Healthy Green Berry Fruit Smoothie

Now, 5 1/2 months into the year and with me still holding true to my New Year’s Resolution of exercising and learning to eat healthier, I have decided to incorporate some healthier recipes on my blog. Before you go hit the “unfollow” button, know that I’m not here to turn you into some health nut or convince you, you should be eating a certain way. I’m here to offer better alternatives and options. Do I still eat unhealthy at times? You bet your sweet double stuffed Oreo I do! However, learning to eat healthier and better is a process.

That’s why I’ve decided to begin incorporating some healthier meals into my blog and life. To officially kick off my first healthy recipe, I’m sharing with you, my green berry fruit smoothie.

A perfect energy filled green fruit smoothie. Packed with nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.  Some of you might initially turn up your nose at the thought of a “green” smoothie. Spinach (or kale) is so mild that the fruit literally disguises any taste of it in your drink. If Popeye knew this trick Wimpy would have been trying to score free smoothies instead of hamburgers! “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a green fruit smoothie today.” By drinking these healthy powerhouses he probably wouldn’t have had that belly either.

Now I could snap off on some health rant about all the benefits of what is in this smoothie, but that would take way too long and we would never get to the recipe.  Therefore, I’m sharing links where you can read up on all the health benefits of the ingredients.

Ingredients:

You will need a food process or high quality blender.

I cup of organic baby spinach – Health benefits of spinach

1 organic orange reserve and finely chop 1/4 orange peel for smoothie – Health benefits of orange peel 

1 handful of frozen organic blueberries – Health benefits of blueberries

1/2 peeled banana (bananas are given a bum rap don’t be fooled) – Health benefits of bananas

1/2 handful frozen organic blackberries – Health benefits of blackberries

1/2 handful frozen organic raspberries – Health benefits of raspberries

1 tablespoon raw organic honey plus a drizzle for top of smoothie (honey should not be given to infants under one year of age) – Health benefits of raw honey

1/2 teaspoon bee pollen (bee pollen should be introduced slowly by dissolving 1 to 2 pellets under the tongue to check for allergies) – Health benefits of bee pollen

1 tablespoon organic hemp seeds – Health benefits of hemp seeds

1 tablespoon organic chia seeds- Health benefits of chia seeds

Directions: 

Add spinach and squeeze sliced orange halves with a fork to extract all the juice and pulp. Add finely chopped orange peel and bee pollen. Grind for one minute or until completely blended.

Add peeled banana slices and pour over honey. Mix until blended.

Next, add your blueberries and hemp and chia seed. Grind well until completely blended.

Add blackberries and raspberries. I like to use frozen berries because it makes my smoothie much like a frozen drink, yet not so hard to drink. If you feel your smoothie is looking too much like mud, just add more berries until you get the desired color you like.

You can also add a couple of large frozen strawberries for more taste and texture.

Pour into a glass. I like to drizzle just a bit more honey over the top of my smoothie.

Cheers to your health!