Favorite Green Smoothies & Giveaway!

Posted by on October 30, 2012 in Announcements, Beverages & Smoothies, Blog, Fruit, Vegetables & Vegetarian | 23 comments

After a busy weekend which left me with little time to post this giveaway on Saturday as I originally promised, finally, I am able to share with you information about my very first gift for my visitors to help celebrate my new blog home!

Almost two months ago, I started making and drinking green smoothies for breakfast. Since then, if I don’t have a green smoothie a day, I simply do not feel right. I will still occasionally enjoy a breakfast of eggs, oatmeal or cereal, and indulge in my husband’s Sunday breakfasts that he makes for us, but it somehow leaves me unsatisfied. I always feel much better, healthier, and lighter, when I’ve started my day with a green smoothie.

I must thank one of my childhood besties, N, for my green smoothie habit. I like to call her the trendsetter of our group of besties. She tried some of the recipes from Ani Phyo’s raw diet and she looks great! She also says she feels great too. I believe it! The raw diet starts with a three (3) day liquid diet detox which involves smoothies and soup. After the 3-day detox, my friend modified her raw meal plan to incorporate smoothies, salads, lean protein as well as non-raw foods.

For the record, I didn’t do the 3-day liquid diet detox because I’ve done one medically necessary  5-week liquid diet post surgery and I never hope to do another liquid diet ever. And yes, you will likely lose weight on a liquid diet, even if only for 3-days, but this post is more about adding extra greens to your diet via green smoothies and a quick and easy (it’s healthy too) idea for a yummy breakfast on the go.

That being said, I’ve really come to enjoy drinking my breakfast every morning and incorporating more raw food (i.e. salads) into my lunch repertoire which in the past usually consisted of leftovers from the night before. I’ve definitely noticed a difference when I eat salad or raw foods for lunch versus a heavier lunch consisting of proteins and carbs.

My love affair with green smoothies has been going on for almost two months now so I’ve been really looking forward to sharing my favorite concoctions. In addition, I have a newfound love for my beautiful Zojirushi Stainless Steel Vacuum Mug which keeps my green smoothies chilled for several hours. It also acts as a thermos and will keep hot beverages warm for hours!

Please note that this box is unopened. The sample Stainless Steel Mug that is featured in this photos is an example and is my own favorite mug that I use for my green smoothies. 

Well, the cat’s out of the bag! My first giveaway is a product that I love.

A 12 oz *Zojirushi Stainless Steel Vaccum Mug in Champagne Gold!

Yes, it’s the same exact color and model that I use almost on a daily basis. This mug works great for me because I blend my green smoothie while Bebe E is eating her breakfast and then I pour it into my fabulous Zojirushi mug and we’re out the door ready for the day.

Before I get to the giveaway details (posted beneath the printable recipe box), I’d like to share some simple green smoothie concoctions that I’ve come to love and enjoy on a daily basis, as well as some great blending tips.

Things I’ve learned for blending quickly on a busy morning:

  1. Pre-wash vegetables such as spinach leaves and kale, and store these in airtight containers for the week.
  2. Pre-cut soft tofu into 2 x 2 inch squares and store these in water in an airtight container. Note, this is also good for making quick hiyayako or Japanese cold tofu for lunch or dinner (click here for recipe).
  3. Keep your blender on the counter in an area that’s very easily accessible.
  4. Keep other favorite ingredients easily accessible.
  5. You don’t need to necessarily measure ingredients, despite the fact that I’ve provided measurements below. Mine always turn out OK using handfuls of this or that ingredient. ;)
*Note: All the recipes that follow yield about 16 ounces.

 

Green Smoothie Concoction #1: “My First Avocado Smoothie”

This was the first smoothie that I started with and it was a favorite for a few weeks. The avocado tends to be thick, so adding plenty of water to thin it out is key. I no longer add honey to these smoothies as I’ve come to appreciate the drink’s natural flavors, but in the beginning, adding just a touch of honey made these smoothies extra yummy.

  • 1/2 avocado
  • 2 cups spinach leaves
  • 1 to 2 dinosaur kale leaves, stem removed
  • 1/2 orange, peeled (substitute 1/2 cup orange juice if desired, or frozen straberries)
  • 1/4 cup roasted almonds
  • 1/2 cup unsweeted vanilla almond milk
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup cold water to thin smoothie to desired consistency
  • 1/2 cup ice
  • 1 teaspoon matcha powder
  • Honey, to taste (optional)
Green Smoothie Concoction #2: “The Bride’s Avocado Smoothie”
After heavily marketing my love of green smoothies to my lovely friend, “my bride“, during her pre-wedding festivities, she texted me her version of an avocado smoothie which I found to be light and refreshing. I loved the extra flavor that the ginger provided and it was a real “pick me up” in the morning. To her concoction, I added matcha powder and for me, it was a flavor home run for me.
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 – 2 kale leaves, stems removed
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon matcha powder
  • 1/2 cup – 1 1/2 cups water, to thin smoothie to desired thickness
  • 1/2 cup ice
  • Honey, to taste (optional)
Green Smoothie Concoction #3: “Orange, Banana & Vanilla Smoothie”
This is one of my favorite smoothies in the morning. I’ve been drinking one version or another of this smoothie and I love-love-love it! Lately, I have not been adding the vanilla extract and this version can be found in the printable recipe box below. This wonderful concoction was shared by my bestie, N.
  • 2 cups spinach leaves
  • 1 – 2 dinosaur kale branches (or green/purple curly kale), leaves only stem removed
  • 1 orange, peeled and halved
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1/4 cup roasted whole almonds
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon alcohol-free vanilla extract (available at Trader Joe’s)
  • 1/2 cup ice
  • 1/2 – 3/4 cup cold water to thin smoothie to desired consistency
  • Honey, to taste (optional)
Green Smoothie Concoction #4: “Citrus or Tart Fruit of Choice, Banana, and Almond Smoothie”
Lately, this is the “go to” smoothie for me. I am obsessed with this smoothie and I will crave this if I don’t have it in the morning. It’s a combination of different things but this is what works for me. :) I never use honey to sweeten my green smoothies anymore. I love the natural flavors that come through, with just a hint of sweetness from the fruit. I love oranges or frozen pineapple with this concoction. Recently I’ve been adding soft tofu in addition to the almonds for protein. Finally, depending on my mood, some days I add matcha powder, other days I don’t. This smoothie never disappoints. I love it.
NOTE: This is the recipe that you’ll find in the printable recipe box below.
  • 2 cups spinach leaves
  • 1 – 2 dinosaur kale branches (or green/purple curly kale), leaves only stem removed
  • 1 orange, peeled and halved *NOTE: I often substitute the orange with frozen strawberries or frozen pineapple chunks. Any tart fruit will likely work.)
  • 1/2 banana
  • 2 x 2 inch piece of soft tofu
  • 1/4 cup roasted whole almonds
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon matcha powder
  • 1/2 cup ice
  • 1/2 – 3/4 cup cold water to thin smoothie to desired consistency
  • Honey, to taste (optional)
Print
Green Smoothie with Orange, Banana & Almonds
Author: 
Recipe type: Beverage
 
Ingredients
  • 2 cups spinach leaves
  • 1 - 2 dinosaur kale branches (or green/purple curly kale)
  • ½ banana
  • 1 orange, peeled and quartered (or other citrus fruit, frozen pineapple chunks or frozen strawberries)
  • 2 x 2 inch piece of soft tofu
  • ¼ cup whole almonds (roasted or raw)
  • ½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (optional but I prefer to add this)
  • 1 teaspoon matcha powder
  • ½ cup ice
  • ½ - ¾ cup cold water to thin smoothie to desired consistency
  • Honey, to taste (optional)
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender, including whole almonds.
  2. Pulse until almonds and ice are crushed. Blend on high for 3 minutes for smooth drink and best results.

 Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug Giveaway

Enter to win one (1) 12 oz Champagne – Gold Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug!

This giveaway is open to residents of the United States only. You are eligible to enter this giveaway in more than one way. You will be entered one time for each type of entry you complete. In other words, the more entries you submit, the better your chances of winning! :) In the Comments section of this post, please let me know the ways in which you entered this giveaway. This entry will be open through Friday, November 9, 2012 until midnight (Pacific Standard Time). The winner will be selected via random number generator and contacted via email.

1. Become a fan on Facebook by “LIKING” my Bebe Love Okazu Fan Page. (Click here for Facebook Fan Page link) Please leave a comment indicating that you “LIKED” my page. If you are already a Fan, indicate as such in the comment section and I will consider that to be one (1) entry as well.

2. If you are already a fan on Facebook, or you just became a fan on Facebook, share the news about this Green Smoothie post and this Giveaway, along with a link. I will consider this to be an additional one (1) entry.

3. Follow Bebe Love Okazu on Twitter. (Click here for Twitter link) If you are already a Twitter follower, please indicate as such in the comment section and I will consider that to be one (1) entry.

4. Share the news about this Green Smoothie post and this Giveaway, via Twitter. I will consider this to be an additional one (1) entry.

5. Follow Bebe Love Okazu on Pinterest. (Click here for Pinterest link). I will consider this to be an additional one (1) entry.

6. If you are not on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, no problem! Simply leave a comment about your thoughts on green smoothies. This is also an additional way for fans, tweeters, and pinners to enter one more way!

7. Subscribe to my blog via email notification by clicking on the “Subscribe to Blog” on the upper right hand column.

*Please Note: This giveaway is not sponsored by, or affiliated with, Zojirushi in any way. This giveaway item was purchased by Bebe Love Okazu and will be gifted to the winner according to a random number generator. Your email address that is entered in the Comment section is kept confidential and will only be used to contact you regarding the Giveaway if you are the winner.

Thanks for celebrating my new blog home with me!

GOOD LUCK! :)

 

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