Kale and apple smoothie

Kale and apple smoothie: yumm or yuck?

Have you ever tried a kale smoothie? I hear people talking about green smoothies all the time, but I'd never tried one before this week. Frankly, they always looked and sounded gross to me. I mean come on, I don't think I want to drink pureed greens! Gross.
Then a few weeks ago, during our regular Monday night "yoga" session (aka stretching and girl time), my friends Amber and Haripurkh were talking about how much they love kale smoothies. Really? They like the way they taste? Then Haripurkh said that she adds apple to hers, uses water as a base, and that they taste sweet and refreshing. My curiosity was piqued.
After searching for recipes on internet, and rummaging through the garden and fridge for ingredients, I ended up with something surprisingly delicious. My girls were right!

Kale and apple smoothie made with
water, lemon juice, and fresh mint

1 cup kale - packed (or greens of your choice)
1 cup water
1 medium apple, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
juice of 1 lemon
2 sprigs mint (10-15 leaves)
1 cup crushed ice

Blend together kale, water, apple, lemon juice and mint until completely smooth. Then add crushed ice and blend a little more, until desired consistency is reached.

The kale doesn't really add that much flavor, it tastes more like an apple, lemon, mint drink. Surprisingly refreshing is right. Thanks Amber and Haripurkh!

Have you ever made a green smoothie? What do you put in yours? I'd love to know for inspiration.

Above are the ingredients for the smoothie I made today. That's 'lacinato' or 'dinosaur' kale in the front and chard in the back (both overwintered in my garden really well). This is the last of my winter kale so I subbed in some chard, and it worked out just fine. There is also a Eureka lemon from California, a Fuji apple from Washington, Moroccan mint from my backyard, and crushed ice from the Cedar River watershed (okay I put that last bit in just to be obnoxious).

'Lacinato' kale seedlings. If I want more kale I have to
wait for these little cuties to grow up!

I have plenty of 'bright lights' chard left in the garden from last year. It overwintered really well, which is perfect for early spring, when everything else is so tiny.

'Bright lights' chard is an assortment of different colors, but I love the fuschia pink!
Can you see the chives tucked behind the chard leaves? I'm so happy it's spring. 

I like to grow mint in pots so it can't take over my garden beds. It's a very aggressive plant!
This is 'Moroccan' mint, which is fantastic in drinks.
If you are a "challenged" or new gardener, try growing mint! 

These apple blossoms are a sign of good things to come. 
Did you know that we got our apple tree for free through 
the City of Seattle? Check it out here: Seattle reLeaf