Are you having trouble getting your youngsters to eat their leafy greens? Put them in a shake! I know, it sounds weird and…well…disgusting, but it’s not as bad as you might think. A “greens” shake is actually quite tasty.
When I say “greens” I’m not talking about pale green iceberg lettuce. I mean dark, rich greens, such as kale, collard greens, and spinach. All three are extremely high in vitamin K, vitamin A, and vitamin C, not to mention a host of other health benefits.
One way to get a healthy dose of greens is to put them in a breakfast shake. Chances are, your kids won’t even know the greens are hidden inside! All you need is a handful of chopped greens, some frozen fruit, a liquid base, and a high-powered blender.
The only ingredient I measure is the liquid. I just add the rest of the ingredients a little at a time until the shake is the desired thickness and tastes good.
Greens Shake – Makes four to six servings
2 cups liquid – I usually use a fruit juice, such as apple or pineapple. You also can use a mixture of juices or milk.
Greens – Start with a few clean chopped leaves of your choice. As you get used to having the greens in your shake, you can add a larger amount.
Frozen fruit – I like to use a variety of frozen fruit, but I usually include frozen bananas and a dark fruit like blueberries. (Bananas add sweetness and blueberries disguise the “green” part of the shake.) Here are some good ones to include:
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Strawberries
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Raspberries
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Blueberries
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Pineapple
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Cherries
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Bananas (this is a good way to use up those slightly over-ripe bananas. Just peel them, cut them into chunks, and put them into a freezer bag and freeze until you’re ready for them.)
Be creative, and enjoy!