Emerald City Smoothie

Green smoothies are officially "IN." 

Blending nutritious fruits and veggies into a delicious, energizing drink is the perfect way to fill your body with natural goodness. Whether you are starting your day with a smoothie, substituting lunch for liquids, or satisfying your hunger with a quick smoothie snack, you are sure sure to love this new health trend. 

The great thing about a green smoothie is that it's really hard to mess up it up. It may take a little trial and error while you experiment with different flavors, but ultimately you can't go wrong! 

I am a lifelong veggie lover! I've learned  to cringe in silence when I hear someone profess their hatred, which is surprisingly often. For people who don't care for greens, smoothies are a great way to disguise the otherwise strong, bitter taste of kale, collards, spinach, etc. 

Fruit contains natural sugar, which eliminates the need for added sugar and sweeteners. Sweet apples, berries, bananas, and mangoes are just a few fruits that will delight your taste buds and make green smoothies one of your new favorite things. 

One of the best ways to make health a habit, is to let your creative juices flow (pun intended). You can use fresh fruits and vegetables, or choose from the frozen selection at your local grocery store if your favorites are not in season. During the summer months, I love to buy fresh, juicy berries, but they tend to grow mold within days of purchase. To ensure that I can enjoy them year round, I wash and freeze them as soon as I get home! 

Another great smoothie trick is to pre-portion  your ingredients before freezing. When it's time for a smoothie, you can easily grab a bag out of the freezer, throw it in the blender with your juice of choice, and voila! Instant smoothie! 

The Emerald City Smoothie has a ton of health benefits, without sacrificing flavor. Take a look at some of the benefits of the smoothie's featured ingredients: 

Aloe Vera: Detoxification, immune and digestive support, cholesterol and blood sugar regulation, hair growth, skin hydration, and more! (Note: Aloe vera is not suggested for ingestion among women who are pregnant, as it may cause uterine contractions; or women who are breastfeeding, as it may cause digestive issues among infants. I am currently breastfeeding, so I used very little and I do not ingest it often. Be very careful mommies and mommies-to-be!

Hemp Protein: Contains all 21 amino acids and provides support for muscle health. 

Chia Seeds: Gluten-free source of fiber, protein, and Omega-3 fatty acids. 

The juice I selected for this smoothie, Naked's Green Machine, was the perfect selection. If you don't have a juicer, buy a large bottle of this stuff and keep it in your refrigerator. There is no added sugar, and the ingredients provide an amazing foundation for a healthy green smoothie: 

Apples
Banana
Kiwi
Mango
Pineapple
Spirulina
Alfalfa
Broccoli
Spinach
Kale
Garlic
Barley Grass
Wheat Grass
Ginger 
Parsley

You've got to try this smoothie ASAP!

My kids guzzled down every last drop! It's wonderful to know that their source of excitement was also the healthiest thing they'd had all day. 

Tip: Save the papaya seeds from this recipe. Store them in an airtight container and freeze them for use at a later time!

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Emerald City Smoothie

Prep Time: 10 Minutes     |   Total Time: 10 Minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients: 

• 16 oz Naked Green Machine (more as desired)
• 11 oz Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk 
• 1/2 cup Baby Spinach
• 1 cup Fresh or Frozen Mango
• 1 cup Fresh or Frozen Pineapple 
• 1 cup Chopped Apple (I used Granny Smith)
• 1 cup Fresh or Frozen Strawberries
• 1 cup Fresh or Frozen Papaya
• 3 tbsp Hemp Protein
• 2 tsp Chia Seeds
• 1 small Aloe Vera Leaf

Directions: 

1. Prepare the aloe vera leaf (see video here).

2. Add ingredients to blender. Blend on high until smooth. 

3. Pour and drink chilled.