Salad in a Cup or Green Smoothie

The GREEN SMOOTHIE is my go to when I don't have time to chop, cook, or plan. It is like drinking a salad and sometimes that is nice because at times I just don't have time to sit down and chew, chew, and chew some more. The other bonus is that my kids LOVE them! I always feel like a super mom when I can get my kids to drink spinach, kale, and Swiss chard. It really just makes me feel better when the rest of the day they eat cereal, dino-nuggets, and quesadillas.

The other great thing about these magic drinks is the energy you have after you drink them. They make your insides want to dance because they are getting so many nutrients they need to function properly. You're body is actually satisfied because you are giving it what it needs! Try one and you will be hooked for life. Here are 2 of my favorite drinks...

California Citrus
8 oz Orange Juice - more if needed
2 handfuls of spinach
2 kale leaves (without the stems, just tear the leaves off the stems)
1 Swiss Chard Leaf (without the stems)
1 c frozen peaches
1/4 c frozen pineapple
1/4 c frozen mango
Juice of 1/2 lime (you can just use 1/4 if you don't prefer a strong lime taste)

Blend in Vitamix or Blendtec
I have never made these drinks in a regular blender, but my guess is that you'll have some big pieces left over. But give it a try and you might just have to chew a bit.

Purple Paradise
8 oz of Apple Juice
2-3 handfuls of spinach
1 collard green leaf, stems removed
1 large cucumber
1/2 c frozen blueberries
1/2 c frozen peaches, or pears, or nectarines, or banana

Blend

BTW, I didn't mention that at one time in my teens I had the coveted job at Zuka (Jamba) Juice, so I have some serious credentials to back me up...

You really can play around with these, there are SO many different ways to make them.