We’re already in the middle of February, and I am doing my best to keep my eating habits on a healthy track. As many of you know, it’so easy to get caught up with the daily hustle and bustle and forget about the priorities you have set for yourself. While going back and reading all the S.M.A.R.T. Goals, I noticed developing healthy habits was an overall theme for many of you as well. Because of this, I thought it would be a great idea to share this incredibly easy and delicious smoothie recipe.
I love adding fresh greens into my smoothies, not only do they add plenty of vitamins and nutrients, but you can’t even taste them! The chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and also help to thicken the smoothie. I love to start my day off right with a smoothie for breakfast, but it also makes a delicious light lunch. For another great lunchtime smoothie, check out this Blueberry Almond Smoothie.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups Kale Leaves (roughly torn)
1 cup Frozen Blueberries
3/4 cup Vanilla Yogurt
1/2 cup Cranberry Juice (not juice cocktail)
1 tbs. Chia Seeds
1 tbs. Honey (optional)
Yield:
About 20 fluid ounces
Time:
5 minutes
Note: In this recipe I used vanilla yogurt but you could also use soy or almond milk if you’re trying to avoid dairy. I didn’t use a sweetened cranberry cocktail juice; instead I used a pure cranberry juice without any added sugar (oooh, tart!). The vanilla yogurt added the perfect amount of sweetness, but if this drink is still too tart you can add a tablespoon of honey or agave syrup to sweeten it up.
ONE: Place ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth. If you prefer your smoothies to be thinner, you can add a splash of milk or more cranberry juice. You can also add a few ice cubes if you prefer smoothies to be extremely cold and thick.
I feed Lily a variation of this smoothie almost every morning. I sub the yogurt for kefir though, which is basically yogurt on steroids! Let Lily’s face be a testament to how good this smoothie is =)
Have you ever tried putting greens in your smoothie before? What did you think? I have found spinach to be delicious as well!
Oh and Lily is just so adorable! What a cutie!
Hi Renee!
Isn’t she a cutie? That smile is so adorable! 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
This sounds really good! Have to make this tomorrow. I am signed up for the 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge that starts April 1st. Looking forward to that as it will keep me on track after not drinking any for little while. I use to drink them every day and I noticed a big difference once I stopped. Not near as much energy. 🙁 So this I am looking forward to. Thank you for posting the smoothie recipe!
Hi Renee!
That sounds like an awesome challenge! I love drinking smoothies, so that may be something I should try too! They really do give you an extra boost of energy 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
I make a blueberry shake every morning with protein powder, almond milk and flaxseed oil. I have a Vitamix that I’ve had for several years that I love. Will have to try out this version. Thanks for the recipe.
Hi Michelle!
That version sounds awesome! I have never tried flaxseed oil before, but I’ve heard it’s great! I would love to have a Vitamix, it’s definitely something I need to save up for! 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Hi Patti!
I love using Chia seeds! In addition to smoothies, I love putting them on my cereal, on toast, in yogurt and you can even make easy puddings with them! They are so neat because when introduced with water they create a gel like consistency.
I have had my eye on a Blendtec blender for a while now, that smoothie sounds delicious…but you can’t forget coffee 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Lily is so cute! I will definitely have to try your smoothie! I’ve never put chia seeds in a smoothie, but I just bought some to try in recipes. I also recently bought unsweetened cranberry juice and boy was that tart! It felt good not having the added sugar however.
I love green smoothies. I try to have one every morning (or a non green smoothie with almond milk, bananas and peanut butter). I have a Blendtec blender, which makes it super easy to blend everything together. Mine has cold water, banana, ginger, dash of lemon juice, spinach, kale, and a pear. I also try to buy organic spinach, kale and pears. Mine makes about 3 cups. Then I have a cup of decaf coffee with it!
Looks like it packaged with so much goodness from chia, kale and blueberries! It reminds me one of those healthy smoothies when I was on a raw diet. Miss this! Thank you for sharing, Ann-Marie! I think I am going to make some today on my BD 🙂
Yeah, Lily is getting cuter and cuter each day 🙂
Hi Veronika!
I made this last week, and it was delicious! I hope you give it a try! Isn’t Lily the cutest? 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry
Lily’s getting cuter by the minute! Love that photo! Looks like she had some of that smoothie and loved it!
Yep, I’ve made a similar smoothie with spinach, fresh blueberries, frozen banana, plain yogurt and cocoa powder. Tastes just like a chocolate shake. I keep saying I need to find a good kale chip recipe. Have you made any?
And would you please tell your Northwest FedEx Ground guys they’re awesome? Despite their tracking website warning of a “possible delay due to severe weather in the Northwest,” I got my order in the same number of days as I have with other orders from you. Very impressed! Stay warm; I heard on the news earlier this evening, you’re in for an “epic” 7 feet of snow! Yikes. It’ll be in the upper 70’s down here.
Hi Patricia!
That smoothie sounds really yummy! Adding cocoa powder is such a good idea :). I have never actually made kale chips before, but have always wanted to! I’ve heard they are really tasty.
I’m so happy to hear you received your package in a timely matter, even with the bad weather! No snow for us, just lots of rain…which is fine by me! Upper 70’s sound wonderful 🙂
-Amanda with Bramble Berry