Newbie needs help with smoothies

[Avacado7]

Hi......I have been looking into "RAW" for about a month now. I am needing a little help. I find when I make the green smoothies, that I wake up earlier and have more energy. However...I cannot say that they have been very tasty. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

[RawSinger]

Hi-

Start out with mostly fruit in your smoothies and only add maybe a small handful of a relatively mild-tasting green, like baby spinach. Just work your way up from there. If by "not very tasty" you actually meant not very flavorful, then try using orange juice or another freshly made juice instead of water to thin out your smoothies. Also, make sure all of your fruit is ripe, as this is when it has the most flavor. Ripe fruit is also more alkaline, which is better for you. Hope this helps!

[Avacado7]

It does. The first smoothie I made was with a mango and spinach. YUM!! Then I made one for my sons...but threw in some baby greens. Yuck! It was bitter! The prices for food here (as with probably everywhere else) are getting crazy....so am hoping to limit my "mistakes." I wondered if there was such a thing as "smoothie guidelines." I imagine you could make either sweet or spicy smoothies....I just don't know what goes together!!!!

[raw_danceruk]

Start with more fruits.. you will soon love the taste and be able to tolerate more greens!

1 Mango, romaine lettuce and 2 limes, surefire..yummy, sweet and tasty!

[RawSinger]

You can do a search on this website. Maybe type in "green smoothie recipes" in the search box. Here are some to get you started:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=39370&highlight=what+is+your+favorite+green+smoothie+rec ipe

[Eveleaf]

I also have had mixed results with green smoothies, so I do my own guildelines.

First, I find pineapple is a must. I love, love love pineapple in my smoothies!

Secondly, I almost always use two bananas. Helps the consistency, IMO.

Third, berries. Too mild tasting, and you'll taste the green. The sweet/sour/citrusy taste of berries covers a multitude of green. :) So I use a generous amt of berries, usually frozen.

After that, start with just a *little* bit of green, use caution, and increase slowly. *especially* if you are using strong tasting greens. Spinach has almost no flavor, which is why it's so often used in smoothies. But gradually you can increase your greens or start using stronger ones. Just do it slowly over time, so you aren't shocked by the results.

Eve

[MiahTay]

I was surprised to find that collard greens are fairly mild tasting as well.

Best of luck!

Heather

[GoingtoRAW]

A must for my smoothies is 2 navel oranges, 1 frozen banana, and frozen sweet dark cherries. I then throw in whatever other fruits I have on hand, maybe frozen or fresh strawberries, mixed berries, whatever. In the morning my smoothies are made only with fruits. My 2nd smoothie of the day is the same except I throw in the greens. I do love spinach because it is so mild. I have also used a little kale in my smoothies. I add a tablespoon of coconut oil and a little raw agave and I am set. I am working my way up to more greens but for now I use more fruit because it's really important for me to enjoy my smoothies.:)

[sherbear4331]

Can you do greens in a regular blender? I would think they wouldn't really blend well, but its all I have... How many of you have regular blenders and do green in them?

[iluvmangos]

Can you do greens in a regular blender? I would think they wouldn't really blend well, but its all I have... How many of you have regular blenders and do green in them?

Regular blenders work fine for green smoothies. I use an old one from the Goodwill store. It's a 14-speed Hamilton Beach model 632-1.

[lafsalot]

Can you do greens in a regular blender? I would think they wouldn't really blend well, but its all I have... How many of you have regular blenders and do green in them?

I started out with a "regular" blender and had no problems with it. Just blend you greens up with water (or juice) first, then add your other ingredients (may have to do it in small increments - it all depends on your blender). ~ Cathy

[Aleesha Sattva]

two great inexpensive e-books which can give you some assistance are:

http://frugalrawnews.blogspot.com/

and

http://loverawlife.com/store.htm

I highly recommend them both!

[Clare]

This is probably cheating, but I started out using a drop or two of liquid stevia or a shake of powder. This way I truly enjoy my green smoothies with plenty of greens. I still do this about half the time, after tasting the finished product.

[sherbear4331]

Thanks guys... I'm gonna try it tomorrow! :D