The Green Smoothie - Trick, Treat, or a Little of Both?

For about six months now, I've been serving up a mysterious green beverage at lunch each afternoon. This unique drink can scare the faint of heart if they happen to be watching what gets dumped into my blender, but what they may not realize is how delicious and addictive it is!

I'm talkin' green smoothies here. They're loaded with nutrition and taste like dessert, so don't let the strange hue throw you. If you're looking to sneak veggies into your kids' diets, this is the perfect way. And with Halloween around the corner, you can pass the beverage off as a witch's brew or eye of newt or bug juice. Just get gross about naming it and I'm sure they'll be intrigued.

Here's how I do it: Most of my smoothies have 1/2 a banana in there for sweetness, but sometimes I use a couple of dates (without pits - your blender asked me to remind you). Then I may toss in 1/2 a cored apple or a peeled kiwi. A handful of grapes (with or without seeds) makes a nice addition. After that, the fun really starts. I usually have a tub of fresh baby spinach in the fridge. One handful of that or a Swiss chard leaf adds nutrition that is virtually tasteless! (Read: They'll never know it's in there if you don't tell them.) I sometimes add a small amount of sprouts or dried seaweed for an extra vitamin kick. After that, I fill the blender to the 2-cup mark with our favorite juice or soy milk and blend it until smooth.

The possibilities are endless here. The best part is, when you blend the fresh fruits and vegetables, you're breaking down the structure of the plant much more than chewing it, which releases all its goodness. Something about the little cell walls being smashed.

When my son hears the blender, he gets excited and can hardly stand waiting for his smoothie! The amount I discussed here is enough for two adults to have a glass if they each promise to share with an eager toddler. But lately I've been making a little more so my son can have his own portion and Mom and Dad can enjoy their own!