I need a cleanse. A big one. Physically, emotionally, and everything in between. As excited as I get for the holidays, I am almost just as happy when they end so I can start a new year fresh. I don’t like to admit that it’s been months (and then some) since I’ve done any kind if exercise. It’s not ok. At all. I keep reminding myself that I need to get moving, not only for myself, but in order to be a good role model for my kids as well. Unfortunately, 2012 was one of those years where time just seemed to get away from me.
That doesn’t mean this past year was a total loss. I did eat pretty well. Even over the holidays while the kids and I were baking (and sneaking bites from) dozens of Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Sea Salt Cookies for their teachers, we managed to get in some healthy, delicious smoothies. And thank heavens for that since we really needed something to counterbalance the daily doses of sugar, white flour, and fat.
My kids have been happily binging on smoothies lately — helping me make them and tossing everything but the kitchen sink into the blender. I’ve been buying lots of fresh greens like spinach and kale, and tons of different frozen fruit for them to mix and match all sorts of flavors. I’m particularly psyched that they’ve been taking the lead in the recipe creation department because mommy has needed some new ideas.
You might think that little ones would be thrown by the idea of combining fruits and green veggies to make a smoothie, but I’m finding my kids experience to be the complete opposite. To them it seems totally natural (and when you think about it, why shouldn’t it?). They get a thrill out of coming up with new combinations every day, like this Berry Green Smoothie. If anyone in your family is spinach averse, they’ll never detect it in today’s recipe, a thick purple shake which tastes of sweet bananas and berries.
My resolutions this year (I usually dread making them, but I need a couple this year), are to commit daily to drinking smoothies made solely from foods I know are good for my body, and getting off my tushy for at least 30 minutes a day to exercise.
Happy 2013!
Berry Green Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed spinach
- 2 cups frozen mixed berries
- 1 1/4 cups coconut water
- 1 large banana, mashed
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth.
[…] I know it’s cold out, but I still love a good healthy smoothie […]
I have heard that mango is a good thickener replacement for banana in smoothies.
I am also not a fan of bananas, and lately I have been using ripe pear as a replacement. It blends super well and adds a ton of sweetness! Try it out! Also, if a recipe calls for frozen banana, I throw in a few frozen cauliflowerettes as well as the pear. It works like a charm and with berries in there you can’t even taste it!
The banana adds flavor and sweetness. You could try using a natural/sugar-free juice, or some other sweet fruit like kiwi or apple!
Hi there! I am banana averse (I cannot stand them and can taste them in ANYTHING). Do you have a suggestion on a good fruit or other healthy addition that can act as a thickener and/or flavor booster?
I use a blender! These are my favorites: http://astore.amazon.com/weelicious-20/detail/B000CSRKIA KitchenAid
and Vitamix! http://astore.amazon.com/weelicious-20/detail/B004VMAC8I
Lots delish! Do you use a juicer? If so, which one?
You can! You could also use regular water or a sugar free/natural fruit juice!
Hi, I don’t like coconut water, could you substitute skim milk?
Thanks
Yum. We have smoothies like this almost every morning. I also use organic carrot juice with the coconut water and add some ground flax seed along with 1/2 an avocado.
I use coconut water! It comes in little individual boxes like this: http://www.onedrinks.com/
Do you add the coconut pulp or strain it?
I’m gonna turn winter into summer by eating ice cream and drinking smoothies. I wil start off with this. Great recipe!
Fresh spinach. Pack the leaves into the measuring cup!
Hi, can you tell me what you mean by ‘packed spinach’ please. Do you mean fresh spinach washed & packed in bags, canned spinach or frozen ?
I Received a vitamix fOr Christmas and we’ve been doing the same with our two boys ages 2 and 4. They love to get right up there and throw everything in it. Kale, carrots, pineapple, pear, kiwi, banana, strawberries, blueberries. We all love drinking them and our 4 year old drinks about three glasses in a sitting. By the way- I haven’t worked out since summer. There is no time! I tell myself that I will workout everyday once they are both in school. In the mean time we’ll just get super healthy on smoothies. Great post!