This past summer I learned a really great secret about kale and smoothies. I was talking to my neighbor about how I try so hard to enjoy kale in smoothies, but I can’t. Spinach blends so well and fits into smoothies like a charm, but I want to enjoy kale in smoothies too, because kale contains less oxalates (which can reduce calcium absorption) and it also may positively effect serum cholesterol levels (this is especially true for steamed kale). I also want Nick to get some kale in his diet, but kale is impossible to hide in a smoothie because it has a slightly bitter taste that can make a good smoothie unpalatable.
So…what’s the secret?? FREEZE YOUR KALE! Yep, you read that right, freeze it. Take a freezer bag and put a head of washed, dried, and chopped kale into the bag, and allow it to freeze for at least 10 hours.
After that you can add it to your smoothie just like normal. I promise you it will be less bitter and slightly sweeter! Now you can feed yourself and your loved ones kale (both young and old), and they won’t taste the bitterness in their sweet fruit smoothie. And what’s not to love about kale? Aside from its ability to bind bile acids and help you excrete them (along with cholesterol), it’s also been shown to have some anti-carcinogenic properties, reduce chronic-inflammation, and is an excellent source of vitamins K, C, and beta carotene.
Here is your “all fruit smoothie” Nick…..Muahaha
The smoothie in the picture above contains 1 large handful of frozen kale, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1 banana, and enough unsweetened vanilla almond milk to cover the ingredients.
And sometimes the smoothie just looks ugly. In that case, put it in a pretty martini glass, it helps
Aside from frozen kale and fresh spinach, two other vegetables I love to add to smoothies are pumpkin puree and cooked sweet potato. Both are delicious additions to smoothies and add great texture and natural sweetness.
QUESTION: Do you ever add veggies to your smoothies? Have you ever tried frozen kale in your smoothies?
Next week I’ll be posting a delicious citrus kale salad recipe. So, I hope you love kale as much as I do! Until then, I’m off to work for the day then tomorrow Nick and I are off on a romantic trip up north. Yep, we’ve got a heart-shaped jacuzzi in our room. HA! I’ll be sure to post pics on INSTAGRAM (The Candid RD)!
