much$ are they? The best price I have found for the baby spinich is $4.29 for 16 oz

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1/5/13 11:57 P

Sure!

The mix I use is baby kale, baby spinach and baby chard. A total of 1.5 cups (or 127.5 grams) in each smoothie. I also do just plain kale or plain spinach when I am out of the mix. I use fresh since I am eating (or drinking) them raw. Kale is especially budget-friendly!

If you come up with any delicious recipes, I am interested!

Best,

Janet

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1/5/13 11:19 P

I don't have a Trader Joe's near me...can you tell me what their bag of "power greens" is? I would love to be able to create my own...

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12/30/12 11:49 P

Thanks, Gratteciella!

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12/30/12 7:23 P

As long as you are eating all parts of the vegetable, you're not losing nutrition. You do break up the fiber a smidge by blending it, but that's fairly negligible.

If you juice the greens (throw out the solids and just use the liquid), then you lose a lot of the nutritional value, but just a blender keeps those things in the smoothie.

I don't eat a lot of smoothies because I find that drinking my calories doesn't satisfy me the way that chewing them does, but if you like it, I say you are doing great!

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12/28/12 2:28 P

Hi, everyone.

I have been drinking green smoothies for breakfast for a little while now. I usually put in a bag of power greens from trader joe's, a banana, and a tbsp of flax seed. Its delicious, fast, and I can take it to work with me.

What I'm wondering is if I lose any of the nutrition of the greens by blending them and drinking them instead of eating them? (It seems a little too easy!)

Thanks in advance!

Best,
Janet

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