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Thread: Green Smoothies & Juices

  1. #1
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Green Smoothies & Juices

    soooo good for you - anyone else do them?

    today for breakfast, green smoothie;

    banana, nectarine, 1/2 mango, 4 leaves romaine lettuce

    maybe you have some tried & tested recipes or combinations?

  2. #2

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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Pineapple
    fuji apple, sliced, peel still on
    asian pear, sliced, peel still on
    frozen strawberries
    frozen blueberries
    two large handfuls of kale
    1/4 lemon, peel still on

    I usually have to blend the unfrozen stuff first (minus the kale) then blend in the strawberries, then the kale, then the blueberries. The blueberries are mainly to hide the color from my kids. lol

    YUM!

  3. #3
    BlackCats
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    I have to ask can you taste the kale/lettuce in these smoothies? (honestly)

    Also is it smoothie makers or juicers you use? Juicers are supposed to extract the nutrients more effectively aren't they?

    I just cannot imagine drinking veggie juice cold! (okay - sipping hot veggie juice in a mug because that would be like soup) but not cold!

  4. #4
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    i guess you could literally just warm slightly though as with any raw uncooking, heat at a certain temp will start to affect the nutrients in the raw stuffs.

    i tend to juice the kale if i use it, in with maybe 2 green apples, a stick of celery or some cue and some root ginger - i find the apples and ginger mask up the strong taste of the kale - i don't taste the lettuce in juices. spinach is good in them too and herbs especially parsley.

    with smoothies, i tend not to use kale or spinach as i don't have a vitamix which is the superduper whizzer/blender, i use a hand blender and it doesn't break the kale down enough for me. i use lettuce in the fruit smoothies.

    yes, juicers do break the items right down so it is instantly absorbed. maybe it is just a matter of getting the combination of items right aphrodite for your cold juice? i think they're so refreshing with a lovely green colour (or brown if you start adding carrots to it)

    some of my tips;

    - just start with a leaf or two of kale or a small handful of spinach so the juice is not too strong (using the apples and ginger or lemon will take away the strong green taste) and build up slowly or it can taste really strong or upset your tummy.

    - dark green romaine lettuce leaves have more nutrients in them than other lettuce so use those preferably

    - i dont use more than 3 or 4 items in a juice or smoothie

    - dilute the made juice down a little with water

    my fav green juice is; spinach, green apples, ginger & celery

    fave smoothie; banana, mango/nectarine/apricot, handful of frozen red fruits, romain lettuce leaves (is a lovely ruby/purple colour), with a dash of oil (flax/hemp or olive) and dash of agave nectar

  5. #5

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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    I thought you couldn't taste the kale at all until I ran out and made just plain fruit smoothies for my kids and they asked me what was wrong with it. LOL

    I also use spinach, collard greens, romaine lettuce or bok choy depending on what I have handy.

  6. #6
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    i always have green smoothie for breakfast;

    yesterday: 2 bananas, 2 slices fresh pineapple, 4 romaine leaves

    today: 2 bananas, 1 orange, handful baby spinach

  7. #7
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    today; 2 bananas, thick slice fresh pineapple, handful spinach

  8. #8
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    breakfast; 1 banana, 1 orange, handful strawberries, some romaine leaves

    lunch; 2 bananas, some young lettuce greens from the garden and some parsley and water.

  9. #9
    fatfree's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    I make a quart of smoothie at least 1 out 2 days. I always feel better on the days I have my smoothie. Whenever I feel low on energy I just go the fridge and have a small cup.

    Today:
    2 apples, 1/2 c. blueberries, some collard greens and kale. I added a tsp of spirulina and a Tbsp of ground flax seeds.

    Best Wishes,

    Robert
    May all Beings be Free of Suffering

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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    I love green smoothies and fresh Raw smoothies in general!

    Today I had Romaine, Basil, Cilantro, Spinach and Mango. YUM!!!!! Energy and digestion are simply at peak performance with fresh smoothies. I drink them all the time. I even take them in a mason jar to the movie theater so I have something super tasty during the movie ssshhh...don't tell the movie police

  11. #11
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    not so green, more ruby, but still good;

    2 bananas
    cup frozen red mixed berries
    1/2 head romaine lettuce

  12. #12
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Quote fatfree View Post
    I make a quart of smoothie at least 1 out 2 days. I always feel better on the days I have my smoothie. Whenever I feel low on energy I just go the fridge and have a small cup.

    Today:
    2 apples, 1/2 c. blueberries, some collard greens and kale. I added a tsp of spirulina and a Tbsp of ground flax seeds.

    Best Wishes,

    Robert

    robert, do you use a vitamix or counter blender? i was just thinking about the apples, my blender wouldn't mix them up smooth. or do you mean juicing?

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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Ohhh....I love raspberries, bananas and romaine. So refreshing!

  14. #14
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    Talking Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Quote cedarblue View Post
    robert, do you use a vitamix or counter blender? i was just thinking about the apples, my blender wouldn't mix them up smooth. or do you mean juicing?
    Hi Cedarblue,

    I use a high end Kitchenaide blender and though it's no vitamix or k-tec it does a good job. I do dice the apples into 1/2 inch cubes and I run the blender on liquefy for about 2-3 minutes. I had more trouble with the kale in the beginning until I learned to put it and the collards in with cold water and run it for a few minutes before I adding fruit.

    I was reading a comparison between high end blenders such as the vitamix and k-tec because I am thinking about buying one of them. The new k-tec 3+ horsepower runs at an amazing 45,000 rpm. I think vitamix runs at about 28,000. The reviewer commented on the sharpness of the blades. The person doing the comparison talked about blades not being sharp and just beating the ingredients. The blades are not sharp at all on my blender so I am thinking about sharpening them. I don't know if there is any reason why I shouldn't do this.

    Best Wishes,

    Robert
    May all Beings be Free of Suffering

  15. #15
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    hmmmm. i use either a juicer for my juices, or a hand blender or food processor type blender with s-blade for smoothies - this one is fairly basic.

    dicing into small cubes is a good idea - why didn't i think of that - so simple.

    today i had a lime green smoothie - handful spinach, 2 bananas, 1 orange, water.

  16. #16
    fatfree's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Hi Cedarblue,

    Lime green smoothie. Sounds delicious. I have to try one. I did use my food processor once to make a smoothie and it worked very well. I don't know why I don't use it more.

    Best Wishes,

    Robert
    May all Beings be Free of Suffering

  17. #17
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    use that processor robert!

    for breakfast;
    handful spinach, 2 bananas, orange, water

    lunchtime;
    handful spinach, few leaves chard from garden, 2 bananas, kiwi fruit, water.

    hmm lime green - might try a squeeze of lime in to zing it up a bit!

  18. #18
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    breakfast; little leftover spinach, 5 romaine leaves, nectarine, 2 bananas

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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Great tip about the fp for smoothies

  20. #20
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    Talking Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Quote cedarblue View Post
    use that processor robert!
    Hi Cedarblue,
    OK. I'm going to get it out and use it more. Thanks for the push

    Best Wishes,

    Robert
    May all Beings be Free of Suffering

  21. #21
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    well it wasn't green but it was good;

    handful of frozen mixed red berries
    handful of chard & spinach leaves from the garden
    2 bananas
    1 orange

    - the chard taste kicked in but in a nice way - ruby/purple colour too!

  22. #22
    nervine
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    i chuck in half a cucumber, lettuce and frozen zuchinni half the time

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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Ok no offence to anyone, but

    I can't imagine putting vegetables into a smoothie. I am very traditional - Banana, berries, citrus juices etc...

  24. #24
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    if you want to get some intravenous green stuff, stuff them in there - or just add 3 or 4 small laves of romaine lettuce as a try?? go on stickydate - try it!

  25. #25
    nervine
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Quote stickydate View Post
    Ok no offence to anyone, but

    I can't imagine putting vegetables into a smoothie. I am very traditional - Banana, berries, citrus juices etc...
    jeez, open your mind, just do it, you dont taste the veggies anyway half the time, i used to chuck in a handful of parsley..

  26. #26
    AR Activist Roxy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Quote stickydate View Post
    Ok no offence to anyone, but

    I can't imagine putting vegetables into a smoothie. I am very traditional - Banana, berries, citrus juices etc...
    LOL I'm with you!

  27. #27
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    i don't agree nervine, i think that theres no doubt you CAN taste the green leaves sometimes but if you like eating raw spinach, chard etc anyway, it's a flavour that can be adjusted to - like getting used to the taste of soy milk after dairy milk really. sometimes a matter of sticking with it if you really want to up the amount of greens in your daily diet.

    i really recommend the romaine leave though, practially tasteless but good for you.

    start small with the amount of green stuff and build up as your taste buds adjust. or use stronger tasting fruits to mask the flavour say grapefruit, strawberries, blackcurrants etc.

    you could just pop one in and maybe two next time...

    ...or not!! it's up to you LOL

    yesterday;
    1/2 grapefruit
    chard & spinach from garden
    kiwi fruit
    2 bananas

  28. #28
    nervine
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    m drinking this one atm: 3 bananas, handful of lettuce, 1/3rd of a cucumber, handful of frozen zuchini and 3 tbps of cacao and some water. I don't taste any of the veggies! Maybe its cuz im so used to drinking it hehe

  29. #29
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    could be.....

    today
    2 bananas
    handful chard/spinach
    orange
    cup mixed red berries
    dash agave nectar

  30. #30
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    i'm eating the chard & spinach from the garden quicker than it can grow so i gave it a rest today;

    not-green smoothie; more like a pudding, it was quite thick!
    sunflower seeds (soaked overnight)
    2 bananas
    1 orange

  31. #31
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    orange smoothie today;

    2 bananas
    goji berries soaked overnight & their water
    romaine lettuce

  32. #32
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    more like a green pudding really;
    2 bananas
    1/2 mango
    mandarin
    1/2 romaine head

  33. #33
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    what a beautiful green colour!

    2 bananas
    spinach
    kiwi fruit
    orange



  34. #34
    nervine
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    woa yum, i had this one this morning: 3 bananas, handful of red grapes, handful of frozen zuchinni and some agave

  35. #35
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    cedarblue that looks beautiful, i think i might start adding veg to my smoothies, does the spinach taste strong though?

  36. #36
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    i started off with just a few leaves of spinach, say 4 or 5, then increased to a handful slowly. romaine lettuce is a good one to start with, much less taste, if any, than spinach but still a leafy green.

    imo the scale of greens in terms of best nutritional value;
    kale / wheatgrass / spinach
    chard
    romaine

    other greens; dandelions, young sprouts etc

    play around but start with a small amount and use fruit, also dates, agave syrup, carob powder to taste if you like.

    read back through the thread furrytips for more ideas of combinations. good luck

    soon i think i'm going to try a more savoury smoothie than sweet, i'll feed back.

  37. #37
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    this morning;

    spinach
    soaked goji berries
    soaked sunflower seeds
    orange
    banana
    water

  38. #38
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    thanks cedarblue, i love the idea of using dates and carob, i'm definitely going to do that along with romaine lettuce in my smoothies

  39. #39
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    unless you are using fresh dates i recommend soaking the dates overnight to whizz up smoother and not too much carob powder, it can be strong and overpower everything else.

    oranges, mango, red berries & pineapple can provide good 'green flavour smothering' qualitites too!

  40. #40

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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    oh i love to juice! here are some of my favorites...

    a few stocks of celery
    2 apples
    2 pears
    one or two bunches of grapes
    this drink is very energizing, a great way to start the day


    lots of carrots (i never really measure)
    one or two apples (depending on how many carrots)
    this sounds gross but its amazing! carrot juice is sooo good for you and the apples make it taste sweeter for those who don't like straight carrot juice



    lots of carrots
    about half as much celery
    a couple slices of jicama (also called a mexican potato)
    about half a cucumber
    a couple bunches of spinach or romaine
    a large apple or two small ones
    this drink is amazing. you get all your basic nutrients and it tastes good because of the apple.

  41. #41
    Mew Mew Mew! Kitteh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Ok, so I would like to know if I need a large food processor or will a juicer and hand blender do?

    I already make a juice every arvo with spinach, beetroot, carrot, ginger & a green apple. If I wanted to add banana, would I use the hand blender with some water and then add it to the juice?!

  42. #42

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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Food processor is great for pates and making things that you don't want to have a "whipped" texture (a blender tends to whip a lot of air into your food). But, you can get by with a blender for a lot of things. If you get the fp, get something that is 10cup or bigger. 7 cup is just never enough really.

    Juice...if you add banana, yes, do it in the blender with some water and then pour it into the juice.

    Cheers!

  43. #43
    Mew Mew Mew! Kitteh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Thank you, very keen to start making these green smoothies

    I've started growing herbs on my balcony (I live in an apartment) perhaps I could start some lettuces as well. I look forward to living in a house with a garden again in the near future

  44. #44
    Mew Mew Mew! Kitteh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Made my first GS yesterday The hand blender worked really well, I used it to blend 2 small bananas and a kiwi fruit then I jucied 4 big leaves of spinach and some ginger and added it to the bananakiwi mix - YUM! Great lime green colour too

  45. #45
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    sounds yum kitteh!

  46. #46
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    well it wasnt green today, more brownish but;

    2 bananas
    sunflower seeds soaked overnight
    1 orange
    handful of fresh green & red chard leaves from garden

  47. #47
    Mew Mew Mew! Kitteh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    Mine was browny green too, the blackberries really change the colour:

    4 large spinach leaves
    2 medium bananas
    handful of raspberries & blackberries
    1 kiwi fruit
    lsa & psyllium

    Yum

  48. #48
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    today;

    2 bananas
    2 oranges
    handful baby spinach leaves

  49. #49
    Zero
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    3 Kiwis
    1 Banana
    3 Sticks of celery
    Handful of baby spinach

    Tasty.

  50. #50
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    Default Re: Green Smoothies & Juices

    1 banana
    2 collard leaves
    2 chard leaves
    2 stalks of kale
    2 small apples
    a few sprigs of parsley
    1 TBS of flax seeds

    I make this in the morning and split it for my wife and I.

    Best Wishes,

    Robert
    May all Beings be Free of Suffering

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