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If you read our blog yesterday, you know that  kale is full of amazing nutrients for  your family!  We’ve added it to our family by drinking it in green smoothies.

This is the basic green smoothie recipe that we use just about everyday.  Even my kids drink one every morning before breakfast.   I have to admit, there was a battle when we first started this about a year and a half ago.  But now they just know it is part of the routine.  They drink a green smoothie and then they can have breakfast.  My son turned it into a game.  We all have our smoothies and we race to see who can finish theirs first.  It totally works – they are gone with in a couple of minutes.  This same son also believes he is smarter and faster than anyone because he drinks his green smoothie {if it works, go with it!}.

The ingredients listed below go in every day – the pineapple is another good anti-inflammatory and it also offsets the bitterness of the kale.  {Even my  brother  who won’t eat vegetables will drink one of these smoothies}   I usually add at least 1 other ingredient each day –  it varies from day-to-day.  Sometimes I throw in a couple of brussel sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, parsley, a whole apple, grapes, a scoop of flax-seed or whatever I might have.  {This is awesome – whenever you have fruits or veggies getting a little dated, just throw them in the smoothie!}.  Depending on what you add the flavor will change.  Alfalfa sprouts almost give a little spicy flavor to the smoothie so be careful with this one.  Apples make it a little sweeter.  You can experiment with it and see what you like.

I love to give my family and myself a big boost of nutrition first thing in the morning!

Green Smoothie with Kale and Pineapple

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups water
1 big stalk of Kale (including stem)
1/2 cup fresh pineapple
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 large handful of fresh spinach

Directions:

If using a high power blender, such as a Blentec or VitaMix, place all ingredients in the blender and hit the smoothie cycle.  Done!!

If using a regular blender, add the water, kale and spinach to the blender.  Blend on high.  Add the pineapple and blueberries and blend on high again until well blended.  {Adding the greens first will make for a smoother texture-it is a smoothie so we don’t want to chew it.}