Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Summer veggie smoothie recipie





You might know that I have been a “health nut” for over three decades (actually over 35 years).  Since my late teens, I have studied and researched nutrition and other health related items.  In fact, we (my wife and I) became a Certified Nutritional Health Professional (CNHP) many years ago in an effort to learn more about health related subjects.  Although we do not practice as counselors, a few tips a few times per month might be in order.

Today’s tip is my favorite veggie smoothie.  We own both the Vita-Mix and Blentec Each has advantages over the other but either machine in their own right are outstanding and I recommend you buy the one that you feel comfortable with after testing.  It comes down to a few differences.  I compared both machines on a previous post.

Summer – Veggie – Smoothie
Put the ingredients in the container in the order listed:

1-2 Roma Tomatoes
Handful of grape or cherry tomatoes
1-2 Stalks of celery
Handful of ‘baby’ carrots or 1 large carrot
3 small peppers (orange, red, and/or yellow) include the seeds
Baby spinach (as much as you can fit :-D)

Tex-Mex or South West spice to taste
1 Cup water
1 cup ice

If you want a different taste or do not like Tex Mex spices, try a vegetable bullion cube or use a spice combination that you enjoy.  I like lots of flavor but you might want to add an Italian spice.

If you are using the Blentec, use the juice setting.  If it isn’t smooth enough after blending then select smoothie after the juice cycle finishes.  Vita-Mix users, start on the slow then slowly increases to the highest speed.  Taste and share (maybe :-D).

If you want your veggie drinks to have more tomato taste then add more tomatoes, if you like more green, then add more spinach.  

For a different flavor and more kick, add a dash of hot pepper or small jalapeño. 

This is a tremendous drink for any meal.  This is similar to the warm you up soup version which I will share at a different date.

Enjoy!

2 comments:

Becca Rae said...

Hi Frank!! Nice seeing you at Patricia and Stanley's wedding! Can't wait to see the photos :)
Too bad I can't stand the thought of any type of vegetable juice (unless mixed with a good bit of fruit to make it taste like fruit instead of veggies ;) - otherwise, this smoothie sounds fantastic!! ;) Its funny, I've come to love just about every single vegetable out there (except i only can eat peppers, onions and tomatoes cooked, unless in salsa ;), but i can't handle the concept of drinking vegetable juice! Maybe sometime as i continue to grow in my nutritional wisdom ;)
Anyway, feel free to visit my blog as well at beccaraesadler.blogspot.com - i break down the items i write about into categories so feel free to view my GF/DF/SF Living section for my nutrition stuff, or read whatever you wish :) Thanks for your blog!
Love,
Becca Sadler

Unknown said...

Yes it was great seeing you at the wedding. Veggies - Maybe because I have been eating them for so long but I do know that the fresher the veggie, the better the taste.

Try some of the smoothies and juices that Aladin's sells (they are in Cranberry) and makes fresh for the customer. I will visit your blog! :D