Flash Freezing Fruit And Veggies
The way I freeze my fruit is called Flash Freezing. Technically flash freezing is a process in which food is very quickly frozen at extremely cold temperatures. Foods are flash frozen so that as many nutrients are retained as possible, and to make sure that the food is as fresh and flavorful as it can be. But you can do the fake version of flash freezing at home.
To Flash Freeze:
- 1) Wash and/or peel your fruit/vegetable thoroughly.
- 2) Place flat on a baking tray. Its best if your product isnt touching, but it isnt the end of the world if it is.
Yes it really is that simple. Look how perfect it looks after it is frozen. I left some of the stems on for when I make a green smoothie. Our favorite fruit to freeze for smoothies are:
Easy 3 Ingredients For A Green Smoothie
The basic smoothie recipe only has three ingredients so easy! You just combine your favorite leafy green vegetable, fresh or frozen fruit, and a liquid .
You can also include other healthy ingredients such as chia seeds, coconut oil, peanut or almond butter, hemp seeds, flax, cocoa , cinnamon, acai powder, or even protein powder in your smoothie for extra benefits or flavor.
Try A 10 Day Green Smoothie Challenge
If you want more recipes, green smoothie tips, and a 10-day challenge to kickstart your smoothie habit, check out our Simple Green Smoothies book! Youll get tasty plant-based smoothie recipes, shopping list and community support. #kaleyeah
Whether youre passionate about raising an awesome family, traveling the world, reading new books, creating the latest fashion trend, starting a new job or something totally different we want to make sure youre able to go after that as best as possible. You need LOTS of energy and nutrients to fuel you passions.
Lisa here again! Here are some more green smoothie recipes to try 🙂
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Are Smoothies A Good Way To Get Vegetables
Smoothies usually have more fruits, but adding vegetables to them can give them more thickness and a touch of freshness, and they also add an extra layer of flavor and give them more freshness. Its also a great way to get some veggies into your diet if youre not a big fan of them because mixing them with fruit in a smoothie can mask their flavor, but keep the nutrition and the good stuff.
All veggies can essentially be turned into smoothies , and smoothies are a convenient way of consuming nutrients that may be otherwise missed during regular meals.
Is It Safe To Put Frozen Spinach In A Smoothie
Using frozen spinach in your smoothies is totally safe. In fact, using frozen spinach would be a great way to boost the nutritional value of your smoothies and thicken them.It is also believed that frozen spinach is more nutrient dense than fresh spinach as its typically harvested and frozen almost immediately.
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How To Pick A Healthy Smoothie At The Store
When perusing the grocery store, take the guidance of Maggie Moon, MS, RD, Los Angeles-based registered dietitian and best-selling author of The MIND Diet to choose the best bottled smoothies. She recommends prioritizing:
- whole ingredients
- balance of healthy carbohydrates, protein, and fat
- presence of micronutrients, like potassium or iron
What to avoid:
Should I Use Fresh Or Frozen Fruits And Veggies In Smoothies
This really depends on what youre adding, the texture youre going for, and how much liquid you want to add.
First, I highly recommend either fresh or defrosted leafy greens if you dont have a high powered blender.
However, for things like cauliflower, broccoli, or even some squash, like butternut, I use frozen regularly.
I typically always use frozen fruit because of the cost. If you use all fresh fruits and vegetables, your smoothie will be much thinner and probably require less liquid.
In addition, I really enjoy adding frozen bananas. Its a great way to use up overripe bananas freeze them and use later! They tend to add a milkshake type consistency.
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Is Leafy Green Lettuce Healthy
It is an excellent source of vitamin A, which contributes to healthy eyes and skin. The greener the leaf, the more nutrients it provides. Green leaf lettuce is the most nutritious variety when stacked up next to iceberg and romaine. All lettuce varieties are low in calories, so any choice is a clear winner.
The Best Ratio For Leafy Greens In Smoothies
Dont just throw everything in your blender and keep your fingers crossed itll turn out well. Chances are itll taste awful!
Its better to plan your green smoothie and decide on the ratio of fruits and veggies youre going to use. If youre a green smoothie beginner, start slow and work yourself up!
In the beginning, a 50/50 ratio is a good start. That means 50% of veggies and 50% fruits. Fruits act like a spoonful of sugar that makes you enjoy your medicine .
I know many people are concerned about adding too many fruits can let your blood sugar spike.
I wouldnt worry about it too much.
Its more likely youll keep your new habit of making green smoothies if you can enjoy the taste. Once youre getting used to green smoothies, you can easily reduce the number of fruits and add more leafy greens. An 80/20 ratio is a great ratio to aim for once youre more experienced.
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What Are The Healthiest Things To Put In A Smoothie
Other tips for adding fruit to your smoothies: Freeze single-serving baggies of fruit to replace ice for extra nutritional value. Use fresh or frozen fruit theyre equally nutritious.Great fruits to try in your smoothie include: Oranges. Peaches. Pineapples. Strawberries. Raspberries. Grapes. Pears. Blackberries.
Three Vegetable Smoothie Recipes
One of my nutrition goals is to make sure to fuel my body with nutritiously dense foods.
One of my favorite ways to get in some quick, easy, and healthy nutrition is with smoothies! I know adding vegetables to smoothies can still be a little taboo for some, so I wanted to create 3 veggie-packed smoothie recipes for beginners.
First of all, I promise you cant taste the veggies, and you wont even know that theyre there.
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Smoothie Ingredients For Added Protein
This is all about the best veggies to add to your next smoothie. However, there are other ingredients that arent fruit that you could consider adding to your smoothies if youre looking for more protein.
- Seeds: Hemp seeds, chia seeds, and ground flax seeds are delicious ingredients to add to any healthy breakfast, including smoothies!
- Nut Butters: My favorite nut butters to add to smoothies are peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter.
- Plant-Based Milk: Using plant milk instead of water in your smoothies is an easy way to get more protein and healthy fats. My favorites are almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, or oat milk.
- Protein Powder: This is a great option for packing your creamy smoothie with protein. My favorite protein powder is Vivo Life Perform Protein Powder.
Do You Have To Wash Frozen Vegetables
For most store-bought prepackaged frozen vegetables, no you dont have to wash them. Part of the process that these veggies go through for preservation involves washing and trimming them, then blasting them with boiling water or steam. This process is called blanching and usually removes any harmful bacteria. After blanching, they are then flash frozen before more germs can invade your precious veggies.
If you are still worried about germs or have a compromised immune system, then you can always blanch them yourself a second time. However, by doing this you are most likely going to make the veggies mushy. They will also lose some of their nutrients, texture, and the flavor might also go off. That part might not sound bad for blending them, but it may make your smoothie have an odd aftertaste.
Please notice that Im saying blanch and not bleach. Definitely do not bleach your vegetables. Thats super duper bad in every way.
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Make Smoothies Ahead For The Perfect Fast Food
We know life can get crazy busy especially in the morning. Thats why we think green smoothies are the healthiest fast food for people who are constantly on the go.
You can blend your green smoothie the night before and store it in your fridge . Use an airtight lid to limit oxidation and keep it as fresh as possible. When ready to drink, give it a good shake before you open.
If you follow these five green smoothie tips, we pinkie promise your green smoothies will be love at first sip!
Now, heres a favorite recipe we make for friends and family whove never tried a green smoothie before
Best Blender For Vegetables & Smoothies 2022 Reviews
From chopping and crushing to mixing and puréeing vegetables & fruits, blenders can do it all.
Here in this article Best Blender For Vegetables & Smoothies weve rounded up 12 of the best blenders of various types, specifications, and budget. Below, youll find in-depth reviews of each, as well as an elaborate buying guide for the best blenders.
If youre wondering what the best blender for vegetables and fruits is for the money the answer is largely dependent on how often you use the appliance. For infrequent use, an inexpensive budget option could very well be the right choice for you.
Keep in mind that most high-end blenders can tackle just about anything, although, a high price tag doesnt necessarily mean a better blender, but it does typically mean a longer-lasting one.
Benefits of Using A Blender For Vegetables & Fruits
From pureeing to emulsifying veggies and fruits, blenders bring a whole new skill set to your kitchen and can play a part in every meal from breakfast to dinner, even dessert.
Powerful motors and smart designs prep fast and help cut down on the time you spend laboring in the kitchen. Plus, they easily prepare nuts and other tough ingredients in a snap.
With a nice blender at home you can chill out with tasty homemade vegetable and fruit smoothies & frozen drinks. Refresh your routine every morning with a powerful blender that takes on fruits and veggies of all sizes and provides different settings for the perfect consistency and texture.
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The Best Frozen Fruit For Smoothies
The key to a great smoothie is using great ingredients. Having frozen fruit on hand makes it so easy to whip up a smoothie anytime. You can use fresh fruit, but frozen fruit gives your smoothie that nice icy thick texture.
You can definitely buy bags of frozen fruit, but when I can,I I like to freeze my own. You can enjoy the fresh fruit, and when it is just past that point of peak ripeness, freeze the sweet delicious flavor of it and use it for a smoothie. Plus you can buy your produce when it is in season at a better price.
Prep Work: How To Freeze Smoothie Ingredients
I highly recommend using frozen fruit and veggies in a smoothie pack. Using previously frozen fruits and veggies will guarantee that the ingredients dont stick together once mixed in a pack and placed in the freezer. You can purchase frozen fruits and veggies from the store, or purchase these items fresh and freeze them yourself.
For fruit, I recommend flash freezing the fruit first in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. This works well with in-season fruit and sliced bananas. Once the fruit is frozen , place the fruit in a storage container/bag to use later, or divide the fruit into individual smoothie packs.
For veggies, steam the chunks in water for just a few minutes until slightly soft. Then flash freeze the chunks in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Once the veggies are frozen , place the veggies in a storage container/bag to use later, or divide the veggies into individual smoothie packs.
I also like to add a probiotic to my smoothies, either in the form of yogurt or kefir. To do this, pour the kefir or yogurt into ice cube trays, and then freeze the trays. Once frozen, place the cubes in a storage container/bag to use later, or divide the cubes into individual smoothie packs.
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What To Put In Smoothies My Favorite Add
There are of course many other add-ins that I love, but these are my go-tos.
What I love about smoothies so much is you can add in so many nutritious ingredients to blend up and you have a quick and easy meal that is loaded with vitamins, nutrients and will leave you feeling amazing.
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Is It Safe To Eat Frozen Spinach
A frozen spinach is healthier than a fresh spinach Fresh spinach loses some of its vitamins and folate over time, so if you do not eat it immediately, it will be less healthy. Frozen spinach keeps nutrients in the nutrients-dense form they are intended to be kept in when frozen, so it is important to keep it on hand in case of an emergency.
Can Frozen Spinach Have E. Coli?
Is spinach safe to eat? If yes then how E coli is found in spinach? Frozen spinach is not only E coli-free, but it is also free of disease. E. coli is effectively destroyed when frozen spinach is blanched with hot water or steam before being frozen. All low-acid foods, including baby food and canned spinach, must be heated to 230 degrees Fahrenheit or higher to kill E. coli.
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How Do You Freeze Fresh Vegetables For Smoothies
While there are a few ways to freeze fresh veggies, the first and foremost thing you absolutely must do is to wash them thoroughly. If you do not wash your vegetables properly, then you can get sick. Since you arent using them for cooking, there isnt that sanitizing heat to kill all the germs that may be on the vegetables.
After washing them thoroughly in hot water, large vegetables such as celery, zucchini, and cauliflower, should be cut up for ease of storage. Smaller vegetables such as spinach can be frozen right away unless of course, you want to cut them up, thats up to you. The smaller they are, the faster and better theyre going to be blended up later.
I highly recommend blanching veggies before freezing, even after washing. Its another step, but it will ensure every germ is dead.
One way to freeze veggies is to store the prepared vegetables in air-tight freezer containers or bags and stick them in the freezer. Sometimes they can stick together, so you might want to separate them into single serving sizes before freezing.
Another way is to stick them into ice trays to freeze. After they are fully frozen, they should be stored in an airtight freezer-safe container. Leaving them in the ice trays isnt recommended, as they may become contaminated by other things that are in the freezer.
Water Or Other Liquid
Last, but definitely not least, is water. You can use plain water, or try coconut water, coconut milk, almond milk, or any other liquid base of your choice.
Like with the other green smoothie ingredients, you can also use a combination of liquids as long as it totals two cups.
If youre really into smoothies and would like a copy of the 5 best smoothie recipes here on 100 Days of Real Food, you can grab it from our Free Membership Area !
Lisa Leake
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Almond Butter And Jelly Smoothie
Sip on this delicious and healthy almond butter and jelly smoothie for a refreshing breakfast or snack. Made with 5 simple ingredients and done in just 5 minutes! The temperature is warming up and Im craving all things light, cool, and refreshing! This almond butter and jelly smoothie TOTALLY hits the spot, if you are
Why Cook With Frozen Vegetables
There are many benefits to cooking with frozen vegetables:
- They eliminate the need for washing, chopping, and clean-up.
- Frozen vegetables are quick additions, making it easier to add more produce to your meals.
- They last a whole lot longer than fresh which is extremely beneficial when you are limiting trips to the grocery store, or if our fragile food supply gets interrupted.
- Frozen vegetables are usually more budget-friendly.
- They offer year-round access to out-of-season produce.
- They fall into the real food category promoting health and vitality.
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Naked Fruit And Veggie Smoothie Kale Blazer
“Naked Kale Blazer is more of a green juice, but without any added sugar, is a great way to pack in a punch of nutrition especially when on-the-go,” offers Fine. “I like that it gets in juices from both veggies and fruit, which helps to reduce the overall sugar content as compared to other competitive options.”6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
Odwalla’s Original Superfood Fruit Smoothie
Think twice before you pick up this tempting bottle. “One that I find particularly misleading is Odwalla’s Original Superfood Fruit Smoothie, which is green and covered in imagery of whole fruits and vegetables,” says Moon. “The first ingredient is a filler juice filler juices refer to juices like clarified apple and grape juice. They dilute the more expensive ingredients, and they don’t offer much positive nutrition. Plus, anything that makes it green, when all combined, makes up less than 1% of the smoothie. It’s fat-free, and has minimal protein or fiberso it’s not going to be very satisfying. For all these reasons, I’d avoid this smoothie brand’s bottle, even though it’s high in potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C .”
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