Radical Raspberry
SERVES 4 (1 CUP SERVINGS)
1 cup raspberries
1/2 pineapple, peeled and cored
1/2 lemon, peeled
1 1/2 cups kefir
1. Place raspberries, pineapple, lemon, and 1 cup kefir in a blender and mix.
2. Continue to blend the ingredients while adding the remaining 1/2 cup kefir. Process in the blender until smooth.
TIP: Skip the soda at your next family gathering and whip up a few batches of this smoothie instead. Pour into a deep punch bowl, make sure there’s a ladle on hand, and top with fresh lemon slices. It also makes a nutritious dessert!
Berry Berry Quite Contrary
SERVES 4
1 cup watercress
2 pints blueberries
2 bananas, peeled
1 cup blueberry yogurt
1 cup ice
1. Blend watercress, blueberries, bananas, and 1/2 cup yogurt until combined.
2. Add the remaining 1/2 cup yogurt and the ice, and blend on high for 60 seconds. If all the ingredients are not thoroughly combined, keep blending until smoothie is the desired consistency.
TIP Don’t trash those brown bananas! Toss ’em in the freezer (peel and all) and use them for future smoothies. Just let them thaw for five minutes before popping into the blender.
Golden Nugget
SERVES 4
1 cup carrots
3/4 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup orange juice
1 Tbsp honey
1/2 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
1 cup ice cubes
1. Blend carrots and pineapple juice in blender until smooth. (Slightly softening the carrots in the microwave first may help them blend.)
2. Add orange juice, honey, and yogurt, and blend until smooth.
3. Add ice cubes and blend one last time until smoothie is the desired consistency.
TIP Serve this in lieu of plain orange juice at breakfast to give kids much-needed fiber.
A Sweet Beet Treat
SERVES 4
1 cup beet greens
3 beets, peeled and chopped
1 banana, peeled
1 cup almond milk
1/2 cup ice cubes
1. Place beet greens, beets, banana, and 1/2 cup almond milk in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Add the remainder of the almond milk and the ice cubes, and blend until creamy.
TIP Got greens leftover? Roast or sauté them for dinner. These leafy toppers are a nutrient powerhouse — just 1 cup of them has eight times more vitamin K than most kids get in a day.
Vanilla Banana Bonkers
SERVES 4
1 cup romaine lettuce
4 bananas, peeled
1 1/2 vanilla beans (pulp only),
or 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups vanilla kefir
1 cup ice
1. Blend together lettuce, bananas, vanilla, and kefir on high speed until smooth.
2. Add 1 cup ice and blend until smoothie is the desired consistency.
TIP Top this treat with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and a fresh cherry for a guilt-free shake.
