Berry Beet Smoothie

Why drink smoothies made with vegetables and fruit?

It’s an easy way to get more fruits and vegetables into your daily diet. This drink is filled with vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants yet it tastes delicious. If you don’t find yourself sitting down to a big bowl full of nutrient rich healthy greens on a regular basis such as kale, spinach, collard greens and swiss chard you can enjoy the  health benefits of cruciferous vegetables by blending them with fruit!

Berry Beet Smoothie

• 1 cup cold water
• 1 Apple, cored, halved or quartered
• 1 Banana, peeled
• 1/4 beet, peeled Or omit and use more berries instead
• 1 carrot
• 2 cups of fresh kale, remove stems, or spinach
• 1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla powder or vanilla extract
• 1 cup ice

If using a high powered blender like a Vitamix:

If you have a high powered blender like a Vitamix  most everything can go into the blender at once starting with the water and the fresh ingredients, frozen items on top. In the Vitamix I process this first using the smoothie setting and then when the machine stops add the ice and pulse until smooth.

If using a regular blender:

Cut the fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces and start with the water and add a little of the fruits and vegetables at a time, processing completely before adding more. Add crushed ice at the end as it blends easier.

Also if you let the frozen fruit thaw slightly it will process easier in a regular blender. If you use frozen beets make sure to cut them into slices before freezing.

Yield: 2 Servings