Citrus Breeze Smoothie

Green smoothies are my go to breakfast, unless I’m craving protein – and then I go for eggs.

I started making green smoothies about 2 years ago, when I purchased a Vitamix on impulse at Costco. I had tried making a green smoothie or two with my regular blender and they were tasty but had a texture that was less than desirable. Steve, always good natured, slogged through them but it was a bit of a grind, literally. So when I saw the Vitamix my intention for such an extravagant purchase was that I would use it to make healthy green smoothies.

Now often the best intentions don’t work out as planned but this is one that really did. I figure I’ve eaten more greens in the past two years, since I got my Vitamix, than I have in my entire lifetime – easily. I go through a large bag of mixed greens or spinach about every 4 days, and for the first time ever I’ve also made it through all of the fruit that ends up in the freezer after the summer. Raspberries, saskatoons, the peaches from my friend Mona, and even some rhubarb all go into the blender.

My basic ‘recipe’ for 1 green smoothie is this; put 3/4 cup of liquid in blender, add 4 cups green leafies, blend till smooth. Add banana or avocado, which helps to smooth out the flavours. Then add just enough frozen fruit to make it sweet enough. You can get soooo creative with green smoothies as just about any combination will work. Just know that if you use red fruits like strawberries or raspberries you don’t end up with vibrant green coloured drinks, you end up with a colour that I like to think of as milk chocolate brown.

When I started eating paleo I worried a bit about the sugar content in my smoothies spiking my blood sugar and making me hungry for the rest of the day. That hasn’t happened though and I just feel better when I include a green smoothie in my day. Besides what could be an easier way to consume a bunch of greens?

Citrus is fairly low in sugar, but you have to remember that it can also be quite tart so more banana may be required to smooth out the flavour. Frozen grapes would work to sweeten it up a bit too but I use them sparingly as they are very high in sugar.

Citrus Breeze Smoothie

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1

Author: Mia Staysko

A fresh, tart start to your morning!

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Ingredients

• 3/4 Cup coconut water or water
• 4 cups washed organic mixed greens or baby spinach
• 1 banana
• 1 medium orange peeled
• 1 small section lime you can leave the peel on but it will make the smoothie more tart
• 1 small slice fresh ginger optional
• 1 small handful grapes frozen if you'd like it a bit sweeter

Instructions

1. Place coconut water and greens into high powered blender
2. Blend until smooth, about 20 seconds
3. Add banana, citrus and frozen grapes if using to blender
4. Blend on high until entirely smooth
5. Enjoy!