No. There is no such thing as a green berry (at least not that I know of). The grammar freak inside of me is having a minor meltdown right now over the misplaced modifier - "green." I considered revising the name to "Berry Green Smoothie" but foresaw the "berry" being mistaken as a descriptor of the amount of "green" in the beverage and decided against it.
This is neither a smoothie made from green berries nor is it a very green smoothie. Rather, it is a smoothie made with greens and berries - spinach and strawberries, to be exact.
If I wasn't determined to give the poor drink a short and, hopefully, memorable name, I might have used the ever descriptive "Spinach and Strawberry Smoothie" title, but golly that sounds boring. So, Green Berry Smoothie it is and ever shall be.
In my opinion, and to further the confusion, this delicious concoction of fruits, veggies, oats, and juice tastes like none of the above. For the spinach haters in the crowd, this is probably a good thing.
Now, I love my smoothies super thick (otherwise I'd order a juice - duh) and boy does this one check that box. Thick and almost creamy, a gift from the frozen banana to our taste buds, you can sip on this bad boy through your entire mid-morning meeting - or dig into it with a spoon. It gets bonus points for filling power, preventing the otherwise unavoidable nod-off halfway through the boss's presentation on ______.
This particular ingredient combo is well on its way to becoming a staple in my smoothie rotation. Look at all those beautiful ingredients!
Thank you California for providing fresh berries year-round - though the ones in spring do have a little special something that even the best year-round berry farmers can't pack in to their off-season greenhouse growths.
I obviously piled my glass to overflowing - that's just how I roll. But, should you be in a sharing mood, the recipe below makes a full 24 ounces so you could always split it down the middle to share with your BFF, significant other, or one lucky other meeting attendee.
Green Berry Smoothie
A fantastic mid-morning pick-me-up.
- 1 banana, sliced and frozen
- 5 – 8 strawberries (depending upon size), hulled
- 2 handfuls baby spinach (about 1 ½ cups)
- ½ cup old fashioned oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut
- 1 cup ice
- ½ cup apple juice
Place ingredients into blender in order listed.
Press smoothie button. If you don't have a smoothie button, blend to preferred thickness.
Pour into a cup.
Top with strawberries, chia seeds, and coconut, if desired.
"Seriously the best split pea soup I've ever had." -Hubby
When that phrase the first thing out of someone's mouth after savoring the first bite of something you prepared, you are stoked. When the sentiment is maintained throughout the meal, you know you stumbled onto something great and you should scribble down what you did so you can recreate it next time....
I firmly believe that food cravings are dictated as much by our mood and the weather as by our current attire. Today, for example, has been cool and cloudy. It's no east coast storm day, but I've had one of those bone chills you just can't shake all day. And, I've been in gym clothes hoping that I'll get in a workout before the day ends....
Remember that beautiful basket of carrots and potatoes, garlic and pomegranates that I showed you earlier this week? 
It is absolutely amazing to me just how much my slow cooker can do. For example, in a few hours time it can take a pile of veggies, spices, beans, and chicken stock (above) and turn it into scrumptious black bean soup (below). The only thing I have to do is be patient enough not to lift the lid mid-cook cycle....
I like to consider myself a healthy, nutritious eater. But, during the winter months when the leafy greens look less than fantastic, I find myself eating fewer salads, opting instead for starchier sides and mains like roasted root vegetables and veggie sautés. While not terrible decisions, the weight of these heavy vegetables takes its toll on the body. ...
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A Cali native with New England style and a country heart embracing this crazy fantastic life.
