Recipe: Vegetable Smoothie

Recipe: Vegetable Smoothie

Creating a vegetable smoothie is a fantastic way to incorporate more veggies into your diet, providing you with essential nutrients in a delicious, easy-to-digest form. Here’s a simple yet nutritious recipe:

Green Veggie Smoothie

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of spinach (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 small cucumber, peeled and sliced
  • 1 stalk of celery, chopped
  • 1/2 green apple, cored and chopped (for sweetness and fiber)
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced (or 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice for a zesty kick)
  • 1 small piece of ginger (about 1 inch), peeled (optional, for anti-inflammatory benefits)
  • 1/2 cup of kale (optional, for extra nutrients)
  • 1/2 cup of water or coconut water (for consistency)
  • 1 tablespoon of flaxseeds or chia seeds (optional, for omega-3s and fiber)
  • A handful of parsley or mint (optional, for flavor and freshness)

Instructions:

  1. Preparation:
    • Wash all the vegetables and fruits thoroughly.
    • Peel the cucumber if you prefer a smoother texture, although the skin does add nutrients.
    • Core the apple and remove any seeds.
  2. Blending:
    • Place the spinach, cucumber, celery, apple, and optional kale into a high-speed blender.
    • Add the lemon juice and ginger. If using seeds, add them now or sprinkle on top as a garnish later.
    • Pour in the water or coconut water. Start with less if you’re unsure of the desired thickness, you can always add more.
  3. Blend:
    • Start blending at a low speed, gradually increasing to high until everything is well blended. If the mixture is too thick, add more water or coconut water until you reach your preferred consistency.
  4. Taste and Adjust:
    • Taste your smoothie. If you want it sweeter, you might add a bit more apple or a small piece of banana or a date. For more zing, add extra lemon juice or ginger.
  5. Serve:
    • Pour into a glass. If you’ve used seeds, you can sprinkle them on top now.

Tips:

  • Ice: If you like your smoothie cold, you can add a few ice cubes before blending or use frozen fruits.
  • Protein Boost: For a protein-rich version, consider adding a scoop