Is there a National Day for everything now? Who knew there was a Green Juice Day? Well, apparently someone has declared January 26th to be Green Juice Day. So, why not celebrate it with a new green beverage creation?
I’m not really a green juice fan, and I don’t have a juicer, but I’m always up for something more like a smoothie, so we’ll go with that. I know, it won’t have the concentration of nutrients that a green juice might, but it will work for me. It’s been a bit too cold and wet for me to really be in the mood for juice and smoothies. But after a couple weeks of downright cold days and heavy downpours, we actually have been enjoying a break in the weather, with highs in the 60s, maybe even low 70s, so figured a smoothie might be just the thing. And it’s a perfect time of year to find fresh Kiwi and even pineapple.
Since I had some kiwi that had seen better days languishing on the counter, getting a bit shriveled, I figured that was the best way to use them. As far as pineapple, while I’ve seen the fresh in the grocery stores and even Costco lately, I didn’t want to deal with carving up a fresh one, so pulled out a bag of the frozen pineapple cubes I like to keep on hand for such an occasion. I also had some bananas needing to be used, so flash froze banana slices for a bit for extra sweetness, and threw in a half an apple that was starting to show its age. While I spied a bag of frozen berries in the back of the freezer too, I opted out of adding those. I like my green smoothies to be just that….GREEN, a nice bright green, not some weird shade of brown or muddy olive green. Of course we have to have some leafy greens, and fresh baby spinach makes a beautiful healthy smoothie that doesn’t taste bitter or grassy.
Smoothies need liquid to get them nicely blended and smooth enough to sip through a straw if you so choose. You can always add water, but why do that when you can add something to give it more zing and maybe some health benefits too? I added a good splash of coconut water as well as some pineapple juice to really up the flavor.
With a few minutes of blending, I made probably the best green smoothie of my life! Dare I say, even better than Jamba Juice Apples & Greens (my usual go-to when I have the chance)? It was also a whole lot cheaper and got me to use up some produce that may have been destined for the compost bin.
So now I’m thinking I might make smoothies (and maybe green juice?) a regular part of my Winter diet. It does brighten up a dreary winter day!
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This bright green smoothie is delicious anytime, and especially nice when kiwi are in season. This “recipe” is not exact, and more like a guideline, since I didn’t really measure and threw what I had together in my Vitamix. It’s a great way to use up some fruit that may not look picture perfect, but still can some great flavor, fiber, and nutrition to a smoothie.
Ingredients
- 1 very ripe, soft kiwi, scooped out of the peel
- frozen pineapple chunks (about 8-10)
- 1/2 fresh green apple, core and seeds removed, but not peeled
- frozen banana slices (about 1/2 banana)
- Handful of fresh baby spinach, washed well
- Coconut water as needed, or to taste
- Pineapple juice as needed, or to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, starting with about a half cup of coconut water and pineapple juice. I use a Vitamix and use the smoothie setting.
- If the mixture isn’t blending completely, add more coconut water and pineapple juice (or regular water) as needed to allow the mixture to blend thoroughly and to make the smoothie the consistency you prefer.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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