I am a self-confessed green smoothie addict! I had been very pleased that I have not had a cold, or even so much as sniffle for the last few years, and of course as soon as I got out of my green smoothie habit for a couple of days last week I immediately caught the flu and could not get out of bed for over 2 days. The moral of the story, for me at least, is to make sure I get my daily (raw) greens. And being a freelancer I need to stay in top health at all times.
In an effort to bolster my immune system and send the pesky flu on its way Ed made me a super smoothie so packed with fruit and vegetables that it needed to be served from a bowl.  I am certainly feeling far far better from a healthy portion of this the last two mornings.
As with all smoothies, quantities are approximate. It’s best not to use too many different fruit and vegetables. We find that a maximum of four is about right.
Recipe: Green Thickie
Ingredients
- Large handful of leafy greens – spinach & kale mix
- 150 ml coconut water (I used Vita Coco)
- Good sprinkle of chia seeds
- Glug of flax oil
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- Handful frozen grapes
- Handful frozen baked butternut squash
- 1 small banana.
- 2 tbs Yeo Valley natural yoghurt
Instructions
- Blend the greens, chia seeds, and flax and coconut oils together – give the greens a good long blend to make sure that they’re really smooth.
- Then add the grapes, butternut squash and banana and blend again until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash or two of water.
- Finally, add yoghurt and blitz a few times to make sure it’s well mixed in.
- Serve in a bowl with a sprinkling of seeds, dried fruit and nuts.
If this recipe inspires you to be on a health kick, then you can win a Compact Power Juicer from Cuisinart – worth £100, from Yeo Valley – for a chance to win simply buy a pot of their new 0% fat orange, carrot and mango yoghurt, and enter the code inside the lid to see if you have won.
The new yoghurt is delicious, certainly different and a fantastic way to start getting used to adding extra vegetables to your diet.
For more smoothie inspiration pop over to Tinned Tomatoes where Jac loves her Vitamix as much as I adore mine, or buy a copy of Monica’s Smarter Fitter Smoothies.
I developed this recipe to promote the Yeo Valley Competition, and was provided with both a juicer and yoghurt to make my recipe. Thank you to Vita Coco for samples too. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.
Sylvia
This looks like a good boost of vitamins! Would love to try it ;)
Helen
I actually think I would have problems if my Vitamix disappeared.
Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.)
This looks great! I am tentatively getting on the smoothie bandwagon (inspired by Monica, of course!) and this looks like a perfect breakfast!
Helen
Please do join the smoothie club Mardi! You just need a Vitamix or similar now!
Choclette
That smoothie in a bowl is fantastic Helen. That’s got to have made you feel better. Just love the colour. I don’t really have the facility to make vegetable smoothies, but I’ve always admired yours.
Helen
The Vitamix is one of the things that I have been given to review that I would actually buy, eye wateringly expensive as they are.
Glamorous Glutton
What a great way of avoiding colds and flu, I’m sure that burst of vitamins is very healthy. GG
Helen
It works a treat, apart from the last week or so when I fell out of the habit. Although I am sure that working from home and not commuting during rush hour has also made a huge difference to the number of colds that I get.
London Unattached
Can I just say, I LOVE that name…thickie! I have a bad allergy to chia seeds which is a pain because they are so good for you!
Helen
Goodness Fiona, that is quite an unusual allergy to have, but on the bright side chia seeds are not that common.
I cannot claim that thickie is my invention, the internet is littered with green thickies – which usually contain oats to thicken them up.
Dan
Looks like a healthy breakfast. The color is amazing. :)
Helen
Thank you Dan. It is delicious too!
Deena Kakaya
Look at that vibrant green! I like the addition of frozen grapes and roasted squash, what a bowl packed with delicately paired and gently sweet flavours x
Helen
Thanks Deena,
It certainly does make for a healthy and delicious breakfast.
Urvashi
I love the colour of this. Looks so good for you. I would be in a good mood before I even started to eat it!
Helen
Not only good for you but also completely delish!
Jen @ Blue Kitchen Bakes
I feel healthier just looking at that photo, great recipe. Hope all the vitamins are pushing all the nasty germs away and that you’re feeling better now.
Helen
It seems to be working. Am feeling far better.
Tina @ The Spicy Pear
I feel healthy just looking at this picture so I can only imagine how good i will feel if I actually ate it. Hope you are feeling better now.
Helen
Getting there thanks Tina. It was delicious and my smoothie in a bowl will become a regular.
Jacqueline Meldrum
That is some smoothie! It would be nice with yoghurt swirled through as a dessert.
Helen
Swamp pudding!
Janie
I feel your pain, I sneezed so hard last night I had a nosebleed! Must beg Jonny to make me some greenies, no, thickies :)
Janie x
Helen
Ouch Jane. How horrible. I hate the sneezing that feels like you have ripped the lining of your throat out. Hope you are feeling better soon.
Lou, Eat Your Veg
Oh how unfortunate getting the flu, you poor thing. Hopefully now you’re well on the way to recovery, I’m sure you will be with bowls of green goodliness like this. Sounds invigorating!
Helen
Raw green veggies for breakfast are the business for many aliments.
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
I thought it was soup! Looks like a gazpacho smoothie then. Your lightroom photos are looking amazing!
Helen
Thank you Sarah. Am really pleased with them.
Morgan @ Peaches, Please
I get in and out of smoothie kicks, but this is certainly a recipe to ponder for when I stumble back into that habit.
Heather Haigh
I tried this, though just with spinach, as my blender isn’t up to making kale palatable enough – was really nice.
Helen
Super! And so good for you. I really recommend the Vitamix, but know it is a huge investment.
Heather Haigh
I live in hope! I don’t suppose you have any insight into the enpee blender? – supposedly a more affordable rival to the vitamix? – would love to know from someone unbiased as saving up for a vitamix may take longer than my lifetime lol.
Helen
I am about to review another blender Heather! Watch this space.
Heather Haigh
:)
Fiver Feeds
I’m looking forward to try this interesting recipe! :)
Janice
If only you had known that Ed had invented the Smoothie Bowl ;-) Looks like it will certainly do you good and a great way to pack in the vitamins.
Helen
Ha! I am sure this was an accidental recipe and I ran out of liquid for the smoothie.