Live Green Smoothies

[samina]

Okay, upon request, am happy to share info regarding what live green smoothies are, why I'm crazy about them, and how to make them! :)

I think GREENS are a special entity unto their own -- to my mind, they should be their own food group. Heavily mineralized, alkalizing, detoxifying, builders (rich in amino acids), and filled with living enzymes that, especially when combined with fresh fruit, seem to work absolute magic in the the body.

To make a Live Green Smoothie:

Into a blender, toss a large handful of raw dark greens (spinach, parsley, arugala, and baby romaine are good starting choices). Two cups of greens is a good rough measurement to get a feel for the amount.
Add some sweet fruit to taste (a couple bananas, a mango, a couple pears, etc)
Add spring water to the point where the mixture won't explode out & all over your kitchen.
Blend til smooth -- may 30-60 seconds. Adding a few ice cubes can help things along, and I'm partial to drinking my smoothies on the cool side.
Pour your smoothie into transportable containers with some ice, rinse your blender out with water (forget the soap...), and hit the road!So many benefits to drinking these, but the proof is in the smoothie, so-to-speak. Gotta try them to see. :)

[edited note: there are so many variations to this basic recipe, and lots of goodies one can add... i think the possibilities are virtually infinite!
the one rule, though: absolutely nothing cooked or canned. and, while i do occasionally add frozen berries, "frozen" is definitely not "live".] :D

Happy blending!
Samina

[fascination]

am going to the grocery store tonight or tomorrow morning and tomorrow begins the experiment

[samina]

am going to the grocery store tonight or tomorrow morning and tomorrow begins the experiment

yay! can't wait to hear about it :)

(go out before the snow comes...!)

[quixotedlm]

Will it work if I add soy (edamame beans) to it?

[alemana]

i just eat my greens. i love them. drinking them - i dunno. i don't get why.

[Chris Stratton]

the one rule, though:absolutely nothing cooked or canned.

Just be careful - during the e.coli - contaminated spinach problem, one of the deaths was of a young boy who had his spinach in the form of such a smoothie.

Not that it was making it into a smoothie that was the problem (except perhaps by increasing the quantity). Or even that it was spinach - raw food, especially that has been handled, presents some risk along with its benefits.

(Would irradiating it break your rule?)

[samina]

Will it work if I add soy (edamame beans) to it?

if you can sprout fresh edamame, go to it... i add sprouts all the time. sprouts have many, many times the nutrition of the eventually mature plant.

i believe raw, unsprouted beans are virtually inedible/undigestible. and, i believe, most edamame i've purchase have been both cooked & frozen.

personally, i stay away from soy in most forms. i attribute my having put on an unbelievable amount of weight in a short period of time to an over-consumption of soy products. soy is a phyto-estrogen in the body, and can contribute to creating an estrogen-dominant system, which is thyroid-inhibiting.

read: radically slows down your ****bolism and prematurely ages you. it was a very traumatic experience for me, one i wouldn't wish on anyone else and which i have no interest in repeating.

fwiw, i also do not add protein powders or dairy products of any kind to these smoothies.

[samina]

i just eat my greens. i love them. drinking them - i dunno. i don't get why.

you'd be surprised. it's a mind-blower how delicious these can be! :)

[quixotedlm]

read: radically slows down your ****bolism and prematurely ages you. it was a very traumatic experience for me, one i wouldn't wish on anyone else and which i have no interest in repeating.

Is this gender specific? I've been drinking protein shakes, esp. soy based ones, for 2+ years. Combined with regular workouts and cautious nutrition balancing, it's been very healthy for me.

[samina]

Just be careful - during the e.coli - contaminated spinach problem, one of the deaths was of a young boy who had his spinach in the form of such a smoothie.

(Would irradiating it break your rule?)

Certainly, everyone has to take care regarding the cleanliness of their food supply. Most people do not really pay attention to that.

Perhaps contaminated food supplies are more related to an overall unwholesome approach to food cultivation than to anything else. I'm not an activist in that regard, tho -- I'll leave debate of that issue to the industry watchdogs & political bulldogs. <g>

I personally would not eat food that I knew was irradiated. Purchasing from smaller, well-known producers is for me a more sensible solution.
:)

[samina]

Is this gender specific? I've been drinking protein shakes, esp. soy based ones, for 2+ years. Combined with regular workouts and cautious nutrition balancing, it's been very healthy for me.

yeah, it's definitely pertinent for women.

and if what you're doing works for you, why change? :)

if you try making the live green smoothies, tho, you might want to try them soy-free, to see if they have any added value to what you're already doing.

[alemana]

i'm not more careful with the Food Scare of the Week than i am with anything else - gotta take a long view of these things.

marion nestle has a big chapter about soy in her latest, WHAT TO EAT, and does a great lit survey of the conflicting evidence on soy in the diet. her conclusion: inconclusion.

[fascination]

meh, life's fatal...can't cover all the bases...rinse your veggies and go

[samina]

i'm not more careful with the Food Scare of the Week than i am with anything else - gotta take a long view of these things.

marion nestle has a big chapter about soy in her latest, WHAT TO EAT, and does a great lit survey of the conflicting evidence on soy in the diet. her conclusion: inconclusion.

yeah, alemana, i can't think of anything dietwise that doesn't seem to be debated somewhere. :)

i go by what works for me & what doesn't. and i don't think there's one pat approach that's meant for everyone, in the same way, at all times, y'know?

i'm also very *un*neutoric about food -- i don't have a lot of rules, and i don't want to live in a way that makes me obsess about food.

in that context, processed soy products (soy proteins, anything made with "soy isolate", etc.) are for me perhaps the only thing i absolutely have, to the best of my ability, removed from my diet. no debater could ever change my mind on that account. lol

[samina]

meh, life's fatal...can't cover all the bases...rinse your veggies and go

yep-yep!

[samina]

well, actually, fast-food retaurants have also ceased to intersect with my reality... but that's just something that happens naturally i think, when you increasingly clean up your food. that stuff just starts to taste so fake & nasty...

[fascination]

cept for taco bell(occasionally)

[bjp22tango]

cept for taco bell(occasionally)

:cool: :rolleyes: I've always thought Taco Bell tasted fake, but that doesn't stop me from eating there (occasionally) LOL

Taco Time and Taco Bell both came to my neighborhood about the same time in the 70's and, though Taco Time seemed closer to "authentic", I always liked Taco Bell better.

[bjp22tango]

Hmmm. Regarding the Live Green Smoothies, I'll have to give it a try. As a matter of course, I hate eating green things. They taste too much like grass to me. (Yes, I tried lawn grass (as opposed to the other type) when I was a child)

Maybe with a bunch of bananas and pears I'll be able to bear them.

I do used canned pears in my smoothies. I freeze them and use them instead of ice cubes to make the smoothies cold.

[Joe]

Where's the puking emoticon?

[samina]

I do used canned pears in my smoothies. I freeze them and use them instead of ice cubes to make the smoothies cold.

No canned pears allowed in your Live Green Smoothies, or I'll come throttle you with some hefty rhubarb! LOL

:D
Samina

[samina]

Where's the puking emoticon?

Oh for pete's sake. You and Peaches, two of a pair. <g>

I'm tellin ya, Joe... if I whipped up a parsley-mango-young coconut smoothie, poured it over some sweet strawberries and topped it with chopped macadamias, I bet even you would be purrin like a kitten...!

:)
Samina

[Peaches]

Not our fault we're steak, corn on the cob, and tater tots kind of people!

It's only recently that i've tolerated fruit on salads. I don't like my fruits and veggies to mix. And there's just something about drinking veggies which just seems...wrong.

But, if you're suggesting coming to my place and making food for me, you're more than welcome. I hate cooking.

[samina]

Not our fault we're steak, corn on the cob, and tater tots kind of people!

hey, i hear ya -- that food has its appeal. fresh-picked corn so sweet ya don't hafta cook it... mmm and i love good steak -- i never got the vegetarian thing to work for me, no matter how many times or ways i tried it.

there's just something about drinking veggies which just seems...wrong.

something happens to greens & fruit when you blend'em that seems to be more than what they achieve separately. don't know why, but they taste so amazingly fresh together, and in most cases you can't taste the greens at all (including arugula).

it's more like "essence of pear", or mango, or grape...

well, we'll hear some reports from fascination soon, so we'll see what a newbie's take is on it. LOL

[samina]

I hate cooking.

a born smoothie-maker... can't possibly take more than 2 minutes.

including cleanup.

LOL

[Joe]

steak smoothies!

[Peaches]

*gack* Suddenly I'm not so hungry anymore.

[fascination]

agree hurl...btw, dh bought these steak and potato potato chips...also hurl

[DancePoet]

Okay, upon request, am happy to share info regarding what live green smoothies are, why I'm crazy about them, and how to make them! :)

I think GREENS are a special entity unto their own -- to my mind, they should be their own food group. Heavily mineralized, alkalizing, detoxifying, builders (rich in amino acids), and filled with living enzymes that, especially when combined with fresh fruit, seem to work absolute magic in the the body.

To make a Live Green Smoothie:

Into a blender, toss a large handful of raw dark greens (spinach, parsley, arugala, and baby romaine are good starting choices). Two cups of greens is a good rough measurement to get a feel for the amount.
Add some sweet fruit to taste (a couple bananas, a mango, a couple pears, etc)
Add spring water to the point where the mixture won't explode out & all over your kitchen.
Blend til smooth -- may 30-60 seconds. Adding a few ice cubes can help things along, and I'm partial to drinking my smoothies on the cool side.
Pour your smoothie into transportable containers with some ice, rinse your blender out with water (forget the soap...), and hit the road!So many benefits to drinking these, but the proof is in the smoothie, so-to-speak. Gotta try them to see. :)

[edited note: there are so many variations to this basic recipe, and lots of goodies one can add... i think the possibilities are virtually infinite!
the one rule, though: absolutely nothing cooked or canned. and, while i do occasionally add frozen berries, "frozen" is definitely not "live".] :D

Happy blending!
Samina
The title of this thread reminded me of lime green socks. :lol:

[DancePoet]

i just eat my greens. i love them. drinking them - i dunno. i don't get why.
I'm with you. Either way we get the same nutrients, so why bother to turn it into liquid?

[DancePoet]

you'd be surprised. it's a mind-blower how delicious these can be! :)
I'm sure I would. ;)

[DancePoet]

i'm not more careful with the Food Scare of the Week than i am with anything else - gotta take a long view of these things.

marion nestle has a big chapter about soy in her latest, WHAT TO EAT, and does a great lit survey of the conflicting evidence on soy in the diet. her conclusion: inconclusion.
Lovely.

[DancePoet]

:cool: :rolleyes: I've always thought Taco Bell tasted fake, but that doesn't stop me from eating there (occasionally) LOL

Taco Time and Taco Bell both came to my neighborhood about the same time in the 70's and, though Taco Time seemed closer to "authentic", I always liked Taco Bell better.
Never been to a Taco Time, but had a taco from Taco Bell once.

The key word there is "once". ;) :lol:

[DancePoet]

Where's the puking emoticon?
:lol:

[DancePoet]

Oh for pete's sake. You and Peaches, two of a pair. <g>

I'm tellin ya, Joe... if I whipped up a parsley-mango-young coconut smoothie, poured it over some sweet strawberries and topped it with chopped macadamias, I bet even you would be purrin like a kitten...!
There are things that get me to purr, but the taste of coconut isn't one of them. ;)

[DancePoet]

steak smoothies!
Don't give them any ideas or they might start mixing this with their green one's.

Maybe they'll even try mixing it with potatoes! :shock:

[DancePoet]

*gack* Suddenly I'm not so hungry anymore.
:lol:

[samina]

I'm with you. Either way we get the same nutrients, so why bother to turn it into liquid?

nah, see, that's the thing... you don't get the same nutrients.
in one, all the living enzymes have been killed, in the other, they are alive. very different effect in your body...

[samina]

*gack*

had to laugh, peaches...my first thought when i read joe's steak smoothie idea was... "GACK!"

never heard that word before, but it has officially entered the forefront of my brain, thanks to you. LOL

[samina]

btw, dh bought these steak and potato potato chips...also hurl

never heard of those things! huh.

[samina]

There are things that get me to purr, but the taste of coconut isn't one of them. ;)

yah, i know, some people aren't into coconut. young coconut is so delicate, tho... buttery soft, like custard, and very fragrant.

and did you know that coconut water is apparently identical to human blood plasma? it was used during WWII for emergency blood transfusions, siphoned directly from the nut.

when one also learns that the chlorophyll molecule greatly resembles the structure of hemoglobin, i don't think it's a stretch to comprehend why one feels like one's had a transfusion of life after having a live green smoothie made with young coconut & fresh greens.

having that experience makes coconut all the more delicious to my taste buds. :)

[Chris Stratton]

It's a vegan vampire!

[samina]

It's a vegan vampire!

LOL

exactly!

[fascination]

I'm with you. Either way we get the same nutrients, so why bother to turn it into liquid?
cuz then the stuff you like the taste of can hide the stuff you don't;)

[fascination]

There are things that get me to purr, but the taste of coconut isn't one of them. ;):cool: the taste of caymus or farniente for instance

[samina]

:cool: the taste of caymus or farniente for instance

mmmmm.... :cool:

[samina]

cuz then the stuff you like the taste of can hide the stuff you don't;)

i will say one thing...blended raw spinach & cooked fresh spinach aren't remotely related, tastewise

<my mind is still on the caymus cab... am actually salivating! LOLOL>

[samina]

:cool: the taste of caymus or farniente for instance

this past summer i made some fabulous watermelon/mint/rum smoothies -- the mint, of course, makes them sufficiently "green"... and they are certainly quite lively!

LOL

[Terpsichorean Clod]

I remember making celery smoothies in college. Whenever I offered smoothies to my roommates, I had to promise that I hadn't spiked them with corn or peas. :twisted:
i will say one thing...blended raw spinach & cooked fresh spinach aren't remotely related, tastewise

<my mind is still on the caymus cab... am actually salivating! LOLOL>
When I had my wisdom teeth taken out, I had chicken & spinach (together) smoothies. :cheers:

[samina]

I remember making celery smoothies in college. Whenever I offered smoothies to my roommates, I had to promise that I hadn't spiked them with corn or peas. :twisted:

When I had my wisdom teeth taken out, I had chicken & spinach (together) smoothies. :cheers:

have never put celery in my smoothies -- dunno if my blender could handle all that strong fibrous string, and the taste doesn't appeal to me. i also don't put corn or peas, although i make some delicious warmed raw soups with fresh corn...

i use radish all the time in my smoothies, tho -- they are incredibly healthful & beautifying.

chicken... will remain on the sidelines. :)

[Peaches]

I've decided that this thread is like a car wreck. I can't help but look.

I know that when I do I'll read something that will make me queasy, and that the simple solution is not to read this thread, but I just...can't...resist...!!!

[DancePoet]

cuz then the stuff you like the taste of can hide the stuff you don't;)
Hmmm ... why put it in if you can't taste it?

Well ... ok maybe for the nutrients? But then again, find the nutrients elsewhere. :cool:

[DancePoet]

:cool: the taste of caymus or farniente for instance
To name only a couple. ;) :D

[DancePoet]

this past summer i made some fabulous watermelon/mint/rum smoothies -- the mint, of course, makes them sufficiently "green"... and they are certainly quite lively!

LOL
Hmmm ... might might give this a try.

[Terpsichorean Clod]

I've decided that this thread is like a car wreck. I can't help but look.

I know that when I do I'll read something that will make me queasy, and that the simple solution is not to read this thread, but I just...can't...resist...!!!
Indeed! Car wrecks turn one's neck. This thread turns one's stomach. ;)

[samina]

I've decided that this thread is like a car wreck. I can't help but look.

I know that when I do I'll read something that will make me queasy, and that the simple solution is not to read this thread, but I just...can't...resist...!!!

peaches, you are a doll and you always make me smile :)

rubberneck to your heart's content...

[samina]

Hmmm ... why put it in if you can't taste it?

Well ... ok maybe for the nutrients? But then again, find the nutrients elsewhere. :cool:

the greens make these smoothies taste so fresh...

i wonder why we never consider "freshness" a taste in itself. i guess we're not used to tasting it.

[samina]

Indeed! Car wrecks turn one's neck. This thread turns one's stomach. ;)


stomach-turning, huh?

more like...pure vitality. essence of fruit. liquid sunshine...

car wreck indeed <ck!>:rolleyes:

[fascination]

okay ready for this???? I like them I like them sam I am !!!!!!!!!!!...pun intended

pinapple mango and spinach (okay, and a tiny bit of maraschino cherry)...yummmmmmmmmmmmmm delish...my new fruit and veggie plan...watch the next 20 leave...woot

[samina]

okay ready for this???? I like them I like them sam I am !!!!!!!!!!!...pun intended

pinapple mango and spinach (okay, and a tiny bit of maraschino cherry)...yummmmmmmmmmmmmm delish...my new fruit and veggie plan...watch the next 20 leave...woot

<doing happy dance...> :D :D

woo-hoo! so glad to hear it... i knew you'd like'em!

fascination, if you can manage two blenderfuls a day, you are gonna be so hot & svelte & fabulous by heritage... watch out! :)

[samina]

now you've gotta get some really good quality coconut oil: extra-virgin cold pressed or virgin coco-creme.

here are a few links to check that scene out. add a heaping spoonful (no limits on this) to each smoothie, especially before lengthy workouts.

beside the immune system- and ****bolism-enhancing qualities of coconut oil, it's a medium chain fatty acid which your bought can use DIRECTLY for fuel, without storing first -- very much like carbs, except that your insulin level doesn't spike. what happens is you feel the most wonderful HEAT elevation in your system, and then you experience this great steady burn of energy. there's nothing else you can compare it to.

coconut oil is a miracle in itself. there are other cool things you can add, but this would definitely be the #1 non-fruit-&-vedge ingredient to start with.

http://www.alissacohen.com/shop/product.php?productid=4&cat=5&page=1

http://www.sunfood.com/cgi-bin/order/index.cgi?id=903810370782&d=single&item_id=0459&c=Raw/Organic_Food&sc=Oils/Liquids&tc=

[samina]

wow... just made one of the most delicious green smoothies ever... w/ sweet potato!

two mangos, one fuji apple, one peeled sweet potato (raw of course), 2-3 leaves very tender organic kale, some coconut oil, water, dash himalayan salt...

fluorescent pea-green appearance (i actually find this color very cool, like liquid sunshine you get to drink...) and deliciously sweet and mild. very creamy, almost milky in taste. but so, so re-freshing.

i've been making these things for a year and a half & they still blow my mind... i wish i'd grown up with them. seems so strange that something so fabulous & easy seems so foreign to our culture... like a secret that could only have been deliberately kept.

but anyway...yum.

[Me]

*blink*

Wow why am I reminded of the SUPER BASS-O-MATIC! commercials from Saturday Night Live? :D

I do see the healthful benefits of consuming raw, high fiber foods. I think I will try making one of these smoothies. I can see how it would be very healthful and energizing... if I can keep it down. ;)

Samina do you use organic fruits and vegetables? If not, you should try it - unpleasant tastes I often associated with fruits and vegetables (ie that fishy taste broccoli sometimes has) was actually the pesticide, and not the food. The only way I can describe it is... when I installed water filters in my home, after a week or so I could smell the chlorine in other peoples' tap water and would not drink it.

Have you tried adding live cultures (ie yogurt) to your smoothies?

I read what you said earlier about the soy. Avoid, avoid, avoid! There are new studies coming out linking soy consumption to estrogen related cancers. I have cut it completely from my diet, except for whatever soy is used in some of the processeed foods I eat... foods which I am steadily elliminating from my diet. Processed foods = bad.

[samina]

*blink*

Wow why am I reminded of the SUPER BASS-O-MATIC! commercials from Saturday Night Live? :D

eeeewwww!!! LMAO

if I can keep it down.

your first time out, make it sweet & not too thick. i predict you will be surprised at what it's like... :)

Samina do you use organic fruits and vegetables? If not, you should try it - unpleasant tastes I often associated with fruits and vegetables (ie that fishy taste broccoli sometimes has) was actually the pesticide, and not the food.

i get organic when i can, and won't purchase certain fruits & vedge if organic is not available, because they're known to retain higher levels of pesticide residue. and i regularly use others that are traditionally grown (non-organic).

broccoli is one that apparently does not retain high levels of pesticide residue, but you are so right about the taste -- IME organic broccoli is sweeter, more tender, and less "strong" tasting.

Have you tried adding live cultures (ie yogurt) to your smoothies?

i do not add dairy products to my smoothies. i want only pure fruit & vedge in them; dairy has a clogging effect and slows down one's digestion. of course, people make smoothies with milk and/or yogurt all the time. but i would not consider them "live green smoothies"...

I read what you said earlier about the soy. Avoid, avoid, avoid! There are new studies coming out linking soy consumption to estrogen related cancers. I have cut it completely from my diet, except for whatever soy is used in some of the processeed foods I eat... foods which I am steadily elliminating from my diet. Processed foods = bad.

i think this can only be a good thing... there's apparently an epidemic of thyroid dysfunction in our country, and i would not be surprised at all if the two are directly related.

let me know how your smoothie adventure goes, Me! have gotta say, i notice repeatedly that a week on the smoothies very quickly diminishes fullness in the tum area.. ;)

[fascination]

going to have a pineapple mango banana one with celery and spinach today...part of the cleaning out the ice box issue

[samina]

hey, that sounds good!

over xmas, my sister-in-law in tampa was telling me that since she started with the smoothies a year ago, she stopped throwing produce away. everything gets tossed into the smoothies... which IME tend to really like over-ripe fruit & vedge.
:)

man, my icebox could use a good cleaning, too...

[chachachacat]

I'm having a banana, pear, spinach and parsley smoothie, and it's good!
Tastes like the fruit. I don't know how it can NOT taste like spinach, but it doesn't!

So, Samina, what are the benefits of these smoothies?

[samina]

I'm having a banana, pear, spinach and parsley smoothie, and it's good!
Tastes like the fruit. I don't know how it can NOT taste like spinach, but it doesn't!

i know... isn't that cool? to me, greens mostly taste like freshness when they're raw... still amazes me how they blend so gorgeously with the fruit

So, Samina, what are the benefits of these smoothies?


living enzymes and other phytonutrients that haven't been killed by heat... rich minerals (esp. if eating organic fruit & vedge grown in well-mineralized soil)... you've got the whole food, there, fiber & all...

results in better digestion (faster & more complete)...
alkalization of one's system (most people's systems are far too acidic, resulting in a plethora of ailments, including arthritis & stiffness)...
greater sense of well-being (for many reasons, no doubt, but let's just first start with better-absorbed calcium & magnesium)...

if you do enuf... gorgeous skin. when i've gone on a jag away from predominantly raw foods -- such as right now -- it is the change in my skin that compels me back before anything else. when i stay at around 85% raw fruit & vedge (nuts & seeds included), my skin is beautiful & absolutely glows. when i go low-raw, fuggedaboudit... not pretty. ;)

easy weight loss/weight maintenance. again... another reason compelling me back.

just a few high-level things... a whole book can be written on a breakdown of the specifics... wait a tic... one IS being written! *lol*

[samina]

pro & his partner have gotten on the live green smoothie kick... my bottle at dance class has become a communal cup...

pro's very funny descriptions about everything carry over to these as well... "hmmm... <sip sip>... this one looks particularly... er... swampy... but good! <appreciate nod>"

cracks me up...

[Peaches]

pro & his partner have gotten on the live green smoothie kick... my bottle at dance class has become a communal cup...

pro's very funny descriptions about everything carry over to these as well... "hmmm... <sip sip>... this one looks particularly... er... swampy... but good! <appreciate nod>"

cracks me up...I kept thinking about the "swampy" description. Right on.

OK. I will say it here, publicly, for all to see.

You were right, and I was wrong. You were right, and I was wrong. You were right, and I was wrong.

Not bad at all. Gotta find something to do with the pears that are about as ripe as they can get without being rotten. Maybe tomorrow.

Can I make these at night and put them in the fridge overnight, or will they get strange on me? (I figure shaking would be mandatory.)

[Peaches]

Other question.

You and F have mentioned mint. Which kind, and how much. (DH says he'll grow me some.)

Edit to add: "grow me some"??? Yeah, I'm a college graduate. Can't you tell from my wonderful grammar? *mutters to self* "grow me some." Eesh. Public school...

[samina]

lmao.. i'm just tickled that you tried them!

pear w/ spinach is brilliant, one of my faves. and overripe fruit were made for these smoothies... stuff i'd cringe at eating straight is wonderful added to the blender w/ the greens...

yah, if i have leftovers i'll pop'em in the fridge & have them in the morning. but this is definitely not something to make & keep. make in the morning, keep on ice & drink by end of day, or make at night & finish in the morning... that'd be my max suggestion. i have been known to finish a bottle late the next day, but not my habit.

i wanna know more about what you end up trying! :)

yay, peach... so cool!

[samina]

Other question.

You and F have mentioned mint. Which kind, and how much. .

any kind... handful... alone or mixed with other greens.

peach, it is almost impossible to ruin these things. you know your taste... if you like mint a lot, add a lot; if not, not so much.

mint pairs nicely with watermelon, with honeydew, with pear, with mango, with peach, with grapes.

oh yeah... green grapes are awesome in smoothies. as are kiwi. and plums. separately or all mixed together.

ok. i'll shut up now. lol

[Peaches]

peach, it is almost impossible to ruin these things.Famous. Last. Words.

You don't know what happens to me in kitchens. It ain't pretty.

[mamboqueen]

Famous. Last. Words.

You don't know what happens to me in kitchens. It ain't pretty.

You're not alone. My smoothie won't be "live" by the time I'm done with it!

[Peaches]

You're not alone. My smoothie won't be "live" by the time I'm done with it!Have you ever had neighbors call the fire company while you were cooking? I have... (Not kidding...happened twice.)

[samina]

lol... yah... just go ahead & try... live things blend so well...

peach, if you like vanilla shakes, put a huge handful of spinach, 2-3 bananas, a bit of vanilla extract & blend it up with water & a bit of ice.

[Peaches]

Oooh...green vanilla...

I'm gonna need a bigger blender. And more bananas.

[Peaches]

Hmmm...new idea for D-F girl get together...smoothie tasting. Otherwise I'm gonna make myself sick trying different varieties. (Patience isn't my strong suit...wanna try them now, dammit.)

[samina]

then maybe we can get you onto raw cocao beans... and definitely cold-pressed coconut oil... mmmm

[samina]

Hmmm...new idea for D-F girl get together...smoothie tasting. Otherwise I'm gonna make myself sick trying different varieties. (Patience isn't my strong suit...wanna try them now, dammit.)

i've got a gay friend who wants to set me up doing smoothie parties for his circle of friends, so many of which are into health/fitness/beauty... i think it's a brilliant idea... smoothie parties with a whole run of versions... some alcoholic, even. :cool:

i taught a class last year on it & did pretty much that... just no cocktail versions.

[Peaches]

Coconut oil scares me.

Grew up with the cholesterol coconut oil horror stories...kind of seared into my brain. And then I found it in the (organic, of course) grocery store the other day. Frightening.

Then again, I said the same thing about drinking spinach...

[Peaches]

i've got a gay friend who wants to set me up doing smoothie parties for his circle of friends, so many of which are into health/fitness/beauty... i think it's a brilliant idea... smoothie parties with a whole run of versions... some alcoholic, even. :cool:

i taught a class last year on it & did pretty much that... just no cocktail versions.Well, we've talked about the live blackberry margaritas! Not sure I'd want to sully a good blackberry margarita with spinach, though. Got to draw a line somewhere.

Reminds me of an (actually interesting) version of Tastefully Simple parties. Apologies to any reps out there...

[samina]

no cholesterol issues... those studies were done using hydrogenated coconut oil, not the natural stuff.

coconut oil actually helps stabilize cholesterol... research how it helps the thyroid & how that's connected to cholesterol use... fascinating subject.

all my research & experience points to it being hands-down the healthiest fat out there...

[samina]

Not sure I'd want to sully a good blackberry margarita with spinach, though. Got to draw a line somewhere.

.

i bet it would even more invigorating... and so fresh-tasting!

of course, could make them go down a bit more easily... dangerous.:cool:

[mamboqueen]

Have you ever had neighbors call the fire company while you were cooking? I have... (Not kidding...happened twice.)

You may have me slightly beat. When I first moved into our house, I spaced and put a pizza box in the electric stove. Alarms went off shortly thereafter. That had never happened in the gas stoves I was used to using.

Actually, my cooking is pretty good. I just hate doing it anymore.

[delamusica]

Have you ever had neighbors call the fire company while you were cooking? I have... (Not kidding...happened twice.)

No - but using the kitchen in my dorm freshman year of college, I did set off the fire alarms and everybody had to go outside. Twice. In one afternoon.

The ironic thing was that I wasn't burning any food. The pans that they had down there were really old and something ended up smoking.

Not my food, though. My food came out perfectly. :)

[chachachacat]

Fire drills were a favorite pastime of my freshman dorm-mates. Esecially in the wee hours of morning to see who was sleeping with whom.
Males were highly suspected. We had a ridiculous amount of them.

[SlowDancer]

OK, Samina, I think I've finally figured out the part of this concept that's hanging me up here...it's the "live" part, together with "green"...sounds vaguely amphibian. Still, I'm planning to try to find my blender this weekend and throw something together...no spinach, though...maybe mint leaves...yeah, that's the ticket.

[DancingForPassion]

OK, Samina, I think I've finally figured out the part of this concept that's hanging me up here...it's the "live" part, together with "green"...sounds vaguely amphibian. Still, I'm planning to try to find my blender this weekend and throw something together...no spinach, though...maybe mint leaves...yeah, that's the ticket.

I make these smoothies too, but add Spirulina, Dulse, Dinosaur Kale, Seaweed, anything green with the fruit. Haven't tried the coconut oil yet, but will this weekend. It helps me to have enough energy to (survive) dance practice 3-4 hours per day, when I used to feel really dranined after practicing that long.

[and123]

...sounds vaguely amphibian.

Kermit in a blender? :p

I would love to give this a try too (not poor Kermit - I mean some of Samina's recipes). Gotta get a more substantial blender, and get over the fact that spinach and arugula make my stomach churn.

[samina]

OK, Samina, I think I've finally figured out the part of this concept that's hanging me up here...it's the "live" part, together with "green"...sounds vaguely amphibian. Still, I'm planning to try to find my blender this weekend and throw something together...no spinach, though...maybe mint leaves...yeah, that's the ticket.


ha... amphibian... very gross association... understandable if you're hung up for that reason. :)

fyi, tho: spinach is far more neutral & "fresh"-tasting than mint..

[samina]

Kermit in a blender? :p

ew... lol

Gotta get over the fact that spinach and arugula make my stomach churn.

start with spinach... i guarantee you won't even taste it...

[Peaches]

Kermit in a blender? :p

I would love to give this a try too (not poor Kermit - I mean some of Samina's recipes). Gotta get a more substantial blender, and get over the fact that spinach and arugula make my stomach churn.Ha! I ran across an article on the BBC site the other day which mentioned some "health drink" or other which was basically blender-ized live frog. Plus some other stuff, but live frog was the main ingredient. Whole new meaning to "live green smoothies."

[Peaches]

start with spinach... i guarantee you won't even taste it...I'll vouch for that. You don't taste spinach--it just kind of mellows the other flavors somehow. And tastes...um...fresh, as Sam has insisted since the beginning.

[samina]

:mrgreen:

[spectator]

Pubmed is the best place to check the "health giving" qualities of food. They gather real evidence either way, rather than relying on anecdotal evidence. An example, Broccoli actually does have cancer fighting properties which aren't destroyed by your digestive system. I'm not sure how well chlorophyll would compare to haemoglobin, but maybe I'm thinking of it from a functional/chemical point of view...

[SlowDancer]

Ha! I ran across an article on the BBC site the other day which mentioned some "health drink" or other which was basically blender-ized live frog. Plus some other stuff, but live frog was the main ingredient. Whole new meaning to "live green smoothies."

Umm..."GACK"! Did anyone ever find that hurling emoticon?

[DrDoug]

Ha! I ran across an article on the BBC site the other day which mentioned some "health drink" or other which was basically blender-ized live frog.

Does the package have a large, red label that says "Warning! Lark's vomit"?

[SlowDancer]

I'll vouch for that. You don't taste spinach--it just kind of mellows the other flavors somehow. And tastes...um...fresh, as Sam has insisted since the beginning.

OK, I believe you...still gotta find that blender...I've moved several times in the past two years (long story) and most of my kitchen stuff is Lord-knows-where...or maybe I'll spring for a new one this weekend.

[and123]

I'm not sure how well chlorophyll would compare to haemoglobin, but maybe I'm thinking of it from a functional/chemical point of view...

Heck, I think it would be fun to start photosynthesizing for energy :cool:

[samina]

had plain watermelon smoothies all day today... awesome for hot weather.

fwiw, the black seeds in the original watermelons (if you can still find them) are nutritious & edible. my rinky-dink blender can't break them down, tho... ah well, they settle to the bottom, no prob.

[Peaches]

Grapefruit/mango/parsley/spinach...

Notes:
I'm not bothering to add mango anymore...kind of pointless, it seems.
Less parsley.
Wash parsley more thoroughly...something is a touch gritty, and that's the only thing I can think of.

Interesting...grapefruit start, parsley finish...bitter.

[waltzgirl]

Finally broke down and tried these. (Once Peaches had been a guinea pig for them, I figured it was safe :D)

Spinach, strawberries, a couple basil leaves.

Really good!

[Peaches]

I see I have a reputation...

Spinach, strawberry, and basil eh? I could do that tonight...sounds like a plan. I need fruits/veggies after today's crap.

[waltzgirl]

I see I have a reputation...

Spinach, strawberry, and basil eh? I could do that tonight...sounds like a plan. I need fruits/veggies after today's crap.


The best meal I've ever had (in Paris) included a cold strawberry soup with basil in it, so I figured I'd start off the smoothies with a taste I knew I liked.

[9dncr]

i just eat my greens. i love them. drinking them - i dunno. i don't get why.

I think Imight be with you on this... It sounds like a great idea but drinking something green like that would throw me way off. I bet I will attempt it one of these days though! Does it give you energy? Is it filling?:confused:

[Peaches]

Very filling.

[samina]

Finally broke down and tried these. (Once Peaches had been a guinea pig for them, I figured it was safe :D)

Spinach, strawberries, a couple basil leaves.

Really good!

way to go, waltzie!

strawberries are very low sugar & tart, tho... excellent as an additional fruit, but your smoothies will taste even better if you include a sweet fruit...

mango & strawberry are fab together (peaches' hesitance to add waste a mango on a smoothie, aside... lol)

:)

[samina]

I think Imight be with you on this... It sounds like a great idea but drinking something green like that would throw me way off. I bet I will attempt it one of these days though! Does it give you energy? Is it filling?:confused:

try & see... ;)

an amazingly filling live smoothie supper is mango/parsley blended with a whole young coconut, poured over chopped strawberries & topped with raw macadamias... you'd be full & feeling light all at the same time.

[9dncr]

try & see... ;)

an amazingly filling live smoothie supper is mango/parsley blended with a whole young coconut, poured over chopped strawberries & topped with raw macadamias... you'd be full & feeling light all at the same time.


OK when you start talking mango and strawberries I am convinced! I was a bit scared to try something that sounded like it would be dark green and chunky when it hit my lips..... :???: But I am willing to bet the more fruit that is in it the more colorful it is!

I just got a bullet I need to put it to good use! This weekend I am going to have a LIVE GREEN SMOOTHIE!

Is it ok if I put rum in it???? :cheers: JUST KIDDING!

[and123]

hmmmm, wouldn't that make it a Drunk Green Smoothie? http://foldies.wtms.net/vomit21.gif

[Peaches]

Suggestion: put it in a dark container at first, add plenty of water and ice. Blend it for a long time. That way, it'll be thinner, colder, smoother, and you won't be able to see it.

[samina]

I was a bit scared to try something that sounded like it would be dark green and chunky when it hit my lips.....

lol... i know... that's what most people anticipate about it, that it'll be like drinking Lawn...lol


Is it ok if I put rum in it???? :cheers: JUST KIDDING!
as i have alluded to previously in a number of threads, i think the idea of adding rum & such to live green smoothies is brilliant... just brilliant... something that's both recreational AND good for you AND tastes great... i'm so there!! :cheers:

[9dncr]

hmmmm, wouldn't that make it a Drunk Green Smoothie? http://foldies.wtms.net/vomit21.gif


GREAT smiley!
I think it is a wonderful idea, I try to drink / eat something that is good for me so that I can try to loose weight, and ooops! I get drunk and end up throwing it up instead.. Either way I loose weight! ;-)

How Festive! Just what the summer ordered!

[NielsenE]

So I'm thinking about giving these things a try.... but the first step is getting a blender.... any suggestions on good models? things to look for/look out for?

[samina]

sure! you don't need fancy features or numerous speeds... hi & lo will do. i prefer models with glass containers because of the chemicals reputed to leach out of plastic. i purchased a $20 "smoothie" blender from wal-mart with two buttons & a spigot. works fine!

[samina]

btw, had a wonderful strawberry (full quart)/watermelon/plum smoothie w/ sprouts yesterday... delish.

[LucyDiamond]

sure! you don't need fancy features or numerous speeds... hi & lo will do. i prefer models with glass containers because of the chemicals reputed to leach out of plastic. i purchased a $20 "smoothie" blender from wal-mart with two buttons & a spigot. works fine!
Does one need a smoothie maker or will an ordinary, old-fashioned blender work?

[samina]

ordinary old-fashioned blender is perfect. i just got what i got cuz it was cheap, glass, and had two buttons. ;)

[LucyDiamond]

Cool, because I have an ordinary, old-fashioned blender. I've made smoothies before but never with green stuff. Usually, just fruit, ice and maybe some protein powder or non-fat yogurt. Very nice on a hot summer day.

[samina]

sounds like you're well-equipped should you desire to venture into live green smoothie land. :)

my cheap blender is very cross-functional, being also the designated altar of tikidom for this summer.

but my tiki cocktails are going to be primarily raw & will even experiment with making them green...

[LucyDiamond]

Is bourbon green? :lol:

[samina]

i can make it so... lol

how bout a lemon-bourbon crush with pineapple for sweet & sprouts for colorless "green" (probly won't taste them... of course, will have to experiment & taste-test)...:cool:

[LucyDiamond]

sounds yummie!!!!!

rum would probably work also, especially with pineapple and some coconut. :wink:

[samina]

definitely... then we're outa bourbonville & starting to get our tiki on (different thread) lol.

[LucyDiamond]

different thread... meh... seems like tikies and smoothies show up in almost every thread here on DF. :lol:

[samina]

they do indeed. either that or lime green socks...

[LucyDiamond]

now, we're getting into the random thread...

[NielsenE]

So I haven't had a chance to get a blender yet, but I'm hoping to this weekend.... I'm not too familiar with these dark greens that make the base of the smoothies though... the only one I've eated often is spinach.... Can you talk a little about the other prime ingredients you tend to use and what they taste like/combine well with?

Some dark greens I've thought of, besides spinach, that don't seem appropriate or appetizing -- mint/oregano (former), brocolli (latter).

[samina]

oregano -- quite strong. mint can be nice but certainly has distinctive flavor. spinach best for beginning, i believe, as the flavor disappears into that famous "fresh" quality and completely emulsifies, which parsley has a harder time doing...although am huge fan of parsley smoothies.

if you like spicier greens, arugula & watercress are good. kale can be either delicate or cabbage-y, depending variety & whether organic (IME, everything tends to be more delicate & sweeter in general when organic... meh, just my experience). baby romaine good. i like dill, and actually always get some kind of herbal high from it when i smoothify it. not sure why. very nice.:cool:

but spinach is the way to go for starters, i think. then parsley. after that... toss anything green in there that you want, including sprouts.

just make sure you've got plenty of sweet fruit.

keep us posted, nielse! :D

[quixotedlm]

So I haven't had a chance to get a blender yet, but I'm hoping to this weekend.... I'm not too familiar with these dark greens that make the base of the smoothies though... the only one I've eated often is spinach.... Can you talk a little about the other prime ingredients you tend to use and what they taste like/combine well with?

Some dark greens I've thought of, besides spinach, that don't seem appropriate or appetizing -- mint/oregano (former), brocolli (latter).

I just bought two of these blenders - one for home and one for work. It's amazing - very satisfied!!

http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productdetails/sku__IP700
http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productdetails/sku__IP701

[SlowDancer]

Gotta find that darned blender...

[Laura]

My blender of choice is the Vita-Mix.

I like kale shredded into salads, but I've never tried it in a smoothie.

As far as raw cocktails go, I heartily recommend making pina coladas. Start with a young Thai coconut. Thwap the top off with a cleaver and pour the water into the blender. Use a spoon to scrape all the meat out of the inside of the coconut and add it to the blender. Next, take a fresh coconut, core it, and cut off all the skin. Chop up the pineapple and add about as much of it to the blender as there is coconut. (It's even better if the pineapple has been frozen.) Blend until smooth, add rum to taste, enjoy!

[Peaches]

Laura, maybe I missed something, but what do you do with the fresh coconut after coring it and cutting off the skin. The Thai coconut bit I understand, but not the fresh coconut part.

[MacMoto]

Okay I was curious enough to try... but didn't check this thread before my experiement:

Curly kale, celery, carrot, grapes, grapefruit juice, ice cubes.

Not bad... not very green either, but hey, first attempt. I suppose I should some other form of liquid instead of not-freshly-squeezed fruit juice? For sweetening, I might add strawberries/raspberries to the mix tomorrow, since I've got some in the fridge. How about broccoli? Would it work?

I was brought up to believe raw spinach was bad for you :?... something about oxalic acid... any thoughts?

[Peaches]

Haven't died yet. Neither has Sam. Can't be all that bad. *shrug*

[samina]

Okay I was curious enough to try... but didn't check this thread before my experiement:

Curly kale, celery, carrot, grapes, grapefruit juice, ice cubes.

Not bad... not very green either, but hey, first attempt. I suppose I should some other form of liquid instead of not-freshly-squeezed fruit juice? For sweetening, I might add strawberries/raspberries to the mix tomorrow, since I've got some in the fridge. How about broccoli? Would it work?

hey, awesome, mac! i have still never added celery or carrots to my smoothies, despite seeing fasc do it... broccoli works nicely, pairs exceptionally well with pineapple. berries are nice, but they are not sweet -- your smoothies taste best with some kind of sweet fruit added as the main sweetener, such as banana, mango, pear, melon, peach, plum, kiwi, grapes, and so on. and yes... nix the pasteurized OJ and just use water. :D

I was brought up to believe raw spinach was bad for you :?... something about oxalic acid... any thoughts?

yes, i hear this as well. gabriel cousins is an MD who is extremely knowledgeable about a raw food lifestyle and this is what he has to say in his book "conscious eating":

Organic oxalic acid, defined as that which occurs in nature in its raw form, can actually be beneficial to the system. Once foods containing oxalic acid are cooked, according to the dean of juice therapy and author of Raw Vegetable Juices, Dr. Norman Walker, the oxalic acid becomes dead and irritating substance to the system. He feels that in its cooked form it binds irreversibly with the calcium and prevents calcium absorption. An excess of cooked oxalic acid may also form oxalic acid crystals in the kidney. In the live organic form of oxalic acid, Dr. Walker claims oxalic acid stones and calcium blockage do not occur because the organic oxalic acid can be metabolized appropriately. according to Dr. Walker, oxalic acid in its raw form is one of the important minerals needed to maintain tone and peristalsis of the bowel.

personally, i am not concerned.

[MacMoto]

Parsley, baby spinach, rocket, pineapple, nectarine, grapes, ice cubes, water.

Yum :) I think it's rocket's flavour I'm liking. I can hardly taste any parsley, which is surprising.