Do you use a Ninja to make your Smoothies?  If not, I highly recommend you purchase one.  I have had my Ninja to over 3 years now, and I am still amazed  at how quickly it can pulverise ice into smoothies that are similar to soft serve icecream.  Of course, this is a more healthy way to have a frozen treat since it's made with fruit and vegetables.  In the picture below, I am making a smoothie with spinach in it.  Before you say "YUK", hear me out.  Once you blend all the ingriedient in the picture below, i guarantee you WILL NOT taste spinach.  I have found this to be a great way to start my day.  I have more energy, and if the infusion of fruit and vegetables doesn't get you going, the chill certainly will!  Enjoy my smoothie recipes.  If you have questions about them, please feel free to email me at:  susan@yankeebellecreations.com

Mixing Tips

1.  Always start your smoothie by pulverizing the ice and water first.  This will make blending the rest of your ingredients much easier.  It also makes for a super smooth texture with no chunks of ice.

2.  If you are adding spinach, I alway put it in as my 2nd step. Make sure to buy the BABY SPINACH.  It is not bitter!  Kale is also excellent at this point.  I have added partially cooked baby carrots as well, and cucumbers too!    Blend this in with your ice, and keep "pulsing" your Ninja until your mixture is nice and smooth.

3.  I usually put pineapple chunks in with the spinach or other vegetables.  It just seems to blend well with it in there.  The acidity in the pineapple is a great mask for any vegetable flavor that may show through.  Lemon juice is also a good mask, plus it wakes up your taste buds.  Add as little or as much as you'd like.  Don't be afraid to play with it.  If you like a sweeter smoothie, I prefer all natural TRUVIA.  You can find this in the grocery store in the baking isle.  Truvia is an all natural.sweetner, and comes from the Stevia plant.  You use much less of this than you would regular sugar.

4.  Now for the blueberries, strawberries, banana, kiwi etc.   Start by adding a bit of your favorite fruits to the mix.  I always keep on hand large bags of frozen fruits.  Frozen fruits keep the frozen consistency of your smoothie.

5.  If you like yogurt in your smoothie, add it in!

6.  Don't let the color fool you!  It may look a little muddy depending on the vegetables and fruit you choose for you favorite smoothie.

7.  You know those great big 32 oz cups that have the wide smooth straw?  They generally are sold at gas station drink counters. Getting a smooth straw is important since you want to avoid the accordian pleated type straws.  Those little folds hold on to food particals no matter how much you wash them.  The big cup & straw are wonderful for smoothies.  They generally come with a lid too.  I fill this cup up, and generally tote it with me for close to an hour.  It's a great breakfast replacement full of fiber, and all natural ingredients.

**For more great Smoothie recipes, click the link to the smoothie category.  https://www.yankeebellecreations.com/?s=smoothies