Name: Green Smoothie with Kefir
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-483151H47M11S
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 handfuls (loosely packed cups) of organic baby kale or other organic dark leafy greens (notes 1 and 2); 2 stalks celery, washed and sliced crosswise into chunks; 3/4 cup plain kefir (note 3); 1 small green apple, washed, cored and cut into chunks (skin on); 1/2 lemon, skinned and de-seeded (note 4); 1/4 bunch of parsley, including stems (5-6 sprigs), washed and roughly chopped (note 5); 3-6 ice cubes

Description

Get your daily dose of vitamins, minerals, fiber, probiotics, and prebiotics in this refreshing gut-healthy green smoothie with kefir.

Ingredients

Units Scale

2 handfuls (loosely packed cups) of organic baby kale or other organic dark leafy greens (notes 1 and 2)
2 stalks celery, washed and sliced crosswise into chunks
3/4 cup plain kefir (note 3)
1 small green apple, washed, cored and cut into chunks (skin on)
1/2 lemon, skinned and de-seeded (note 4)
1/4 bunch of parsley, including stems (5-6 sprigs), washed and roughly chopped (note 5)
3-6 ice cubes

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Instructions

Equipment: Nutribullet Blender, Vitamix or other powerful blender

Add kefir and kale to blender and process until smooth.
Add the rest of the ingredients (except ice) and process until smooth.
Add ice and process until smooth.
Pour into two glasses, drink immediately and feel great!

Notes

Dark leafy greens for this smoothie: baby kale and boxed power greens are great and super convenient. You can also use other types of kale, spinach, chard or dandelion greens.
Should you use organic fruits and vegetables in your daily smoothie? I recommend using organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible for your daily smoothie. If organic isn't an option, check EWG's Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists to prioritize produce with the lowest pesticide residue. These lists can help you make informed choices about which conventional produce to buy.
Kefir - use whole milk or low-fat kefir. Just be sure to check ingredients and stick to brands that contain no added sugar or artificial ingredients.
Lemon adds bright tangy flavor and a good dose of vitamin C. For a slightly sweeter and equally vitamin C-rich option, substitute 1/4 cup of fresh pineapple.
Herbs - Feel free to substitute other green herbs, such as basil or mint, for parsley. Parsley is readily available year-round, but I especially love the taste of basil in this smoothie when it's in season.
Nutrition Disclaimer: We do our best to provide accurate nutrition values using an online nutrition calculator; however our nutrition information should be used only as an approximation.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: no cook
Category: Breakfast, drink, snack
Method: Puree