How to Make Three Cups of Spinach Taste Like Candy

On Thursday, August 15, Ashley Paquin of White Bird Wellness will be joining our Northwest Market to demo and sample her favorite super summer smoothie recipes. Stop by to meet Ashley, sip smoothies and gather recipes and wellness tips. Read on to learn why she thinks drinking your fruits and vegetables is so good and good for you!

___

By Ashley Paquin, White Bird Wellness

With gardens in full swing and the farmer’s markets bursting at the seams, smoothies are a great food to capture the seasons best while packing healthy food into a delicious and satisfying drink. With smoothies being both nutritious and tasty, they’re a wonderful treat for the whole family.

Here’s why smoothies are such a fantastic addition to your diet:

• Smoothies are a great way to increase fruit and vegetable consumption for both children and adults.
• Smoothies are the ultimate healthy fast food when done right. They can help curb your temptation for food that’s less than ideal and provide a nutritious meal that can be made in minutes.
• With all the fresh fruits and vegetables tucked inside smoothies, they’re full of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and all the other good stuff that boost immunity and fight disease.

So you might be asking what makes a smoothie good, right? There are a few key ingredients that will set this drink apart from those with the same name.

The three key ingredients to a healthy smoothie are:

Fruits – fresh fruits, especially seasonal berries are high in fiber, Vitamin C and antioxidants.

Greens – leafy greens such as kale, spinach and romaine are high in calcium, rich in essential vitamins and minerals, and some of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.

Protein  – like nuts, seeds, avocado and coconut oil all of which help maintain blood sugar and provide healthy fat for your brain, skin and organs.

Many of these foods can be found at the Portland Farmers Market, which is a showcase for some of the best food this region has to offer. Living in the Willamette Valley, and within reach to so many fantastic farms, smoothies are a sure way to eat the freshest food available while supporting Oregon farms, Oregon farmers and our own economy.

With endless flavor combinations, there’s no reason to let any of the seasons best go to waste. Here are two of my favorite recipes, both highlighting just how easy it is to eat well. These recipes are so good you might be asking for thirds, and this is my secret trick to making three cups of spinach taste like candy!

 Just Peachy

Makes about 20 ounces

Ingredients:

1 cup rice, oat or almond milk

1 cup fresh peaches (can substitute any stone fruit in season)

3 cups of spinach

1 TBSP. coconut oil (blends well if liquefied)

1 tsp. raw honey

Dash of sea salt

1 scoop of hemp protein powder (optional)

1 small handful of ice

 Directions: Blend liquid and greens first for an extra smooth consistency. Add all other ingredients and blend thoroughly.

Blueberry Be Good

Makes about 20 ounces

Ingredients:

1 cup rice, oat or almond milk

1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

1 frozen banana

3 cups spinach

1 TBSP. coconut oil

Small handful of mint leaves

1 tsp. local bee pollen (optional)

1 small handful of ice

Directions: Blend liquid and greens first for an extra smooth consistency. Add all other ingredients and blend thoroughly.

Ashley Paquin is a Wellness Coach and founder of White Bird Wellness, which is based in Portland, Oregon. Ashley works with clients all over the world teaching them how to create a healthy and sustainable lifestyle in a way that’s both easy and enjoyable. Ashley is a writer, blogger, lover of all things food, and has spent many years working at the Portland Farmers Market. Please visit whitebirdwellness.com for Ashley’s free e-book 10 Super Smoothies and find her on Facebook and Twitter.