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 easy 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 baby spinach. Stronger-tasting greens like dandelion greens or 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 easy green smoothie recipes were provided by Lifeway.
3 Easy 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 easy green smoothies as a fun way to improve your nutrition! Have you tried any healthy 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
- Matcha Pear Green Smoothie by Upstate Ramblings
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 :).
Yum! These look so good! I love smoothies, especially smoothies with fruit!