Kale Smoothie

Happy New Year everyone! I may be a little late on the kale train, but I decided to give this alleged super food a try. This is the first time I’ve purchased (and consumed) kale, so if you are a newbie like me, you can find it in the produce section in bunches of tall leaves. Or just look at the little labels, that always helps too. For almost a week now, I have been making a kale smoothie each morning for breakfast.  I like that I start off the day with some fruits and vegetables. It’s much better than scrambling at dinner to throw a salad together because I realized the only vegetable I ate that day was the lettuce on my turkey burger. This smoothie (almost) perks me up as much as a cup of coffee and is even husband approved!

Whether you have a New Year’s resolution to eat healthier, lose weight, or you just want a quick breakfast in the morning, try a smoothie to start your morning on the right track. To start, gather up all of your ingredients, and get your blender ready.

Ingredients (for two smoothies):

• 2 cups of kale
• 1/3 cup of water
• 2/3 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt
• 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder
• 2/3 cup of milk
• 2 cups of frozen fruit (I LOVE the Mango Fruit Blend at Target with strawberries, mango, and pineapple)

Directions:

1. To start, rip the stems off of the kale, measure two cups of it lightly packed in the cup, and then dump it in the blender. Add in the water and blend for about 30 seconds or until it is really well blended and basically like a liquid.
2. Add in the Greek yogurt, protein powder, milk, fruit and blend for another 30 seconds until completely smooth. Use a spoon to make sure it is well blended, taste, and add in more milk if you like a thinner smoothie consistency.
3. Pour smoothie in your favorite hot/cold tumbler. Awesome JMU one preferable, but not required. Easy!

Helpful Hints: I’m not going to lie, when you finish blending the kale and open the top of the blender it will smell like you are about to eat a Christmas tree. Do not let that deter you! Add the rest of the ingredients and the kale taste is pretty much gone. It is still there, but that’s why it’s a kale smoothie, and not a milkshake.  I added in the milk and yogurt for more dairy and protein, and to help cut the bitterness of the kale, but you can sub in dairy free like almond or soy milk.

I have never been a big smoothie person, but this one has me hooked. If you have any favorite smoothie recipes, I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

Tags: breakfast, fruit smoothie, fruits and vegetables, healthy breakfast, healthy smoothie, kale, kale and fruit smoothie, kale smoothie, protein powder, sassy wife classy life, ways to eat kale