Christmas Hangover

I dont know about you, but I have sorta eaten a lot in the last few weeks.  And when I say a lot, I mean a lot.

Not only have I eaten like its going out of style, but I have let the kids diets slide as well... not saying no when grandma offers them a cookie. (or eight)  Letting them eat all of their bread and none of their veggies at Christmas dinners... not taking away the sweet treats and candy gifts people are so generous with during the Holidays.

So I knew I needed to give them some super foods... something to get their little gastrointestinal system back on track.

Bring on the smoothies.

My kids love smoothies.

And for the record, I do to.

I am going to share with you my super powered, body healing, stomach soothing, palate pleasing turbo smoothie.

 

You will need:

1 large banana peeled

2-4 Kale leaves

1/2 to 1 cup of spinach

1 cup frozen blueberries

1 cup water

*my super special secret ingredient

You'd think now, on the ingredient list, would be the time to reveal the super special secret ingredient.

Well, I have never been good at following rules.

Here's how you make it.

Grab your cup of frozen blueberries.  I just buy a ton during the summer when they have them 'buy one get one free' at the grocery store and throw them in the freezer.

Put blueberries in your blender.  Add one cup of water.

Add banana. Blend well.

Add kale.  I pull all of the leaves off the stem first... the stem is extremely bitter.

Add spinach.  Fresh baby spinach works good too.

Blend everything together really well.  On my blender, which was manufacture in 1979 I kid you not, I have to blend it for about 3 minutes.

Now, taste it.

Is it perfect?  Then you have done well my friend and have no need of my super secret ingredient.

Is it slightly bitter?

Then you might want to try this.

Is that a super fun secret ingredient or what???  If you can find organic even better.  I would add no more then 1 teaspoon, but start with 1/2 teaspoon and see how it goes.

Now, sometimes I get really, really bitter kale.  Usually the banana cuts most of the bitterness, but when it doesn't, I just add a teaspoon of this.

But most of the time the sugar is not necessary.

Now, why a blueberry, kale, spinach, banana smoothie? 

1. It tastes good.

2. Blueberries are loaded with antioxidants and rate highest among other fruits and vegetables in their capacity to destroy free radicals.

3. Bananas are awesome.  If you would like some more technical terms go here.

4. Kale is in season in the winter, and appears to be able to lessen the occurrence of a wide variety of cancers, including breast and ovarian cancers. New research is revealing that phytonutrients in crucifers, such as kale, work at a much deeper level. These compounds actually signal our genes to increase production of enzymes involved in detoxification, the cleansing process through which our bodies eliminate harmful compounds.

Talk about body cleansing. (for more info on kale click here)

5. Spinach rocks.  Just ask Popeye.  Calorie for calorie spinach provides more nutrients than any other food.  Feeling sluggish from all those cookies?  I promise some spinach will give you back some energy!

Let me know if you try it, or if you are already a super smoothie drinking momma.

If you are, why have we not discussed this sooner?  I need details girl! :)