Smoothies have become a regular item on many menus, from airports to fast food restaurants, trendy bistros and high end restaurants. Not all smoothies are the same! While smoothies give the impression of something that is healthy, just like reading label packages we need to know what goes into those blended concoctions. Some are loaded down with sugar and sugary fruit juice. Here at REAL we use whole foods, no sugar, no juice. I liked the term Blended Salad better than the word Smoothie, for this reason. Our Serious Smoothie is just that, a blended salad. It must be sipped slowly, holding the sip in your mouth before swallowing to allow the digestive juices to flow. It can take a long time to drink or eat this Smoothie and the energy from it will last even longer. The Balsamic Vinegar (the salad dressing) brings a combination of sweet and tart flavors.
Ingredients
1 bunch of kale, about 9 kale leaves
1 cup water
1 orange, peeled and sectioned
1 package frozen strawberries
1/3 cup walnuts
2 carrots, chopped in one inch chunks
2 celery stalks, chopped in chunks
1-2 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar (to taste)
6 ice cubes or more
Directions
A high-powered blender is recommended. If you do not have one, make sure you chopped all the ingredients in small pieces before you blend. Pour one cup of water in the blender. Add a few kale leaves at a time, processing until incorporated and smooth. Continue to add all the kale leaves. Add each ingredients, one at a time (except the vinegar and ice) until all are incorporate. Turn speed to high and blend until smooth. Add the vinegar, 1 Tablespoon at a time to taste. Next add in ice, if desired to chill and dilute.
Makes about 48-50 ounces, two large servings or more smaller ones.