Let's just get this straight: Hot Dog Boy is the last kid on earth you'd expect to drink green juice willingly.
But when he came down with a cold straight after a week that included few vegetables but lots of milkshakes, burgers, pizza, candy, and cookies, I went straight for the blender.
I try not to police what my kids eat. When you're 11, sometimes a week of Mom's-out-of-town-and-then-too-busy-to-cook pizza runs straight into a sleepover and then two evening concerts with treat-laden intermission snack tables. I understand this.
But at some point we all have to get back on track.
I make green smoothies for my husband; there's a bottle in the refrigerator most of the time. But I've had my personal ups and downs with green smoothies. Michael likes the texture. I prefer them strained, closer to juice.
This is our standard green smoothie. If Hot Dog Boy will drink it with a smile on his face, your kids will too.
P.S. This recipe is designed for a large, high-powered blender like my Vitamix. If you have a smaller blender, cut the recipe in half or you'll end up with Green Counters instead of Green Juice.
P.P.S. Hot Dog Boy really does eat a lot of fruits and vegetables these days. He might need a new nickname.
Green juice for Hot Dog Boy
A refreshing green smoothie with spinach or kale, cucumbers, apples, grapes, lime, and honey. Strain it for green juice or leave as is for a green smoothie. This recipe is designed for a large blender like my Vitamix; halve it if you have a smaller blender.
Ingredients
- 1 6-ounce bag baby spinach (substitute equal amount of baby kale)
- 2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled, cored and cut into chunks
- 1/2 large English cucumber, unpeeled, cut into chunks
- 1 lime, peel cut away (use entire flesh)
- 3 cups green grapes
- 2 Tablespoons honey, or to taste
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
Place all ingredients in the container of a high-powered blender. (If your blender is small, blend in batches.) Blend until very smooth, about 1 minute in my Vitamix. Serve chilled, either as is or strained through a fine-mesh strainer.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: approximately 2 liters
