Green Smoothie

Also affectionately termed a "Popeye Smoothie," this quick breakfast is about as ideal as you can get! Three food groups in one glass, several servings of fruits and vegetables (depending on how much you drink), can be made in about 5 minutes, and is much more affordable than any kind of purchased breakfast drink (that aren't even as nutritious, anyway, I'd bet!)

I make this or a variation of it every day because it's my favorite way to get my daily dose of leafy green vegetables.

You don't have to have a fancy blender to make it, either. I use a very standard blender that cost about $30.

Green Smoothie

1 small ripe banana
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
3-4 frozen strawberries, other berries, pineapple, or mango
1 cup (more or less) water or milk
2-3 big handfulls of spinach, kale, and/or chard

Blend the fruits and water, then add the greens until smooth.  You can also use milk, almond milk, or 100% juice in place of water. I sometimes add a small spoonful of frozen orange juice concentrate, which overpowers the taste of the greens more.

Use a tropical frozen fruit blend if you want to maintain the vibrant green color. The frozen blueberries make this smoothie more dull colored.

Add flax seed (ground or not) for even more fiber and to add omega-3 fatty acids.

Add yogurt and fewer greens in the beginning of your green smoothie experimentation if you or your children are skeptical.