Adding greens to smoothies???

[ellenalesa]

Good morning,

My morning smoothie has usually been fresh OJ, banana and frozen strawberries.

I'd like to start throwing in some spinach or something, will that make it brown and horrible? I'd like to start getting more green foods in.

Does anyone have any suggestions for juicing greens? Which ones do you use? I hear adding an apple or carrot makes it taste better.

Thanks for your help.

Ellen

[rachelmh]

Spinach is probably the most mild. It might make it a little green, but the taste isn't altered. I just had a post about too much spinach in smoothies. I read that you should vary the greens you use. I was using only spinach for a few weeks. So today I added a bag of mixed lettuces that I had in the fridge. Not a great idea to use a lettuce mix that has radiccio in it. YUCK! I am having trouble drinking it, so I added some agave. Now it is too sweet (with a pint of blueberries and two bananas.) But I am persevering through it!

Start slow with spinach. Then progress from there.

[dreamrawalwz]

Once I made a smoothie of: 2 bananas, 1 BAG of spinach, strawberries, pineapple, and blueberries. It filled up the whole blender. You don't taste the spinach at all, but it did make it a funky color from the greens and blueberries. I served it to my parents (cooked eaters) and they loved it...I didn't tell them it had a whole bag of spinach until they were done lol. :D Supposedly my dad doesn't like greens.

[fig]

i use spinach, chard or romaine - depends what's in fridge :D
sometimes i add kale or cabbage (great with an apple ;) )
carrot greens are fantastic, too :cool: i like to change my greens daily, so i don't get borred with any... fruity base is always 2-3 bananas and i add whatever else i have...peaches were in today
first i put a glass of water in my blender, then i add greens ( little by little - blender works faster that way) .. and then fruit
hope it helpes... bon appetit ;)

[eachpeachpearplum]

I have this everyday! I love spinach but also use kale and chard. have a look at my smoothie threads! :p

I have also just started using parsley and love it! It's very refreshing.

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10680

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10738

[Summerloco]

I agree with everyone else, you won't taste the spinach, especially since it's more mild. My favorite combo's so far are

Blueberry, strawberry, walnut, nut milk, romaine w/sweetener
Lemon juice, lemon zest, banana, nut milk, spinach w/ sweetener
Strawberry, watermelon, nut milk, spinach (and/or romaine) w/sweetener

[shelah]

fig,
i have heard that the green tops on carrots are toxic. can anyone confirm this (or set me straight)? :confused:
many blessings,
shelah

[wyjoz]

I have been using carrot tops in my smoothies for over 1/2 year. not everytime. Just whenever. No unusual symptoms experienced ever. Go for it and use the young organic ones! Yum! to health.

[Eveleaf]

When I make green smoothies I like to add spinach and another dark green - usually either kale or collards. However, I find that with those bitter greens you MUST make sure the flavor of the smoothie is strong, or the end result is too bitter. At last I discovered that a slice of fresh pineappe and a teensy wedge of lime do the trick very nicely. I throw those in the blender with whatever other fruits I have lying around, and several handfuls of the greens, and the strong citrusy flavor of the pineapple and lime cover up the bitter of the greens very nicely. :)

Cheers,
Eve

[fig]

duno shelah... i've read that carrot greens are fantastic source of vitamins and minerals - at least organic ones :D

[Lucinda]

I use a whole bag of spinach and then add 2 pears. Tastes beautiful!! There is no need to put in so much fruit with spinach. Just try simple combinations.

[English Tracy]

Yes, definitely spinach! I am getting through quite a lot of it in smoothies.

My current favourite is:

1 banana
1 peach
couple handful spinach
1 small (or half a large) avocado
lemon juice
fresh ginger
(bit of honey if I accidentally overdo the lemon LOL)
water as necessary to get preferred consistency


I'm a bit hesitant about trying kale etc instead of spinach as they are stronger flavours and I don't want to have to throw a smoothie away because I've used too much or don't like the taste.

Tracy