The Blending Basics

There I was…almost a week out from intensive jaw reconstruction surgery, desperately trying to nourish my seemingly starving self.  My face was swollen up to the size of a watermelon and my bruises had been likened to that of Rocky Balboa post-fight with Apollo Creed.  (Seriously. If I had been screaming “Adrienne!” at the top of my lungs, you wouldn’t have been able to tell us apart.)  Having been informed that I would have to be on a strictly liquid diet for two-weeks post-op, I was getting more than a little blender happy.  Case in point - there I was, standing in front of my food processor about to blend…Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo.  I know, I know.  It sounds absolutely loony, but the way I figured it, if I added enough milk and hot melted cheese to my ‘concoction,’ I should’ve been able to get the pasta to a smoothie like consistency, and in that moment, a protein-laced, calorie-heavy, fettuccine smoothie sounded like the most brilliant idea since the bacon bowl (the bacon bowl is a real product - trust me, it exists).  

Well, as it turned out, all I ended up with was a bowl full of hot mush and an even hungrier stomach.  At this point, I bet you are thinking, “What’s wrong with Polly?  Does she not know that protein shakes, smoothies and powders exist?”  The truth of the matter is, not only do I know they exist, I’ve tried them.  ALL of them.  From GNC, to Ensure, to Smoothie King’s flavored soy protein options, to even the Whole Foods organic equivalent.  And there was one thing that all of these dietary supplements had in common: their sickly sweetness!  After a week of sugar-laced drinks, I craved something savory and sour, not fluffy and fruity.  So I hit the books, cookbooks that is, and began to search for a recipe that would quell my craving.  After much trial and error, and some personal ingredient additions of my own, I landed upon a green and healthy smoothie recipe that fit the bill!  And now, though my diet has graduated to flakey fish and soft pastas, I still treat myself with this delicious drink because it fills me up and makes me feel great! 

The Secret Weapon In This Super Smoothie

What makes this healthy smoothie recipe so spectacular is that its liquid base is coconut water, which is known as Mother Nature’s sports drink.  It’s jam packed with hydrating electrolytes and is not to be confused with fatty and sugar-laden coconut oil or coconut milk.  Additionally, coconut water is cholesterol free and is also loaded with potassium, making it the optimum base for a super smoothie.  In my case, I use organic coconut water infused with pineapple, which though adding to the overall sugar content of the drink, is beneficial because pineapple contains large quantities of Bromelain, or enzymes that have been proven to counteract symptoms of swelling (and with my punching bag of a face, I say bring on the Bromelain). 

The Ingredients 

1/2 of an English Cucumber (peeled and chopped)

1/2 of a Pear (make sure it’s ripe, peeled and chopped)

1/2 of a Pineapple (peeled and chopped and if you freeze it beforehand, it will serve to cool down the drink!)

1 cup of Baby Spinach 

Mint Leaves (to taste)

1/2 a cup of Coconut Water (plain or pineapple infused, make sure it’s chilled)

A Squirt of Lime Juice (to taste)

1 tsp of Agave Nectar or Honey (depending on whether you like your smoothies sweet or sour, add these ingredients to taste, or not at all!)  

Crushed Ice

Preparation Time: 10 minutes tops

Puree all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor on high until liquefied.

Helpful Hints

This smoothie is best consumed cold.  I always am an advocate for fresh and organic fruits and veggies, but I have found that Trader Joe’s sells fantastic organic frozen pineapple.  Using frozen pineapple eliminates the need for crushed ice.  Ice, in some cases and with some blenders, can REALLY damage your appliance, so consider this substitute before shopping for your ingredients.  Also, while I enjoy the taste of the smoothie the best when the pear and cucumber have been peeled, the peels of both of these ingredients are rich with victims and minerals.

If you are looking to go above and beyond for your body, consider including the peel in your concoction (I’ll shoot strait with you.  I’ve tried the smoothie with the peels included, and all I can say is, it tastes like you are doing something good for yourself; meaning, in my opinion, it’s not as effortless of a taste. The yuck factor kicks up a notch.) Finally, the portion size of this recipe is quite large, meaning it’s meant to be shared!  Grab an extra glass and invite a friend to go green and give this healthy smoothie recipe a whirl!