Being stuck at home after a concussion is no fun, but to make things even worse (in my opinion), my doctor said I really have to up my vegetable intake. I’m no kale-hugging-paleo-chick, but I’ve always made an effort to eat some dark green things every day. Faced with the reality of doubling what I’m eating to help my brain heal meant I was going to have to get creative, and maybe even a little sneaky.
I started experimenting with green smoothies, but a lot of the ingredients are things I just don’t normally keep in my kitchen. Like Aloe Vera juice. Really? If you’re the kind of person who keeps that as a staple, this blog probably isn’t for you – unless you’re looking desperately for kid friendly green smoothie recipes that are lactose free and maybe even vegan. With that, I can help.
As I’ve been experimenting my way through blenders of green, questionably edible things with fancy ingredients, I started making simpler versions – green smoothies I would actually eat (I’m a very picky eater with a lot of strange food allergens).
Here is a list of what I consider to be a “staple” for my smoothies:
- Fresh baby spinach
- Fresh bananas
- Frozen Strawberries
- Ice Cubes
- Unfilterd Apple Juice
- Fresh Orange Juice (get it from the refrigerated section at the grocery store – the others tend to be fake orange juice)
- Single Serving Cups of Mandarin Oranges
- Canned Pineapple in 100% Juice
Beyond those basics, here is what I like to have on hand to “mix it up” once in a while:
- Frozen Mango (or the tropical frozen mix from CostCo)
- Frozen Raspberries (or the triple berry frozen mix from CostCo)
- Ocean Spray Blackberry, Cranberry, Blueberry Juice
- Canned Apricots
After that, I have a few additives I like to use as green smoothie boosters, but these are completely optional:
- Local Bee Pollen (supposed to help with allergies)
- Organic Flax Seed Sprouted Powder
(‘superfood’ properties with Omega fatty acids and other good things)
- Green Foods Wheat Grass Shot Powder
(this is the ‘sneaky’ part of my green smoothies to get all the green stuff I can fit into a blender)
Here are my first two easy, edible green smoothies that are kid friendly, vegan friendly (just take out the bee pollen) and lactose free. And did I also mention they taste good?!?
Berry Green Smoothie Recipe
Basic Green Smoothie Recipe