Smoothies: Sweet Lettuce

At my house we are big fans of just about anything GREEN!  Here's another great receipe from the Vita-Mix Cookbook we make: Sweet Lettuce Smoothie 

One of the many reasons we like these drinks and the Vita-Mix is when the ingredients are mixed correctly and done properly, "You can't taste the lettuce, or spinach, or celery."  These ingredients are all important to one's health and kids especially don't want to think of these ingredients in a drink.  So in a way your using the sweeter foods in life to camoflouge the ones they may not like. 

Sweet Lettuce Smoothie
Servings: 3 cups; 49 Calories; 0 g Tot. Fat

1 C. Green grapes
1 C. Romaine lettuce, chopped, washed
1/2  medium Apple, halved
1 C. Ice cubes

1. Place all ingredients into blender in order of list.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Var. 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 90 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.

Smoothie: Triple Berry

Another favorite at my house is the Triple Berry Smoothie.  It's just like the expensive smoothie at McDonald's, but you know exactly what goes into it!  The only difference is the smoothie contains rasberry seeds, and if your not a fan, you may want to strain it; but it's scrumpitous either way!

Again this receipe is designed for the Vita-Mix, so please be cautious if you are not using one.  I would hate for anyone to burn-out their blender.

Triple Berry Smoothie
Serving: 1 1/2 cups; 110 Calories; 1gram Total Fat

1/2 C. Water
1/4 C. low-fat Vanilla Yogurt
1/2 C. frozen unsweetened Strawberries
1/2 C. frozen unsweetened Blueberries
1/2 C. frozen unsweetened Rasberries

1. Place all ingredients into blender in order of list.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Var. 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 90 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.

Smoothies: Green Monster

This is one of my family's favorite's from the Vita-Mix Cookbook.  The only difference is in the book it is called the "Sailor Man Smoothie," we renamed it the Green Monster because our children devour it like little monsters. 

I don't recommend putting the ingredients in as it says unless you have a Vita-Mix.  If you have a great blender, simply chop up the ingredients a bit.  When completed it is a luscious dark green color from the spinach.  It is best the first time you make it to have them help; kids enjoy seeing what goes in, and are more likely to try it then. 

Green Monster
Makes: 4 cups  Serving: 57 calories; 0 Total Fat

1/2 C. Grapes (green or red)
1/4 C. low-fat Vanilla Yogurt
1 C. fresh Spinach, washed
1/2 med. Banana, peeled
1/2 Apple, halved
1/3 C. Pineapple chuncks
1 C. ice cubes

1. Place all ingredients into the Vita-Mix container in the order listed and secure the lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 45 seconds or until desired consistencey is reached. 

Smoothies

I am reading the book The Myth of the A.D.D. Child by Thomas Armstrong.  The first advice given by this doctor to help ADD kids and all kids at that is healthy diet.  Jameson was diagnosed last May with ADHD and I am trying to find ways to help him be a sucess in this world. Now cooking is something I can DO!!!!!

Michele and I talked about our love of fruit smoothies. I hope to hear more about her vita-mixer!

Strawberry smoothies

1/4 cup vanilla yogurt

1 cup cold milk

1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries

2 tablespoons AK mixed berry jam

blend and love!