The Ungreen Green Smoothie

I’m still loving our breakfast smoothies in the mornings. It has reached a point where I am actually craving them and looking forward to them every day, so we are making them more often than not now. We have made a lot of really tasty combinations, but this is definitely one of my favorites.

If you’re freaked out by the green color of green smoothies—this one is for you. The combination of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries transforms this smoothie into a lovely purple color that is appetizing to even the most discerning smoothie drinkers. But the secret is that it still has a few cups of healthy, vitamin-packed spinach hidden in there! Blueberries are the real color culprit. Any time you want to hide the green? Add blueberries.

My only complaint about this smoothie is that it is a bit “seedy.” Strawberries play a role, but it’s the raspberries that give this a little bit of “bite”! You just need to make sure to do a good tooth brushing/flossing afterward. :)

The Ungreen Green Smoothie
(Source: Annie’s Eats)

Makes 2 large smoothies

Ingredients:
– 1-2 cups orange juice
– 1 1/2 cups baby spinach leaves, loosely packed
– 1 banana (frozen or not)
– 1 cup frozen blueberries
– 1 cup frozen raspberries
– 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
– 2 servings protein powder (optional) or 1-2 tbsp. ground flax seed (optional)
– Agave syrup or honey (optional)

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in your blender (may want to do this in stages, blending in between—depends on the quality of your blender). If necessary, add more orange juice a splash at a time for a thinner texture.  Taste and if needed, add up to 1 tablespoon of agave syrup or honey to lightly sweeten.