Day Twenty One

I should learn to keep my mouth shut. My husband was happily drinking today's smoothie, even exclaiming how great it was. "I really like this one" he called out while playing Wii with the boys. And then I told him what was in it. My big mistake. For the last two hours he's been complaining that he has a "rice milk after taste" stuck in his mouth. Hhmmm, I think he's worse than the kids ; )
Ok, into the vita-mix today:

• 2 c rice milke
• 2 bananas
• 4 handfuls spinach
• 2 big handfuls frozen strawberries
• a squirt of agave
• a few fresh strawberries (rinsed, with stems in tact)

Blend it all up and off ya go! Enjoy!

Day Sixteen

Today's smoothie was one of those "I have an idea in my head, the smoothie didn't even come close to what I thought so let's add some more random ingredients" kind of smoothies. And I have to say it ultimately did come close to what I had in mind. Whadda know?
I was going for a "Cherry Limeade" kind of thing, but I didn't have enough frozen cherries. So I substituted some frozen strawberries and I think it came out beautiful. Actually, it didn't because it came out kind of a murky muddy green, but the flavor is beautiful. Afterall, its not looks that matter, its what's in the inside right? Well that's what I tell myself. Please don't burst my bubble. Ok, into the vita-mix:

• some green grapes (its what was leftover from my son's snack. I'd say maybe 7 or 8 of them)
• handful of frozen cherries
• handful of frozen strawberries
• 2 keylimes, peeled + a small piece of peel for extra flavor with no added pulp.
• 2 handfuls of spinach
• squirt of flax
• 1 cup of rice milk
• 1 cup of orange juice
• 2 whole dates, pitted
• ICE

I love it. Again, my kids have given it a thumbs down. I think they've gotten into the habit of taking a taste and immediately telling me they don't like it. I don't get it. My older son used to say how much he loved smoothies, telling me he couldn't get enough of them, etc. I dont' know what changed. But I'm determined to find out.

Day Fifteen

Orange Julius anyone? Today's smoothie reminds me of the siren call of those yummy, creamcicle like "smoothies" at the mall. My son plays in a chess club that meets at the food court of our local mall every Monday evening. And they sit at tables between the Orange Julius and a candy store. Its like they are trying to torture me. I usually take a smoothie with me and just sip on it while reading a book or hanging out with the other chess club moms. We're a wild bunch. Don't let the pocket protector's fool you ; )
Ok, into the vita-mix:

• 1 1/2 cups of Rice Milk
• a tsp (ish) vanilla extract
• one banana
• two clementine oranges (peeled)
• couple handfuls of spinach
• ICE

Lots and Lots of ice. Why? Because I wanted it to be thick and milkshake like. To hide the pulp from the oranges. I'm a wimp. I do not do pulp. You may notice over the next few days that my smoothies are getting smaller. I am not finking out on my quart a day challenge, but my husband is a commerical airline pilot so when he's working, I do not make as big of a smoothie. To be honest, today's was much bigger than I intended. It'll be a snack later. And it may be dinner. And possibly breakfast tomorrow. Would you like some of my smoothie?

Day Seven

WooHoo! We made it a whole week! How are you guys feeling? Are you noticing anything different? I'd love to hear how your first week went. Some things I've experienced and have heard from others is that for the first few days you may experience some negative side effects. Especially if you have been consuming a standard american diet comprised of processed foods, refined sugar and lots of white flour, animal protein and fast foods. A lot of people notice a difference in their, um, digestive abilities. Green Smoothies will clear ya out! But that's a good thing! Some other symptoms include headaches, a bit of nausea, muscle aches, etc. These are short lived and its actually your body trying to rid itself of the toxins that the green smoothies are pulling out of your cells. Keep up the green smoothie habit and these symptoms should go away quickly.

Now, onto today's smoothie. I've been experimenting quite a bit lately so today I went totally minimalist. Into the vita-mix:

• 1 apple
• 2 bananas
• 3 handfuls of spinach
• 2 cups of rice milk
• big squirt of flax oil
• ice

I thought it was a bit bland and my husband didn't care for it at all. The kids haven't tried it yet, but I'm going to add some mixed frozen berries for them and that's how I'll drink my second pint this afternoon. Live and learn!

So, what's with all the rice milk lately? My oldest son has been requesting "milk shake" type smoothies this week and I use rice milk to achieve that texture. I'm currently reading the book "The China Study" and it really has me rethinking the amount of cow's milk we consume. Hopefully soon, I'll get around to making my own, raw almond milk. I can really have some fun with that!

Day Six

Oh how I wish I wish I had a camera to show you today's smoothie. Its neon pink. Truly. Like Wet 'n Wild lip gloss circa 1984. Honestly. Husband isn't too excited about the broken camera. I mean there are three of them sitting on the desk in front of me right now. They are all dead. I can't understand why he's upset. I'm doing my best to butter him up for a new one though. Preparing his favorite meals, offering "special favors". Oh sorry. TMI? (I'm KIDDING! Hi Mom!) :D

Ahem, ok on to the smoothie! We're nearing the end of the first week and you know what that means, right? It means we're nearing the end of my produce supply. The kids requested a "smoothie that isn't green" today. Oh, did I mention we're a homeschooling family? No? Ok, so we're a homeschooling family. And smoothies are a big part of our day. We took a month long break ~ from school AND from smoothies during the holidays and getting back into our routine this week has proven to me more challenging than I thought. So, in an effort to get them more on board with the smoothies (they are required to drink them, but honestly Mommy has a much better day when I don't have listen to the whining and negotiating (can I just drink two tomorrow?) and mumbling and the grumbling) I decided to honor their request. They just said it couldn't be green (or have leaves in it *snicker*), they didn't say it couldn't be choke full of healthy goodness! So I grabbed some stuff out of my freezer and off we went!

• The rest of the box of rice milk (approx a cup or so)
• one apple, chopped
• a handful of mixed frozen fruit (strawberries, pineapple, grapes & peaches ~ bag bought at walmart)
• a handful of frozen cherries
• a carrot
• a 1/4 of a beet (frozen)
• some OJ to keep it all movin' in the blender
• a squirt of agave

A beet???? Yes, a beet. I buy a bunch at a time, trim of the greens (keep those for green smoothies!) and cut the beets into quarters then put them in a ziploc and into the freezer they go! I don't use them all of the time, but they do show up in smoothies occasionally. They do have an earthy flavor and while I don't mind it, a little squirt of agave is enough to mask it for the kids. Enjoy!

Day Five

I'm still sans camera and I was fairly busy today so I just threw some stuff in a blender and it came out remarkably well. I love it when that happens! Today's recipe:

• 2 c Rice Milk
• 2 handfuls semi frozen strawberries
• 3 big handfuls spinach
• a banana
• a squirt of agave
• a splash of vanilla extract
• a big handful of ice

Dumped it all in the vita-mix & let 'er rip. It came out like a strawberry milkshake. YUM!

Day Four

Well, its a good thing the last few posts have been fairly picture heavy because today's has ZERO pictures. Why, you ask? Oh my camera died. Its dead. Its ok though because it was a dinosaur. I borrowed it from my FIL a few years ago when my youngest son killed my last one. Throwing a camera onto a gravel driveway? Not a good idea. So, my husband has been talking about getting a new camera soon, so I guess now's the time eh?

Ok, on to the smoothie. I sssooo wish I had a camera because today's smoothie was PHENOMENAL!!! It is divine. Its amazing. Its scrumptious. Have I mentioned how much I like today's smoothie? I've linked to all my ingredients though so you can see what I used.

I wanted something indulgent, but I didn't want to pay for it later. So I thought I'd try something a little different today and it was, well you get the picture. I threw the basic smoothie starter out the window today. And this is what when into my Vita-mix:

• 1 cup of Rice Milk (original flavor)
• 2 bananas
• approx 1/4 cup (maybe a little more) Adam's Natural Peanut Butter
• 3 handfuls of spinach
• 1 tbsp organic cacao powder (I couldn't find raw powder)
• about a tsp of vanilla extract
• a squirt of agave
• 2 big handfuls of ice

It tastes just like a peanut butter milkshake. Oh wow. Oh wow Oh wow Oh wow. Ok, I'm off to hide in the corner and drink all of it. I'll just tell the kids that today's was yucky. If they don't notice the green dribble running down my chin. Mmmm......green dribble. I have to go. A smoothie is calling my name.