Green Smoothie Recipes from The Emerald Lounge

- by Stacey Terry

One of the wonderful benefits about taking part in a Green Smoothie Challenge, especially a LIVE challenge, is the level of sharing that goes on among the participants.  People get out their blenders, look at their fruit baskets, make leafy green selections from their local stores and gardens, and they CREATE.

Whenever people send us recipes, we post them for all our Green Smoothie Queen members to enjoy in The Emerald Lounge (our online members forum).  Today I thought I’d post a couple recipes to get you through the weekend!  Many thanks to our program participants, Vanetta and Margot, who sent these in!

And if you’d like to become an Emerald Lounge Member and check out the recipe collection, you just need to sign up for one of our programs!  You can take a free program like our 3-day Green Smoothie Mini-course, or if you’re up for more fun, we have a LIVE green smoothie challenge called the Summer Slurping Sensation coming up on June 13th, 2010.

Happy Slurping this Weekend!

Grapey Green Smoothie

Vanetta Stephens
(makes approx. 1 pint)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup fresh red grapes
• 1/2 kiwi
• 1 cup of frozen berry mix: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries.
• 2 stalks of celery
• 1/2 cucumber

Directions:

I covered these ingredients with water… just enough to make it blend, and pureed.

To this mixture I added grape leaves. They are kind of stringy and strong tasting. I’m used to them, but you’ll have to use your judgment and comfort level for how much you use. As The Queen has suggested somewhere on this site, taste them first, then go with your preference. You can always add more. I have 3 grape vines that get loaded with grapes and leaves, so the supply is almost endless and FREE!

• I added 1 Tbsp. each , of flax seed and chia seed (optional)
• Then add 1 -2 cups of greens of YOUR choice.

Whir it all up, and enjoy!!! You can add more water or more of anything to suit you.

NOTE: I googled raw grape leaves and discovered they are VERY nutritious.

One for the Road

Margot Weening
(makes about 16 ounces)

Ingredients:

• Fill blender 2/3 full with mixed greens (I used romaine, dandelion greens, 1 large handful fresh cilantro)
• one (peeled) cucumber
• 1 organic Red Delicious apple
• squeeze of lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp. grated frozen ginger
• 1 banana
• 3 c. spring water

Directions:

Blend thoroughly.  After emptying blender I take about another 1/2 cup water to rinse it and I add this water to smoothie

NOTE: If I make this for the road, and have time, I strain this through a stainless steel strainer/juice bag. I do this because if it sits unstrained for a spell, much of the pulp rises to the top and imbibing in public has proved challenging, unless you bring a spoon!

I often save the pulp to add to flax crackers. If not, I empty it onto my garden as is. Really no need to compost!