Fruit and greens ready for blending
While visiting my parents last weekend I discovered a sad truth. Not all Whole Foods have smoothie bars. Not a surprise, I’m guessing, to those of you who didn’t realize any Whole Foods have smoothie bars, but a disappointment to me who depends on a Farmer’s Garden Smoothie to transform the checkout line from frustration station to my own personal happy hour.
Chopped spinach and kale
Luckily, it’s the world’s easiest smoothie to recreate at home. If you’ve been hesitant to try green smoothies (like our Organic Green Smoothie), this is a great first step because it has all the health benefits of a green smoothie plus the familiar creamy sweetness of a strawberry/banana blend. Strawberries are beautiful now, but using frozen fruit keeps the smoothie even colder, so the recipe is just as good out-of-season as in. I also like to peel and freeze ripe bananas so I have them for this smoothie (or banana bread).
Question–where do you stand on protein powder? I had been anti for a long while but I’m coming around to it now after experiencing one too many post-smoothie energy crashes. One scoop of vanilla whey protein rounds out the flavor, adds creaminess and keeps me energized until lunch. I finally stopped filching from my husband’s protein jars and bought my own, which makes it official. I’m a fan.
Enjoy!
xoxosl
Farmer's Garden Smoothie
Farmer’s Garden Smoothie
adapted from Whole Foods smoothie bar
Makes 2
Ingredients
1 small bunch kale, washed and finely chopped
1 small handful spinach, finely chopped
1 medium banana, cut into chunks
4 strawberries, cut into chunks
1 cup orange juice
1 small handful frozen blueberries or raspberries, about 4-5 berries (optional)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth. Kale refuses most blitzing efforts so be patient and keep pulsing until it is puréed enough for your taste.
Enjoy immediately.
xoxosl
6 Comments on Farmer’s Garden Smoothie
1Pingbacks & Trackbacks on Farmer’s Garden Smoothie
-
[…] Do it quickly before they turn. Freeze them or make a quick frittata, green smoothie 1, green smoothie 2 or this basic green soup. Creator Anna Thomas calls the best tasting medicine in the […]
Katie
May 11, 2011 at 9:09 am (12 years ago)I want this, like NOW! Looks so great. Question: what kind of protein powder do you like and where do you find the best ones?
Chris
May 11, 2011 at 10:08 am (12 years ago)I make this daily and buy large bags of frozen strawberries and blueberries from Costco.
Melissa
May 11, 2011 at 11:13 am (12 years ago)While I am not the biggest protein fruit smoothie fan, my husband swears by it and has one every morning. He uses Isopure Whey Protein and it is available at GNC and the Vitamin Shoppe. He uses frozen berries, one fresh banana, rice or soy milk, and 2 scoops of protein powder.
He is in incredible shape and makes it a priority to get as much protein in his body as he can. I do too, and will sometimes have a smoothie in the morning, but I am more of an eggs and toast gal.
Julie and Lauren
May 11, 2011 at 12:48 pm (12 years ago)I wish I could have this again right now. I love the frozen fruit part to make the drink chilly.
Xx
Jennifer
May 11, 2011 at 8:31 pm (12 years ago)Looks beautiful! I find that if I use almond milk or So Delicious coconut milk instead of the orange juice, it helps alleviate the blood sugar spike without the protein powder. Although protein powder is great, too, when I have some on hand. I like NutriBiotic organic rice protein — blends well, and no allergy concerns.