Spinach

Tastes of Thanksgiving Green Smoothie

So last week, I had my blender cup washed after making a smoothie.  The Wee One and the Imaginative One put away the dishes after the dishwasher was finished.  Somehow my blades got put into silverware/ utensil drawer (double drawer) and the band that held the blade was missing.  I had been craving a smoothie but couldn’t make one because of the missing piece.  😦

Today the Wee One found the piece in our cereal/ plastic ware cabinet so I decided to make the smoothie I had been craving.  I had bought some fresh cranberries today so I decided to put them in the smoothie.  Yum!!!  Since I didn’t put any sugar in the smoothie, it turned out tart but that’s okay with me.  If you make this, you may want to put some type of sweetener in it if you don’t like tart flavors.

This smoothie is called tastes of Thanksgiving green smoothie because I love eating cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving and the flavors of this smoothie remind me of cranberry sauce.

 

Tastes of Thanksgiving Green Smoothie

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Stars of the recipe:

  • 1/4 c. fresh cranberries, washed
  • 1/4 c. frozen strawberries
  • 2 c. greens (I used power greens – kale, spinach, and Swiss chard.)
  • 1/2 c. orange juice
  • water if you need more liquids (add a little at a time)
  • optional:  1 Tbsp. your favorite sweetener (more or less depending on your taste buds.)

Steps:

  1. Add all the ingredients to your blender cup.
  2. Blend together on the smoothie setting until blended together.
  3. Pour into a cup.
  4. Enjoy!

 

Printable Recipe

 

 

Mason Jar Salad

I’ve seen this idea floating around but had never tried to it. I always have issues with figuring out what I want to eat for lunch. Even though I love salads, my salads for lunch are often lacking. So this week I decided to try this.

In a quart size Mason jar, I put dressing, shredded carrots, broccoli slaw, celery, bell peppers, tomatoes, raisin, dried cranberry, almond pieces, kale, spinach, and Swiss chard. As I get ready for school, I also pack some bacon bits and Feta cheese to top the salad. This past weekend, I got myself a plate to stay in my room so when I dump the salad onto the plate, the dressing distributes over the salad.

I made them last Saturday and ate the last one yesterday. A few pieces were thrown away but the majority was still yummy!20130831-071505.jpg

Stars of the recipe:

  • Quart sized Mason jar
  • Your favorite dressing (2-3 Tbsp.)
  • Harder skin veggies (celery, carrots, etc. . .) – cut into bite sized pieces
  • Softer skin veggies (tomatoes, bell peppers, etc. . .)  – cut into bite sized pieces
  • Favorite nuts and/or dried fruit like cranberries or raisins
  • Lettuce or greens

Steps:

  1. Put the dressing in the Mason jar.
  2. Next you place the harder skinned veggies. (These can stand being next to the dressing for an extended amount of time.)
  3. Place the softer skinned veggies next.
  4. Then you would put the nuts and/or dried fruit.
  5. Finally pack in the greens/lettuce making sure it’s packed to the top.
  6. Screw in the lid tightly.
  7. Place in the fridge making sure not to tilt the jar.
  8. When it’s time to eat, dump the salad on a dinner sized plate.
  9. Place any other toppings on top.
  10. Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

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Key Lime Smoothie (GF, DF)

One of my favorite smoothies at Tropical Smoothie is the Blimey Limey. It has strawberries, limes, oranges, and pineapples. I love the tang of the limes in the drink. So when I found a recipe for a smoothie that used limes, I was had to try it out. Delicious!

After drinking it, I was super energized. In fact one of my students mentioned I was hyper. I don’t know if it was from the smoothie or from the two cups of coffee I had that morning. (Didn’t sleep well the night before.)

Key Lime Smoothie

Healthful Pursuit

Stars of the recipe:

  • 2 tbsp. key lime juice (about 4 limes) – I microwaved mine for about 10 secs. to maximize the amount of juice.
  • 1 tsp. key lime zest
  • 1 c. unsweetened non-dairy milk
  • 1 ripe frozen banana
  • 1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract (I omitted this because I used vanilla almond coconut milk.)
  • 1 tbsp. stevia
  • 1 tbsp. sunflower butter
  • 2 c. baby spinach
  • 4 ice cubes
  • crushed graham cracker pieces (optional) – Leave off if gluten free or use a gluten free graham cracker.
  • Cool Whip or something similar (optional) – Leave off if dairy free or use coconut cream instead.

Steps:

  1. Place in your blender in the order of the ingredients listed, blend until smooth.
  2. Top with crushed graham crackers and Cool Whip, if desired.
  3. Enjoy!

This made 2 smoothies for me.

Printable Recipe

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Someone asked me what you could use instead of bananas.  I found this link for other ingredients you can use instead of bananas.

 

Apple Jack Smoothie (GF, DF, Paleo)

Smoothies are quick and delicious. They can be healthy depending on the ingredients in the smoothie.

This smoothie reminds you of Apple Jack cereal without all the sugar.

Apple Jack Smoothie

Happy Herbivore

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Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 c. Unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 c. Banana, frozen (Mine was not frozen. The smoothie was just more liquidity.)
  • 1 c. Fresh spinach
  • 1/2 Apple, diced
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 date (for sweetness – I left it out of mine and it was okay.)

Steps:

  1. Place in blender.
  2. Blend it until smooth.
  3. Drink and enjoy!

Printable Recipe

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St. Patty’s Smoothie (GF, DF)

Yum! And healthy are 2 words to describe this smoothie.  Since I was going to be making the boys homemade “Shamrock” shakes, I made myself one of these instead.

This is another easy recipe to put together.  This recipe makes four servings.  I put the other three servings in the freezer so I can enjoy them later.  (They are already portioned out so all I have to do is pull it out of the freezer, thaw it out, pour it into a cup, and then enjoy.)

St. Patty’s Smoothie

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1.5 c. of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 2 bananas
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1 tsp. peppermint extract
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 c. chocolate chips

Steps:

  1. Place all the ingredients except for the chocolate chips in the blender.
  2. Blend until smoothie.
  3. Add the chocolate chips.
  4. Blend until the chips have been combined.
  5. Pour a fourth of it in a cup.  Divide the rest into 3 quart sized bags that have been labeled.  Place those 3 bags in the freezer for later.
  6. Enjoy the smoothie in the cup!

Printable Recipe

Power Up Green Smoothie

During the holiday season, I participated in a group called the Healthy Elves (now Healthy Self).  I tried many new things.  One of the new things I tried was green smoothies.  I didn’t know what I was  missing because they are delicious and healthy.

This is my basic “recipe” or method to make them.  You can change the smoothie up by adding different fruits or changing up the fruits depending on your likes and dislikes.

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Power Up Green Smoothie

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 c. baby spinach
  • 1/2 c. frozen strawberries
  • 1/2 c. almond milk (I like vanilla unsweetened almond coconut.)
  • 1 kiwi peeled and cut into pieces (I get rid of the middle part.)
  • 1/2 – 1 Tbsp. chia seeds

Directions:

  1. Place spinach, strawberries, almond milk, and chia seeds in a blender cup or blender.  
  2. Blend until smooth.
  3. Add the kiwi.
  4. Blend until smooth.
  5. Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

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Spinach and pear salad

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This is an easy salad to serve on the side.  It’s full of flavor!

Spinach and Pear Salad

Stars of the recipe:  (Serves 1)

  • 1 c. spinach or spring mix
  • 1/4 pear, diced into big pieces
  • 1 Tbsp. feta cheese
  • 1 Tbsp. dried cranberries, optional
  • 1 Tbsp. walnut pieces, optional

Stars of the dressing: (Makes enough for 2 salads)

  • 1/4 tsp. garlic
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil

Steps:

  1. Place spinach or spring mix on a plate or bowl.
  2. Top with pear and sprinkle with dried cranberries, feta, and walnut pieces.
  3. Combine the dressing with a whisk or in a blender.
  4. Drizzle the dressing over each salad.
  5. Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

Wilted Spinach

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My hubby does not like raw spinach or lettuce. He calls them rabbit food. I’ve gradually started having him actually like eating cooked spinach. This recipe is one of the ways.

It’s a simple side dish and is quite tasty.

Wilted Spinach

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2-4 c. baby spinach
  • 1 clove of garlic (more if you like garlic) or 1-2 Tbsp. minced garlic

Steps:

  1. Heat a skillet on medium heat.
  2. Add the extra virgin olive oil and garlic. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
  3. Add the spinach and cook until it’s wilted. (It only takes a few minutes.)
  4. Enjoy!

Printable Recipe