How And Why To Rotate Your Greens For Smoothies
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The superstars of green smoothies are the leafy greens since they are absolutely LOADED with phytonutrients, protein, vitamins, antioxidants and the list goes on, and on, and on. But theres also something we feel is very important for you to know about when drinking green smoothies, before you continue to throw your *favorite* greens into your high powered or regular blender especially if youre drinking them daily its called
ALKALOID BUILDUP. Yup, leafy green veggies contain small quantities of alkaloids as well as other phytotoxins like oxalates, goitrogens, arsenic, and opium as a way to warn the unwelcome grazers in the fields to move on to another plant family before eating it all up.
By eating the same type of green all the time, these alkaloids can build up in the body, leading to negative side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headache, rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, depression, or anxiety. Sure sounds like a scare tactic to us, doesnt it? The truth is, alkaloids ARE poisonous in large quantities, in small quantities they will not hurt us, and even strengthen our immune systems.
Blendtec Total Classic Blender
The blending action of Blendtecs Total Classic Original Blender starts with purposefully dull blades. They crush produce and turn to mush the tough fibers that make greens so hard to get right for smoothies. The Blendtec cylinder on which the blades are mounted creates a vortex in your smoothie that pulls ingredients into the blade rather than pushing them out. The result is a smooth, light green drink.
Like our top pick, its simple to clean. Just add water and a little soap and itll clean itself through the power of its motor. Its also got programmable cycles for maximum versatility. In fact, its got so much utility that if you want it to, the blades whirl with enough friction that itll even warm soup.
What you wont like about it is the price. Its not coming cheap. You wont like the noise, either. Youd be forgiven for thinking the world is coming to an end.
If the price of the first two elevated your heart rate, Ninjas Professional Countertop Blender ought to bring it right down. Its affordable, but its not cheap.
It does a pretty good job grinding things up, although it doesnt get greens quite as smooth as our top two. It doesnt have a lot of moving parts, so its pretty easy to clean and there isnt much risk of losing components. Its also got a big pitcher, so you can make a lot of smoothie at once and enjoy it throughout the day.
- Loud
Best Greens For Green Smoothies
If you are making regular green smoothies, its very important to use a variety of greens in your smoothie.
Its much better for your health if you get a variety of nutrients from different types of foods so this advice would apply to your whole diet, not just your green smoothies.
For some people eating the same greens every day for a long period of time may lead to a toxicity build up. For example some people report not feeling too well after a sensitivity to oxalic acid in spinach.
Some people are fine eating a lot of greens and others have to limit their intake of greens so just listen to your own body and vary your diet as much as possible.
Its easy to get stuck in a rut and just keep adding spinach to your smoothie. I am as guilty of this as the next person and I blame the lack of variety of greens that I can access in this country, but I am going to try growing more of a variety myself.
Its great to grow your own as you know its not sprayed with pesticides and is much better for you. Another great way to ensure a variety is to buy a bulk load of different types of greens and freeze them in portion sizes. Make sure you label them and vary the greens you use every time you make a smoothie.
Here are the top 10 best greens for green smoothies to ensure you get a variety in your green smoothies.
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Beyond Spinach 15 Tasty Greens You Should Also Blend In Your Green Smoothie
Dark green leafy vegetables are perhaps the most potent superfood on the planet.
When most of us make green smoothies, we reach for spinach or kale. And then thats all we useforever.
But there is a whole world of leafy greens out there that add a diversity of phytonutrients.
Some greens are more nutritious than others, and some have different antioxidant and phytonutrient profiles, so change things up by rotating your leafies!
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 pinky 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
Read Also: How To Make A Healthy Green Smoothie
Are Smoothies Healthy
- Yes! BUT. The key to making a healthy smoothie is to include the right balance of veggies, fruit, protein and fat.
- Adding vegetables, especially dark leafy greens like Swiss chard, kale and spinach really help to up the nutritional value and keep it lower in sugar.
- Mixing up the ingredients also helps ensure a well rounded nutritional diet.
Smoothies can be a very healthy addition to your nutritional plan, but they can also quickly become calorie bombs if you include too many added sweeteners or too much of a high calorie ingredient like nut butters. Read more about building a healthy smoothie on Everyday Health.
How To Freeze Carrots
This tutorial on how to freeze carrots includes everything you need to know about preserving carrots for future use. Youll learn how long to blanch carrots, how to store them in the freezer, and how to use frozen carrots in recipes.
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my affiliate disclosure.
When it comes to preserving food, the freezer is one of the most valuable tools. A well-stocked freezer can help you put meals together even when the fridge and cupboards are bare, cut down on grocery bills, and enjoy batch cooked meals at a later time.
But one of the best uses of the freezer is being able to store veggies that would otherwise go to waste. If you find yourself purchasing too many carrots by accident, receiving a ton of them in a CSA box, or having a particularly successful harvest in your backyard garden, this post is for you!
In the sections that follow, youll learn how to freeze carrots so that you can enjoy them at a later time and avoid food waste.
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More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
- My son is obsessed with this Mango Orange Smoothie recipe
- Try this tropical Pina Colada Spinach Smoothie to head to the beach asap
- Want to boost your metabolism? Then this is a great fat burning green smoothie recipe
- This kale smoothie will surprise even your taste buds
If you have any questions about the green smoothie world, feel free to join the Smoothie Challenge Support Group.
A Few Tips To Make The Healthiest Green Smoothie
1. Start with fresh, organic greens
Youre probably drinking a green smoothie for the surge of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, right? So its best to keep your greens as fresh, clean and nutrient-dense as possible. Hit up your farmers market for just picked produce or grab some organic greens from your grocery store. The key here is to steer clear of pesticide residues and wilty greens which wont pack the nutrient punch youre looking for.
Dark leafy greens that work well in smoothies include kale, spinach, and chard. But you could switch that up with romaine, mustard greens, dandelion greens and celery as well. You dont want to fall into a food rut, so make sure to alternate your greens.
2. Choose a healthy liquid base
Youre gonna be adding whole fruit to your smoothie, so its best to steer clear of fruit juice as the base. This will also help to limit the total amount of sugar in your smoothie. Good liquids include filtered water, coconut water and nut milks . Homemade nut milks are better than store bought as they wont contain thickeners, emulsifiers, additives and other nasties. Theyre also super easy to make, so give them a try!
3. Add a variety of fruit
Some greens will make this easier than others. For instance, spinach is pretty mild so youll acclimate to less fruit faster. Kale on the other hand is quite strong and you may need more fruit to get used to the flavor.
4. Dont forget some healthy fats
5. Boost it with superfoods and mix-ins.
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Fruit To Use In A Green Smoothie
Here are some suggestions for fruits to use in this green smoothie recipe. In this post I used half mango and half pineapple, which is my favorite combination! Be aware, that if you use darker fruits like blueberries, blackberries, cherries, etc. the color will change and you will likely make a brown smoothie that is delicious but not green in color!
- mango
- celery
Garden Of Life Raw Organic Perfect Food Green Superfood Powder
“This tastes so good that it doesn’t have to be mixed into a smoothie, making it even simpler to get all the benefits of a greens powder without taking the time to make a smoothieâor a mess. We just stir it into water, no blender needed,” says The Nutrition Twins, Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFT and Tammy Lakatos Shames, RDN, CDN, CFT, and authors of The Nutrition Twins’ Veggie Cure. “It’s an easy way to pack in lots of antioxidants with 34 raw superfoods. We love that it’s organic and non-GMO verified and contains prebiotics and probiotics. Plus, it’s not super calorie-dense , so you still can eat an entire meal to get even more nutrients.”
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Aicok Amr521 Leafy Greens Juicer Best Overall
The Aicok AMR521 Juicer has slow grinding with 80 RPM to reduce heat and friction. This masticating juicer has a 150-watt motor and a seven-segment spiral system for minimal oxidation and maximum juice extraction. It has a function to separate out the juice, allowing it to extract the nutrients from the fruits and vegetables and leaving less pulp. Its easy to clean, and all the internal parts are BPA-free and dishwasher safe. This juicer is also a lightweight model. The noise level runs at less than 60 decibels for quieter operation.
One issue with this model is that replacement parts are unavailable. The brand does, however, offer a two-year warranty. While disassembly is a breeze, it will take some dexterity to reassemble.
With an affordable price, quiet operation, and ease of use, this is our overall choice for the best juicer for leafy greens for the money.
The Mueller Austria MU-UJ-1 Ultra Juicer spins at 60 RPM to allow for drier pulp. This masticating extractor has 150 power watts and a wider feed chute than many other models. The anti-drop design helps with easy cleanup and no messes on the counter. Its an easy-to-use machine with a quiet operation and a safety sensor that ensures the juicer wont operate until all parts are correctly in place. This brand offers a two-year, no-hassle warranty and will include two additional years if you register your product directly with the manufacturer.
What Greens To Put In Smoothies
When youre making a smoothie, youll likely reach for some fruit and yogurt, a splash of milk or juice and a handful of ice. But while youre in the refrigerator, grab a handful of veggies as well. Although your greens arent usually served in beverage form, blending them into smoothies is an easy way to sneak more vegetable servings into your daily diet.
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Avocado Mango Smoothie With Spinach
This creamy avocado mango smoothie has a vibrant green color and delicious taste. In addition to the two headliner ingredients, it has spinach, lime juice, and a splash of vanilla extract. Enjoy this easy vegan recipe for breakfast, after exercise, or as an afternoon snack!
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my affiliate disclosure.
Oh man, do I have a treat for you todayTHE perfect smoothie for this time of year! Ive been wanting to post a smoothie creation with avocado for quite some time. After all, avocado goes with just about anything! So naturally, its perfect in a nutritious drink.
Including healthy fats, like the ones found in avocado, in smoothies or salads helps you absorb more nutrients from the greens. Even more, youll feel fuller and more satiated when you eat good fats, and you may not feel the need to snack or overeat at your next meal. Pretty cool, huh?
It gets better. The combination of ingredients makes for one unbelievably creamy green smoothie! Its like dessert. YUM. Since I experimented with this avocado mango smoothie recipe last week, Ive already had it 4 times.
Whether Its Salad Night Or Youre Beginning A New Meal Routine These Leafy Greens Will Keep It Healthy
Sure, you try to be good during the week and bring a salad to work, or order it as a side instead of fries. But the same old green salad can become a stale choice very quickly.
Luckily, you have options. Here are seven of the best greens to pick when opting for something a little healthier along with some ideas on how to prepare them.
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You Need These 7 Leafy Greens In Your Daily Diet
You should add these nutritious leafy greens to your dishes if you want to eat healthily. Theyre satiating, full of health benefits, and incredibly tasty.
Choosing a healthy lifestyle comes down to a balanced diet, not just hitting the gym every day. And every healthy and balanced diet must contain leafy greens. They can have a much more beneficial effect on your health than you would ever think.
A diet that is filled with leafy greens will come with great health benefits. Here you can include a reduced risk of heart diseases, obesity, and even high blood pressure.
You can include in the list of benefits other things like glowing skin, a boost in your digestive enzymes, and they are even good for reducing belly bloating.
You dont need any more reasons why to eat these vegetables. The only thing you need is a list of the best leafy greens that will provide you and your body with all these benefits.
Bagotte Fruit & Vegetable Juicer
The Bagotte DB-001 Juicer is a centrifugal model with 400 power watts. It operates with minimal noise and a dual-speed electric motor. It has a wide feed chute and a safety locking arm to ensure a secure cover during operation. Another safety precaution is when the temperature exceeds 105 degrees Fahrenheit, the motor will automatically stop. This juicer can accept whole produce on the smaller side, so you may have to cut up larger items. It includes a low speed for soft produce and a high speed for hard produce.
While working well with hard produce, the juice extracted from soft produce is not maximized, leaving a great deal of moisture in the pulp. This juicer would be one of the best juicers for kale on our list. The users manual indicates that after six minutes of continual use, the unit should sit for 60 minutes to cool down, making this inconvenient for most users. However, this is a cheaply priced model.
If you have a limited amount of time, this may not be an ideal choice for you.
The Aobosi AMR520 Juicer operates at 80 RPM with a no-heat build-up and a motor of 150 power watts. This model is a masticating juicer that separates the juice from the pulp, works well with leafy greens, and has a narrow feed chute for safety. All produce must be seeded and peeled to prevent clogging. It has a reverse speed to assist if jams occur. This juicer is an all-plastic construction model, but the removable components are dishwasher safe.
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Vitamix E310 Blender Best Overall
Vitamixs Explorian places super-sharp stainless steel blades atop one of the most powerful motors of any blender for cutting action that practically liquifies greens. With just a little bit of liquid, youll plop in fibrous kale and spinach and think youre blending mushy strawberries, bananas, and yogurt.
For all that power, its quiet. Itll give you no stress making a bunch of racket blending up a breakfast smoothie. Its simple to clean, despite the fact that the blade column isnt removable. Just pour some warm water into the basin with a drop or two of dish soap and turn it on. It self-cleans in a minute.
The other thing that makes this a great blender for greens is that green smoothies help strengthen your heart, which youre going to need once you look at the price. Its super expensive.
All in all, we think this is the best blender for green smoothies out there.
- Prepare for sticker shock