Characteristics

A green smoothie offers an excellent way to start your day with leafy greens. It offers alkalizing benefits, antioxidant benefits, anti-inflammatory benefits, and nutrient-dense calories packed with vitamins and minerals. It is naturally low is sodium, cholesterol free, and rich in fiber. It is quick and easy to make, and so delicious that it can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

TYPE: Meal or Meal Addition
PREP TIME: < 15 mins
SERVINGS: makes 2 adult servings

  • 100% Raw
  • 100% Plant-Based / Vegan
  • 100% Whole Food
  • Gluten-free
  • Wheat-free
  • Grain-free
  • Soy-free
  • Peanut-free
  • Nut-free
  • Corn-free
  • Oil-free
  • Refined Sugar-free

Goodies Needed*

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 Organic Bananas
  • 2 inch / 5cm disc of Organic Pineapple
  • 2 to 4 Organic Kale leaves
  • 4 TBSP Organic Flax Seeds
  • 1 to 2 cups Filtered Water
  • OPTIONAL: 2 to 4 ice cubes for a gently chilled smoothie

TOOLS:

Preparation Steps

  1. Peel the bananas, cut into pieces, and add them into the blender.
  2. Prepare the pineapple by removing the top leaves and rinsing the pineapple to clean it. Cut a disc of about 2 inches or 5 cm and store the rest.Remove the outer skin, cut the pineapple into chunks, and transfer them to the blender. If you need more help, watch the video on how to prepare a pineapple.
  3. Wash the kale leaves and tear the leaf away from the stalk. Place the leaves in the blender and discard the stalks.
  4. Add the flax seeds to the blender.
  5. Add the water to the blender. Use less to start to determine your desired smoothie consistency. If using ice cubes, also use a little less water.
  6. Blend the ingredients on high speed until the mixture is smooth, uniform, and creamy.
  7. Pour the smoothie into glasses and enjoy! It is best to consume the green smoothie when it is freshly made, otherwise the ingredients begin to breakdown. If you must store it for later, be sure it is stored in a well-sealed container and kept in the refrigerator. Do not freeze the smoothie as it will further degrade the nutrients due to the extreme temperature changes.

Tips

  • Substitute chia seeds for flax seeds for a variation of nutrients. You can also try hemp seeds but do note that hemp seeds will change the flavor of the smoothie to reflect the hemp flavor.
  • Do not use canned pineapple, which normally has added sugar and other bad additives.
  • Frozen pineapple chunks may be used if they are pure, unsweetened. In this case, definitely avoid adding ice cubes as it will make the smoothie too cold for proper digestion.
  • Do not use frozen banana, especially if using frozen pineapple, as it will make the smoothie too cold for proper digestion.

Meal Nutritional Benefits

Kale

  • provides healthy carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and is naturally low in fat
  • provides lots of phytonutrients, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits
  • provides vitamins, especially vitamins A, C, K, and most B vitamins, including folate
  • provides minerals, especially potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and selenium
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • supports healthy eyesight, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
  • protects against cardiovascular disease, cancer, infections, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis/rheumatism, and other diseases

Bananas

  • provide healthy carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and are virtually fat-free
  • provide lots of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits
  • provide vitamins, including vitamin A, C, E, K, and most B vitamins
  • provide minerals, including potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, and zinc
  • support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • support healthy digestion, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
  • protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, and other diseases

Pineapple

  • provides healthy carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and are virtually fat-free
  • provide lots of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits
  • provide vitamins, including vitamin A, C, K, and some B vitamins, including folate
  • provide minerals, including manganese, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium
  • support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • support optimal digestion, cleansing, and detoxification
  • support healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar
  • protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, and other diseases

Flax Seeds

  • provide healthy fats, protein, carbohydrates, and fiber
  • excellent source of omega-3 fatty acid ALA, including an outstanding omega-3 to omega-6 ratio of 4:1
  • provide phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits
  • provide vitamins, including vitamin C, E, K, and most B vitamins
  • provide minerals, especially manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, selenium, iron, copper, calcium, and potassium
  • support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • support optimal brain, immune, cardiovascular, and digestive health
  • support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels

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