This Wheatgrass, Spinach & Strawberry Smoothie is one of my original green smoothie recipes. Wheatgrass often gets a bad rep for not tasting good, but it is actually delicious and good for you. Children will love it, too. I have pictures below of our toddler drinking it (see pictures below). This not a thick smoothie but could easily replace a cup of coffee in the morning because it gives energy. Try it and let me know what you think!
Wheatgrass, Spinach & Strawberry Smoothie
INGREDIENTS:
1 tbsp powered organic wheatgrass
1 cup organic baby spinach (I use one handful)
1 cup frozen sliced organic strawberries (can use 1 and 1/2 cups)
2 packets stevia
1 1/2 cup almond milk or cold water
1 tbs chia seed
* I used organic ingredients for this smoothie recipe.
* You can use organic vegetable protein with this to make it a longer lasting meal.
DIRECTIONS:
Add milk or water, wheatgrass, baby spinach, chia seeds, stevia and strawberries to blender ... Blend or pulse a few times if using a Ninja, Vitamix or Nutribullet ... until smooth. Put the tip of the spoon in and dip, so that you can taste. If it could use a few more strawberries add about 1/2 cup.
NOTE: I use a 16 ounce single serving cup with the Ninja Professional 1500 blender and this yields almost the full 16 ounces. I will usually have this within 30 minutes of waking and it holds me until ready for brunch, so I take my Skinny Fiber about an hour and a half to two hours after having this wheatgrass smoothie, then eat 30 minutes later.
You can grow your own wheatgrass or buy organic wheatgrass powder from the bins at your local Health Food store or online! Powered wheatgrass saves you money, lasts a long time and is so concentrated (since it is just ground wheatgrass sprouts) that you just need to use a little bit per ounce of liquid. Too much can make the smoothie bitter.
The picture is dim, but this is actually a vibrant green smoothie with speckles of color from the ingredients (i.e. strawberries, chia seeds). Wheatgrass is high in vitamin and minerals like other green vegetables. There's more on the health benefits of wheatgrass below.
Our 3 year old toddler LOVED this wheatgrass, spinach and strawberry smoothie. He pushed the milk aside and drank it down. This helps me get veges in him!
He's sporting a wheatgrass smoothie mustache with pride :) Give it a try. Maybe your toddler will like this green smoothie, too. Start with just a few ounces until your child is used to it.
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Health Benefits of Wheatgrass
Despite all of the hype you might have read about wheatgrass being a superfood with incredible health benefits, wheatgrass is a vegetable comparable to broccoli, spinach and the others we eat except wheatgrass has more Vitamin E and Protein than the two, but that's about it. Regardless, it is sprout from the wheat seed though does not contain gluten and the rave because it is a predigested food that is easy used by the body (similar concept to why we juice fruits and veges so that they are digested more easily). The concrete health benefits of wheatgrass include those of other green vegetables. Wheatgrass has vitamins A, B, C, E and calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, sodium and zinc. It is high in chlorophyll which some believe has extra benefits, though it is not scientifically proven.. I like that I can buy organic wheatgrass in dried, ground, concentrate and add it to our smoothies ... It is cost effective and easy on the tummy without sacrificing nutrition.Green Smoothies Help Get Raw Fruits & Vegetables In Your Diet
Juicing and smoothies can help get more fresh fruits and vegetables into your child's diet (yours too); especially the greens that they typically leave on the plate like spinach, broccoli, kale, parsley ... Just pop them in the blender with one or two types of fruits, add chia seeds and voila ... the family loves them.If you are trying to give up coffee, eat breakfast at a decent time each day, trying to lose weight or just get healthier in general by eating more whole foods instead of processed foods, then green smoothies should be top on your list of lifestyle changes. Chia seeds are an incredible source of fiber and omega 3s. It can only help you to add them to your smoothie, as well as different types of additions like cacao, coconut oil, flaxseed, meca, etc. Maybe not all at once and certainly with research as to whether it is good for your child, but the point being to combine the different nutrients needed into an easy to drink meal or snack that covers their daily nutritional needs without having to take vitamins. You can get what you need from food.
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I look forward to your comments how your wheatgrass, spinach, strawberry smoothie turned out or what other wheatgrass smoothie you suggest for my little vegetarian!
Hugs & Blessings!
Lea
I didn't use any stevia but replaced with a frozen banana for a bit of sweet and I used fresh wheat grass. My children and I LOVE this one. Thanks for the recipe!!
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