Popeye Spinach Juice
We are now three weeks into summer 'break' with my girls, and I'm ready for September.
Not because I don't love being with my girls all day, but I'm over the 110 degree weather (and it will get worse). And...As much as I love swimming every day, I don't. Unless it's on a beach, of coarse.
Throughout the day, the girls and I get really thirsty, and I'm always looking for new ways to rehydrate without plain water. Lemonade is always a requested choice, but I would love something that offered a little more nutrition. Then I was reminded about THIS drink that I had a few weeks back, and knew I had to recreate it.
I could have gotten in my car and just ordered one for myself. But it's 110...I don't drive in 110. Unless it's to a place where my body will be in water...
Popeye Spinach Juice
Ingredients
- 2 navel oranges
- 3 handfuls spinach
- 2 limes
Instructions
- Juice all ingredients in your juicer, not blender.
- Drink immediately, and serve over ice. (Make sure all of your ingredients are cold before juicing!)
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I haven't tried this drink with other greens or citrus but I have a feeling it would taste great with lemon too!
Now i'm off to blow up a large inflatable Disney Princess Pool in 110 degree weather and try not to pass out.
Wish me luck!
Orange-Carrot Juice
Did you know that the cuter your kids are, the better the candy they get on Halloween...
Trust me friends...When my darling two little princesses walked up to those strangers doors, every single person just fell in love. They immediately reached in their big bowl of candy, skipped past the sweet tarts and jolly ranchers, and pulled out the regular size snickers and full size bags of M&M's.
Full size M&M's!! Really?! Do they not know that M&M's are my weakness?!
Like many families during this time of year, I think we are all trying to offset the influx of holiday sweets that are just coming in on a weekly basis. Whether it's parties, holidays, etc., it's that time of year where the only thing missing is marshmallow peeps healthy food.
But if we make healthy food fun, bright, and attractive to the eyes of our little ones, than we can feel a little better about this time of year all together!
Orange-Carrot Juice
The sweetness of the carrots and oranges in this drink will satisfy any child's taste buds! And don't worry about the taste of carrots, you can't even taste it! Add a green celery stalk in a clear glass, so when you add the vibrant juice, it looks as if they are drinking a pumpkin!
Ingredients
- 4 large carrots
- 3 juice oranges (peeled)
Instructions
- Juice the carrots and oranges together.
- Serve in clear glasses with a celery stalk to give the appearance of a pumpkin!
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My goal was to give the appearance of a pumpkin by adding a green celery stick as the stem since we are still in pumpkin/halloween mode. In fact, according to Boo, we aren't allowed to take down ANY halloween decorations.
Including our molding carved pumpkins...Awesome.
Speaking of my kids...
Can you tell how opposite my girls are? One is in a princess dress and the other is outside playing in the dirt. Which one do you think is more like me?...
My Favorite Fresh Green Juice Recipe!
There once was a time when I visited a local restaurant 3 times a week.
I was massively pregnant, and practically everyone in the restaurant knew us by name and had our order memorized.
The Yellow Deli was like visiting Disneyland for me. Only I didn't have to save 6 years to visit there, and instead I could buy the most amazing tasting waffle ever for only a few bucks. Everything was fresh, came from their farm, and I swear they put some type of addicting additive in their food...
The bread, the bars, the the salads, sandwiches, my favorite veggie burger...And let's not forget THE MOST delicious tasting Green Juice.
I've tried many fresh squeezed green juices at a lot of different restaurants, but this one actually tasted good. It was sweet, tart, and you really had no idea you were drinking chard, kale, or spinach. I've tried to recreate it multiple times, but I for some reason could never get the ratios right.
Recently I gave it another shot and let my husband take the first sip just in case I failed bad...
"You did it babe!" I jumped up and down and then said, "Yes! Now I just need to recreate everything else on their menu that way we don't have to move back!"
My Favorite Fresh Green Juice Recipe!
Recipe Type
:
The Best Tasting Fresh Green Juice
Prep time:
5 mins
Cook time:
5 mins
Total time:
10 mins
Serves:
1
If you are fond of grapefruit, then this juice has your name written all over it! It's the perfect combo of sweet and tart, along with packing in veggies and a lot of energy. Make sure all your ingredients are super cold, and don't forget to have a frozen glass sitting in the freezer ready for you to drink out of :-)!
Ingredients
1/8 c. chilled Yerba Mate Tea sweetened with agave nectar (or your choice)
1 1/4 grapefruit
handful of spinach
handful of kale
1 large swiss chard leaf
lemon slices
Instructions
Add Yerba Mate to a glass. Having is sweetened is important, otherwise the juice will taste a little funky.
Juice all the ingredients into that glass, minus the lemon, until done.
Add fresh juice to frozen glass and serve with a lemon slice.
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If you want a step by step explanation on how to make this juice, I've filmed a little tutorial for you. A few notes before you watch the film:
-Both kid were sleeping so I'm talking super funny because I don't want them to hear me.
-I apologize for acting completely and totally awkward.
Have a great day!
All about Green Drinks 101
**Update: I have had a lot of questions regarding the type of blender I use to make green smoothies. I've always used a Vitamix. Click HERE to see the Vitamix. If that one is too pricey, I've also successfully used my Magic Bullet Blender for years, link HERE ."** (affiliate links)
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The thought of eating vegetables can be gag-worthy to some...
But the idea of DRINKING your vegetables can sound just down right repulsive.
If you would have asked me 5 years ago to drink a green smoothie I would have laughed in your face than had nightmares for 6 months after that. They are down right scary.
Oddly enough, not only do I now eat my veggies, but I drink tons of them too. Trust me. I gots me lots a friends....(And good Engrish too...)
And if somebody asked me what is ONE thing they could do differently to adapt a healthier eating lifestyle, I would beg them to drink a green smoothie everyday. It's the one thing that I believe can have a major impact on your diet and change the way you feel.
But what exactly are the benefits of drinking green?
Improved digestive system
Better energy
Opportunity to give your body nutrients it most likely wouldn't receive on a regular basis
Being able to eat raw veggies(w/o a cup of ranch dressing on the side.)
-Weight loss
-Fight off sickness
-Sleep improvement
-Rid your body of toxins
-Essential vitamins, nutrients, and minerals
-Helps your kids (and hubby's!) get their veggies
-Fast to make AND healthy!
The list goes on and on....
But sometimes the benefits are not enough to convince somebody to drink green. Sure it's good for you, but is it really worth stomaching something that can taste so freak nastay?
That's where your wrong my friends...Because I am here to tell you I have never tried a green drink I didn't like.(And trust me...I've had my fair share of green drink varieties.) With the right ingredients, knowledge, and helpful perks, green drinks can taste more like a regular smoothie(even a dessert one) without even noticing the hint of any vegetables!
First, let's start with the veggies:
Spinach is an obvious choice when it comes to drinking greens. It's a very mild tasting green, so a lot of people love to use it. On top of that, it's a familiar ingredient. People are scared of it, but not too scared since they know a little bit about it. I think spinach is a GREAT green to add in smoothies, but I think sometimes we get stuck in a rut of ONLY using spinach. There are SO many other veggies out there that have different types of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that our bodies need.
Here are my favorite veggies to use as of right now:
Spinach
Kale (no stems, just leaves. Stems are stanky!)
Rainbow and Green Chard
Collard Greens
Dandelion Greens (Just a little, it can tend to me strong)
Mustard Greens (just a little, it kind of has a kick.)
Cucumbers
Carrots
Beets
Avocados
Pumpkin Puree
*Remember to wash your greens to get rid of dirt and yucky stuff! (Yes, I said yucky. So professional.)
And to store greens properly, I just wash them, dry, and then put them in labeled zip lock bags with a paper towel.
Perfect for portioning sizes for smoothies and what not!
Next Step: Add your fruit!
Veggies aren't the only thing that you can add to your green drink. I especially love adding fruit!
Fruit is a great way to add a natural sweetness to your drink, giving it a 'smoothie' like taste, and hiding the taste of some of those veggies. Not too mention fruit is another great way to get in some extra goodness like antioxidants and fiber!
Here is some of my top fruits to add in smoothies. And fruit will do, it just depends on your liking. For more tropical flavors choose things like mangos, oranges, pineapples, etc...
Bananas (GREAT sweetener! Also does well hiding those veggies!)
Cherries
Strawberries
Blueberries
Blackberries
Raspberries
Mangos
Pears
Pineapples
Peaches
Orange Juice (Fresh squeezed)
Pomegranates
Grapes
Apples
Next, give that smoothie some VA VA- VOOM!
Here is where you can go above and beyond a strawberry banana smoothie, and move onto a sweet almond cherry coconut bliss smoothie. The world is your...green drink? That made no sense, but are you catching my drift? There are many little things we can add to our green drinks to give them that extra flair that will make them more desirable to drink. No one ever said no to a chocolate PB drink! And if they did, well then...I'm speechless. :-)
Here are some things to add to those green drinks to give them some extra OOMPH!
Nut Butters (Almond Butter, Peanut Butter, Walnut Butter, Sunflower Butter...etc. Great source of protein and healthy fats!)
Nuts (Don't have the butta', then just throw in a few nuts!)
Cocoa Powder (Chocolate...Heck yes!)
Carob Powder
Oatmeal (Bring on the hearty breakfast grains!)
Almond Extract
Vanilla Extract
Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger)
Mint Leaves
Basil Leaves
Coconut Milk
Orange Juice (If you combine coconut milk and Oj, you get a creamsicle taste!)
Cocoa nibs
Dark chocolate chips
PB pong balls or Fudge Balls or S'more Balls
Lemon, Lime
Ginger
Don't forget those added bonus:
Every green drink needs those few added bonuses that will boost their nutrient value even more!
Here are my favorite little added bonuses:
Protein Powder (I love to use a plant based protein powder. My favorite brand is Sun Warrior!)
Choice of Liquid (whether it be non dairy milk, reg. milk, water, etc.)
Lastly if needed, add a sweetener.
I've gotten to the point where I don't usually need a sweetener, especially if I have loaded it with fruit. But the more stronger tasting veggies like beets, I tend to add a little bit to sweeten the drink to my liking.
Here are my favorite go-to natural sweeteners:
100% Pure Maple Syrup
Agave Nectar
Raw Honey
Dates
Stevia
So where to begin?
Start simple. Add ingredients you are familiar with, and slowly each time add in different things to get used to. You will adjust smoothies to your taste buds preferences, and in time find what is right for you!
Here are a few recipes to get you started!
Beginners Green Drink
1 C. non diary milk
2 C. spinach
1 frozen banana
1 TB. Chia Seeds
1 tsp. Sweetener of choice
1tsp. vanilla
Ice
Optional: Peanut Butter
Tropical Cream Green Drink
1/2 C. fresh OJ
1/2 C.-1 C. coconut milk
1 C. spinach
1 C. kale
1 frozen banana
1/2 c. frozen pineapple, mango, or peaches
1 tsp. vanilla
2 TB. coconut flakes
ice
Red Velvet Smoothie
1 C. non dairy milk
1 medium beet peeled, steamed, and chopped
1/3 c. frozen raspberries, cherries, or strawberries
1 frozen banana
4 TB. cocoa powder
4 pitted dates
1 TB. chia seeds
2 tsp. sweetener of choice
1 tsp. vanilla
ice
PICTURE
Green Smoothies are great for breakfast! Baby Boo has one pretty much every morning, it's her favorite thing to have!
Here is a typical smoothie for Boo. It's loaded with healthy fats, protein, greens, and tons of vitamins and minerals!!
Princess Bliss Avocado Green Smoothie
1 C. milk of choice (I used coconut-from a carton, not a can.)
1 frozen banana
1/2 frozen avocado
1/2 c. kale
1/4 c. oats
1/4 c. vanilla yogurt (soy or reg.)
1 TB. Chia seeds
1 TB. almond butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 TB. maple syrup (Boo really doesn't need a sweetener because she can't tell the difference, but for older kids you could add a little more than 1 TB.)
ice
Then this morning for breakfast the three of us split this smoothie:
My husband said it was the BEST smoothie he has ever had...And trust me, those words don't always come out of his mouth...
SHOCKER! :-)
Chocolatey Chocolate Green Smoothie
1 c. milk of choice
handful spinach
handful kale
handful chard
1/4 c. dandelion greens (just the leaves)
1 frozen banana
handful frozen cherries
4 spoonfuls cocoa powder
2 TB. almond butter
1 TB. chia seeds
2 TB. agave nectar
2 c. ice
A lot of times I make more than enough smoothie, so I just freeze the extra in an ice cube tray and use them for another day! That way, when I am in a hurry I just throw some in a blender with some milk and voila!
Whew! That was a LONG post! Don't be afraid to try a green drink! If anything, you won't regret the way it will make you feel on a regular basis. :-)
For additional recipes, just go to my recipes tab underneath the header and click on green drinks!
Have a great day!! :-)
Fresh Summer Green Juice
Yesterday was a BeAuTiFuL Day!
I hope everybody had a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend. I am so grateful for this country we live in and for those who have served/are serving allowing us to enjoy the blessings of our free country.
This weekend we took time to smell the roses, and others took time to eat them..
We enjoyed the outdoors and played in the grass,
And then wished we hadn't because grass makes you itchy..
We sipped fresh sqeezed juices that made us dream of summer,
Fresh Summer Green Juice
1 large cup watermelon
1 large cucumber
2 gala apples
1/2 inch ginger piece
2-4 stalks swiss chard (preference-more if desired)
And then every morning I found joy in making Green Smoothies for willing family members we were visiting,
Pumpkiny Green Smoothie
1. C. Non Dairy Milk
1/3 C. Pumpkin Puree
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 C. Spinach
2 Dates
3 TB Oats
2 TB Chia Seeds
1 Frozen Banana
1 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice (or combo of cinnamon and nutmeg)
ice
I even got a little creative and added frozen carrots...
Carrot Green Smoothie
1 C. Non Dairy Milk
2 C. Spinach
3 TB oats
2 Dates
1 Frozen Banana
1/3 C. Frozen Carrots
1/3 C. Pumpkin Puree
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 TB Walnuts
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
Ice
Things may have gotten even a little out of hand when I made No Bake Energy Cookies with SwIsS ChArD in them...
But crazy is ok with me, because we couldn't get enough of these cookies.
I even tried baking them and they turned out better than I imagined!
These cookies were so tasty and delicious, yet I am debating whether or not to post the recipe.
(Do people really want Swiss Chard Energy Cookies??)
And last but not least Baby Boo got a Pink Car from G-ma and G-pa...
(I'm a little against the whole car thing, but as long as it's pink.... :) jk jk)
Everyone is a little nervous she is going to turn out to be a driver like her Mama...
For the most part, I would say things are looking up?
Wouldn't you?
Strong Green Drink
"Look MaMa...NO hands!"
"AHH Baby Boo! Don't Fall!"
"YUM Mama this door stop is DeLiCiOus!"
"Ew Don't eat that! How did you get that off?!?"
"Hey Baby Boo, have you seen my Lens Cap anywhere..?"
"Baby Boo don't eat the camera!"
"Are you hungry Baby Boo..?!?"
Mama's not hungry...
Mama needs a drink!
Make it a strong one...
Strong Green Drink
It's going to take alot of convince you that you should try this.
It's not for the faint of heart.
It's got alot of strong ingredients in it.
But its my FaVoRiTe green drink.
I know I say that often, but I mean it this time.
Ingredients:
2 Large Grapefruits
If you like grapefruit, you will most likely love this drink. Alot of the taste comes from the juice of this tangy and somewhat sour fruit...
haha somewhat... =]
1 Green Apple
Another sour taste to add to this concoction. Like I said..
I might have to beg you to try this...
Especially after you add:
2-3 Stalks of Kale
I'm going to be honest.
Kale=Nasty
2 Stalks of Red Chard
I'm just going to keep on writting okay..=]
2 Stalks of Collard Greens
And..
A Handful of Spinach
Oh, and if you want...
You can add 2 tsp. of your sweetener of choice. (I.E. agave, maple syrup...)
Directions:
1. You will need a juicer for this
2. Juice all ingredients, until you get a foamy green deliciousness!
Ok, so I'm gonna be real for a second here.
My first thought was...NaStY..
And it's not like I am afraid of Green Drinks...
I'm just used to them having things like coconut milk and bananas that mask the taste of the greens.
But when I took a sip of this Strong Green Drink...
I suddenly became fearful...Because I realized I was Ok to drink my greens without using other ingredients to mask the taste.
Because it was, how do I put this appropriately..
Freaking...Yummy
I can't explain how...
I'm not that smart...
"Hey Baby Boo, you want some?!"
"Baby Boo...
Baby BOO.."
Oh, now you want to take a nap...
Green Drinks & Nut Butter Coated Fries
I have been feeling AmAzInG lately.
Ever since Baby Boo was born, I have kind of been a homebody...
She was always too little to take places, and since I was her only source of food, I couldn't really leave her with anyone for too long.
BUT NOW...
She is old enough to go for walks and ENJOY it! She loves to be outside and play. She is easy to take places because I know if she gets hungry I can give her a bottle. (She also isn't eating ever hour.) And she is easy to leave with the hubby if I need to go to the grocery store/gym.
So recently we have taken walks, I have gone to the gym, and we have played for hours. She is happy and so is mamma.
In other Baby Boo news, I have had to do alot of this lately:
This fearless little angle just arches her back and practically falls out of each thing she is placed in. Luckily mamma has reflexes like a cat...Powers which I didn't know I had until I had to use them.
Little dare devil.
Also, to keep up with my New Year's Goals, I have been aiming at training for a half marathon. I have been running and trying to build up my endurance, and have felt awesome! I have a program on my I-Phizzle that helps you train. It teaches you to run a little, then walk a little, and eventually you will be able to run that half marathon. Last night I ran 5 minutes, then walked one minute. Your supposed to repeat that 10 times. Not easy, but I know that I must keep it up if I want to reach my goal =]
Now, I don't know if your like me, but when I work out, I am more likely to make better choices about the food I am eating. I am SuPeR excited to share with you a NEW green drink that I think many of you will like. I'll reassure you again...
You cannot taste the spinach =]
My brother and sister in law always bring by boxes of oranges from the house. I love it because I am obsessed with fresh squeezed OJ.
The only thing I don't know if I like is pulp...
It makes me...uncomfortable =]
That's ok...pulp or no pulp, your still my lover fresh squeezed orange balls of juice.
And as I sqeezed that precious juice into my glass, I couldn't help but think of those ice cream bars I used to have as a kid...So creamy, so orangey...
And then I knew I just had to try and recreate...
In a green drink form...
Creamsicle Green Drink
Ingredients:
1 Cup fresh squeezed OJ
3/4 cup Vanilla almond/soy milk
2 cups fresh spinach
1/2 (heaping)cup frozen peaches
1 medium banana
ice
Directions:
Blend in blender until smooth and creamy.
Oh MY Lanta!
I couldn't believe something SO good, was a benefit to my body.
It definitely reminded me of those yummy ice cream bars.
If you want to turn this into a protein drink I'm assuming you could add vanilla protein powder too!
I think this drink brought me luck today, because as I was stumbling through recipes, I found one that rocked my slippers off (I don't wear socks...I wear Snooki slippers)
Nut Butter Coated Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients:
1 tsp. Almond Butter
1 TB Peanut Butter
1/2 TB. Olive oil
Dash of Salt
1 Medium Sweet Potato (or LG. Parsnip)
Recipe by:Diet, Dessert, & Dogs and Ohsheglows
Directions:
1. Gather your ingredients:
2. Mix Nut butters, oil, and salt into a bowl and set aside.
3. Peel and wash potato or parsnip and slice into fries.
4. Coat with Nut butter mixture.
5. Spread onto baking sheet covered with parchment paper or baking sheet. Bake at 400 for 50 minutes.
I didn't think I was going to be able to wait that long...
But Baby Boo kept me preoccupied by wanting to play my her favorite game...
dress up...
When the fries were done...
I may have wept a little.
They were damn good.
And I may have drizzled a little agave on top...
I don't remember much after that...