The Mean Green Smoothie - National Vegetarian Week

You know how much I like my smoothies.

Here is my latest offering The Mean Green Smoothie.

I call it mean because of the kiwi fruit I added. Boy does it give it a kick! Kiwi are usually sweet with a bit of tang right? Juice it and it becomes a monster that hits you at the back of the throat. Not in an unpleasant way, but it does have a kick. Cooper really didn't like this one, but I love it!

It's a mixture of greens and orange, which account for the sludgy swamp colour. Sweet easy peelers, creamy avocado, sharp kiwi fruit, green spinach, orange juice, lemon juice and wheat grass.

As well as being slurpilious and having a kick, it's super good for you. High in Potassium and very high in Vitamin A and C.

It's also only 71 calories a glass, so it's great for the 5:2 Diet.

This is the first time I've used wheat grass in a smoothie. I was kindly sent a box of Wheat Grass Juice Powder by Pukka Herbs. They know how much I love my smoothies!

Pukka Herbs specialise in Organic and Fairtrade Teas, but they also sell a great range of health products and skincare. I was more interested in their health powders, that could give my smoothies a zap!

I'd heard of wheat grass before. Who hasn't heard of the juice bars in America, where suited and booted
business men and women, stop in on their way to work for a shot of wheat grass juice. So, what's so great about it?

Here is what Pukka say about it:

"Wheat Grass Juice naturally supports the body's ability to cleanse itself due to its high chlorophyll content. It is one of the most nourishing foods in the world containing an easy to digest broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins and antioxidants. To ensure optimum potency, we use only concentrated juice from fresh wheat grass."

It's suitable for vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free diets and it only takes 5 minutes to make (add a couple more minutes if you have to blanch your spinach).

Now for the recipe.

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The Mean Green Smoothie

Written by Jacqueline Meldrum

May 25, 2013

Sweet easy peelers, creamy avocado, sharp kiwi fruit, green spinach, orange juice, lemon juice and wheat grass combine in this nutrient powerhouse to make a powerful and delicious smoothie.

Ingredients

• 5 easy peelers (or clementines)
• 1 avocado
• 1 kiwi fruit
• a large handful spinach
• 500ml orange juice
• juice of ½ lemon
• 1 tsp wheat grass juice powder

Instructions

1. Wash your spinach. If you have a vitamix like me you can add the spinach fresh, if you don't, pop it in a colander in the sink and pour a kettleful of boiling water over it. Rinse with cold water to refresh, then squeeze as much liquid out of it as possible before adding to your blender or food processor.2. Prepare the rest of the ingredients. Peel the oranges and kiwi fruit, scoop the flesh from the avocado and juice have a lemon.3. Pop all of your ingredients into a blender and whizz until smooth. You can add ice if you like.4. Enjoy!

Details

Total time: 5 mins
Yield: Serves 4

I am entering my smoothie into Ricki's Wellness Weekends.  

To enter, simply link up a vegan recipe you made (and posted about) that contains health-supporting ingredients.  

This means any good-for-you whole foods, especially those with antioxidant properties or “functional foods” (ie, offering naturally medicinal or health-promoting qualities–such as garlic, coconut oil, all vegetables, fruits, herbs, etc.)–but any
fresh, real food is welcome!


Happy Vegetarian Week!

My National Vegetarian Week:

Monday: Weekly Meal Planning

Tuesday: My Top 7 Vegetarian Food Bloggers

Wednesday: My Top 3 Vegan Food Bloggers

Thursday: The 5:2 Diet for Vegetarians

Friday: Broccoli and Celery Soup

Saturday: The Mean Green Smoothie

Sunday: Spaghetti and Beanballs

And check out my post on trying a vegetarian diet over at Baby Centre. 36 gorgeous starters, main courses and desserts to choose from.

Disclosure: Pukka Herbs sent me a box of wheat grass juice powder to try. I was not required to write a positive review and any opinions expressed are my own.