From the kitchen: Spinach & Berry Smoothies

I love a good smoothie – for breakfast, for lunch…even for desert. But green smoothies, I always stayed away from. Blended spinach? Kale? No thank you. Then one day I decided to conquer my fears and I threw a handful of leafy greens in with the fruit and blended it up. Funny, I thought, it didn’t taste green? It didn’t look green? But green it was.

Now I throw kale or spinach (or both) into all of my smoothies! The fruit and yogurt camouflage the taste and you’d never know you were drinking healthy greens. This smoothie is brimming with antioxidant superfoods and omega-3′s, plus it’s delicious and filling – a perfect way to start the day. Enjoy! 

Spinach & Berry Smoothies

Makes about 24 oz (about 2 servings)

INGREDIENTS

1/2 large banana

1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1/2 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)

1/2 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)

2 cups loosely packed fresh spinach leaves

3/4 cup greek yogurt (or 1-6oz yogurt cup)

Scant tablespoon chia seeds

Scant tablespoon flax seeds (I use ground flax seed meal)

Splash of pomegranate juice (just enough to thin the smoothie out)

DIRECTIONS

Put all ingredients into your blender. Blend on high until smooth. Adding more liquid often helps my blender do its job. Add more juice a small splash at a time, as needed. Pour into your favorite glass, garnish with a few berries or banana slices and enjoy!

Variations: Water, milk or non-dairy milk can be used in substitution of pomegranate juice.