Vitamix 5200 Smoothie Recipes

Good Morning and TGIF!

I hope everyone is having a good day so far and are excited for the weekend.  I just got back from a fabulous run with Gumbo (my dog) and am feeling energetic and excited about the day ahead. 

So I have to tell you I freaking LOVE the Vitamix.  This machine is incredible and worth every penny.  I am going to share what I have made so far and am continuing to tweak recipes and hope to come up with a fabulous beauty elixir.  Can you tell I like the word "elixir"?

Beet, Berry, Swiss Chard Smoothie

1 cup So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk Beverage

1/2 cup Fage 0% Greek yogurt

1/2 raw beet

1/2 cup frozen berry mix (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries)

2 cups Swiss Chard

Add the above ingredients into Vitamix in the order listed.  Put the speed at Variable 1 and turn on.  Quickly turn the variable to 10 and then to High and blend for 1-2 minutes.  Pour into glass and enjoy!

Thoughts on this smoothie-- Yummy.  I liked the beets and the swiss chard was interesting.  I am playing around with my greens to see which one makes the best smoothie.  I may try this one again but use spinach instead of the swiss chard because the beet is a strong flavor in itself. I may add a tsp of Agave Nectar as well. 

Kale, Blueberry, Banana Cream Smoothie

1 cup So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk Beverage

1 scoop Lean Dessert Banana Cream Protein Powder (or protein powder of choice

1/2 frozen banana

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

3-5 kale leaves, roughly chopped

1 tbsp ground flaxseed

Add the above ingredients into Vitamix in the order listed. Put the speed at Variable 1 and turn on. Quickly turn the variable to 10 and then to High and blend for 1-2 minutes. Pour into glass and enjoy!

Super Yummy!

Kale, Apple, Lemon Ginger Elixir

1 cup So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk Beverage

1/2 apple (whole- seeds and all)

1/2 lemon

1 inch nub of fresh ginger

4-5 kale leaves

1 tbsp ground flaxseed

Add the above ingredients into Vitamix in the order listed. Put the speed at Variable 1 and turn on. Quickly turn the variable to 10 and then to High and blend for 1-2 minutes. Pour into glass and enjoy!

So this one did not have any protein powder and was absolutely delicious!  The apple, ginger and lemon combo made me feel really clean and healthy.  YUM. Yum. Yum.

I ate the other half of apple sliced up with a tablespoon of Sunbutter and that really filled me up.  I am trying to figure out how to add these smoothies into my diet.  So far I have been having them for lunch because you know I can't give up my oatmeal bowls.

Blueberry Almond Chia Oats

Speaking of Chia Seeds-- don't forget to enter the Chia Seeds Direct Giveaway 2011!  Click here to enter:  http://eatdrinkandbeaware.blogspot.com/2011/02/chia-seed-direct-giveaway-2011.html

I am thinking about making the smoothies in the morning to set the morning off right and then eat oatmeal for lunch. Hmm.... that just may work.

I am having a ball playing around with the Vitamix and have so much more to learn.  And if any of you have a favorite Vitamix recipe please share!

I am also looking for some kid-friendly dinner ideas.  Last night the kids had:

Brown Rice, Edamame, Bell Peppers and Cucumbers

This is a common meal for us and although it is healthy I think we need to expand our horizons a bit.  This is just one of those meals that they will actually eat and as you can see everything has its separate area-- nothing is touching!  Simple seems to work best with my kids.  I have been brainstorming ideas of what to make the kids for Valentine's Dinner but keep coming back to the idea of keeping it SIMPLE because otherwise they won't eat it.  Ha! 

For example, I made myself one of these and I think the kids would love it if they would just try it but there is "sauce" and it is mixed together.  I will keep on trying.

Spicy Peanut and Edamame Wrap

from the Flexitarian Diet by Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, LDN

1 tbsp peanut butter (I used SunButter)

1 tsp sesame oil

2 tbsps rice vinegar

Dash of red pepper flakes

1/2 cup shelled frozen edamame, thawed

1/2 cup shredded carrots

2 small (6-inch) whole grain tortillas

Whisk together peanut butter, oil, vinegar and red pepper flakes. Toss with edamame and carrots, and wrap mixture in tortillas. Heat in microwave for 30 to 45 seconds. Drizzle a little siracha sauce for extra kick!

I am off to work.  I have got a Wellness Coach session and then am heading to school to work on the upcoming Auction.

Please check back because I actually went to Grain Integrative Health yesterday and had a Nutritional Consultation with a Naturopathic Doctor and got a Detox Message.  I can't wait to share my experience with you and to tell you about some of the changes I am going to make in my diet.  Let's just say it was very enlightening and I already lost 2 lbs just going yesterday!  I know.... isn't that incredible.  I don't think that is typical but I have been troubled by some weight I have gained since I moved here and was able to discuss this with the doctor and come up with some changes for greater health which make sense to me. 

Check back soon.