Green smoothies are chock full of calcium, iron, fiber and essential vitamins so they make a healthy addition to your diet any day of the week. These three green smoothie recipes will also be a fun, edible treat to make with kids this St. Patrick’s Day before you do some leprechaun crafts.
The basic rule of thumb for any green smoothie is to use 1/2 green, leafy vegetables and 1/2 fruit. Most people start with mild-tasting greens like dandelion greens and baby spinach. Stronger-tasting greens like kale go well with other strong flavors like lemon and ginger.
The fruit will make the smoothie sweeter and more palatable for kids. You can use frozen fruit for a frostier smoothie, but you can also use fresh. Using your favorite flavor of kefir will give the smoothie a creamy, thick texture and healthy probiotics as well as some extra fruity flavor. You can adjust the sweetness to your taste with honey, stevia, agave nectar or the sweetener or your choice. These green smoothie recipes were provided by Lifeway.
Fruity Green Smoothie Recipes:
Spinach Salad Smoothie
Handful of spinach leaves
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup blanched almonds
1 cup Lifeway Kefir
Add ingredients to high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Serves 2.
Kale and Kefir Smoothie
1 banana
2 tsp. flax seed
1 cup of frozen blueberries
1 cup Lifeway Kefir
2 leafs of kale
Remove the stem from the kale – this includes the spine running down the center of the leaves. Add ingredients to high-speed blender and blend until smooth. If the smoothie is too thick, add extra kefir or fruit juice to thin it. Serves 3.
Kefir Dandelion Smoothie
Handful of dandelion greens, stems removed
1 large apple, cored & diced
1 cup Lifeway Kefir
2 tsp. flax seed
Juice from 1/2 a lemon
Fresh ginger to taste
Add ingredients to high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Serves 2.
I just love green smoothies as a fun way to improve your nutrition! Have you tried green smoothies before? What do you think of them?
For more St. Patrick’s Day and Irish ideas, visit a few of my favorite bloggers:
- Irish Dublin Coddle Recipe from Confessions of an Overworked Mom
- Green Shamrock Gummy Candy by This Mama Loves
- Enjoy a Simple Irish Meal featuring Shepherd’s Pie by Day by Day in Our World
- Irish Skeleton Key Necklace by The Socialite’s Closet
- Mint Shower Scrub Bridal Party Favor by A Bride on a Budget
- Skinny Shamrock Shake by Jen Around the World
- Shamrock Smoothie Creation by 2Boys+1Girl=OneCrazyMom
- Mint Chocolate Fluff by Mom on the Side
- Leprechaun Hat Cupcakes by Kids Fun Reviewed
- St. Patrick’s Day Wreath – Dollar Store DIY by MommaDJane
- Green Tea & Peppermint Sea Salt Foot Scrub by Sincerely Mindy
- Matcha Pear Green Smoothie by Upstate Ramblings
- No Bake Mini Mint Oreo Cheesecake by Sugar Spice and Family Life
- Mini Banofee Pie by Beyond Mommying
- Green Smoothies for St. Patrick’s Day by Family Focus Blog
- Send Them Out the Door Ready for a Good Day by Beautiful Touches
I am definitely trying the dandelion one this summer. We always have tons of them!
I’ve never tried dandelion so definitely going to add this one. Love Kefir. It’s a plus that it includes ginger as I love anything that has ginger in it. Ginger and Peach together are my fave! Thanks for the recipes.
Looks awesome! Thanks for sharing 🙂 The dandelion one is interesting, I’ve never had that before so will try :). We have one on our blog if you’d like to check it out here, too: http://whatsupusana.com/2015/03/usana-test-kitchen-st-patricks-day-green-smoothie/
Thanks for sharing these recipes! Cant wait to try them they look super nutritious and delicious
Yum! These look so good! I love smoothies, especially smoothies with fruit!