Kale Green Smoothie

When I think of a green smoothie and I think about all the disgusting things that are green in color. I just think that this recipe for a Kale Green Smoothie is not going to work at all.  When I was little, I used to read Dr. Seuss "Green Eggs and Ham," and generally, when I think of food products that are green, I assume if a food is green, it must be rotten.  I think it's a hard sell to try and get children to eat their veggies.  Some children are under the opinion that anything that is green equates to nastiness.  A Kale Green Smoothie must be invented by some looney health nut mom that wants to save the world.  Well, if Sam-I-Am could get someone to like green eggs and ham, if you try it, I might be able to get you to like this Kale Green Smoothie.  It's green and delicious.  Try it, and you will like it.

Kale Green Smoothie

Kale Green Smoothie

2 cups of Kale
1 6 oz. container of favorite Vanilla Yogurt (We used Lactose Free Yoplait Vanilla Yogurt.)
1/2 cup C&H Pure Cane Sugar
1 1/2 cups Organic Whole Milk
2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
12 large Cubes of Ice

This is a personal preference, sorry I did not take a picture of it, but what I do with the kale is I snap off the  stems and keep the ruffled leafy green.  The stems have a hard texture, and are a little bit chewy.  I don't want my smoothie to be chewy so I am removing the stems of the kale.  You really don't have to cut the kale. A knife is not necessary, just bend the stem of the kale and it will break off.  In the picture there are two stems.  I broke those off before I put them into the blender.

Here are the ingredients that I used.

The stems of the kale are snapped off, and then I placed the kale into the blender.  As you can see the leafs are very green.  This will be what turns the smoothie green and gives the smoothie it's beautiful bright green color.  If you try to taste raw kale, it might taste bitter.  Some people will think I'm totally crazy for making a smoothie with this and would never, ever prepare any sort of green smoothie at home.  Don't worry about the flavor right now.  I promise when we are finished, it will taste plenty good.

After I placed the kale into the blender, I spooned out the yogurt.  A small container will work.  If you want your smoothie to be creamier, more yogurt is fine.

 I pour a half cup of sugar into the mix.

After I pour the sugar, I add 1 1/2 cups of organic whole milk.

If it's starting to look like a salad with ranch dressing, you're doing it right.  It's looking a little chunky though.  Some people might be grossed out right now.  We know it's good so we won't stop until it's finished.

 I added two teaspoons of pure vanilla extract.

I added 12 ice cubes.  If you have an ice cube maker, just use your eyes and try to think how much ice you would like to use.  The ice is going to melt and become water so keep that in mind when you add ice.  I would think, maybe about 2 cups of crushed ice.

I blended it and this Kale Green Smoothie is thick and creamy... and green.

 

Wait for it... Wait for it... "Mommy, this looks yucky... Do I have to eat that? It looks like explosive diarrhea," is what my daughter would say.  According to npr kids will chose foods, particularly fast foods, not for their nutrition, but for the handy-dandy toy in the meal box.  MindBodyGreen articles say that children choose foods with a smiley face on them.  My daughter does not think that is true.  A smiley face is not going to make something taste better, look better or have more toys in it. 

How did I serve this Kale Green Smoothie? Excellent question. I put the Kale Green Smoothie into a Disney Princess Cinderella BPA free kids cup.  My daughter said it "bubbles like explosive diarrhea."  Come to think of it, the Kale Green Smoothie did bubble, but she drank it anyway.  She asked for seconds too. 

I poured my Kale Green Smoothie into a glass cup.  It looks very green to me.  I don't mind.  I like my greens so this is just the way I like it.  These drinks are wonderfully healthy.  Kale has been called the "World's Healthiest Food."  Kale is loaded with fiber and antioxidants.  It helps with digestion and lowers cholesterol.  Kale contains Isothiocyanates (ITCs) has been known to lower the risks for several different types of cancer.  Surely, kale is a super food.  When you taste this, it is absolutely delicious.  This Kale Green Smoothie tastes like candy and it's healthy too.

This recipe is definitely kid approved.  My daughter loved the Cinderella cup.  She wasn't sure at first if she should drink it, but I dared her to do it, and she took a sip.  I got a thumbs up from the princess.  She drank all of her Kale Green Smoothie, and asked for more.  I had to pinch myself just to see if I was awake or dreaming.  I was awake and my daughter is eating her vegetables...Yay!  I will give this a Cinderella princess ending.  

They drank their Kale Green Smoothies, and lived happily ever after. 
~ The End ~

Thank you for reading.  Try making this Kale Green Smoothie sometime.  Subscribe to my blog for more free recipes, and keep reading.

Love, 

Lissa