It's Smoothie Time!

Through my work with Green our Planet, (Creators of America's Largest School Garden Program), as the Chef Program Manager and Nutrition Chef, I educate students on how to use fresh garden produce and teach them the importance of eating healthy. I teach the students how to make fun and creative recipes, and show them how delicious and easy healthy eating can be! It's amazing to see how many kids love trying the dishes that I create for them. They always ask for second servings and can't wait to make it at home. I do get kids that are hesitant to try vegetables and refuse to try it at all, but a majority of them will try it.  Maybe because they were trying things that grew in their school garden, maybe because their friends tried it, or maybe because they know it's good for them...whatever the case, I love inspiring these students. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools in Las Vegas closed mid-March, and I could no longer deliver my program to the students. Green Our Planet found a solution by creating a Virtual Academy to bring nutrition and garden lessons to students.  My kitchen once again became a studio for videos ( I was about due to start making them again)!  I can't see the students in person right now, but I can see their smiles in my mind. Of course during this time, I will be experimenting with new recipes and testing them on my own son!

I always love teaching students how to make smoothies! They are always surprised at how good kale and spinach can taste!  Smoothies are a great way to get so many essential nutrients in! Don't have time for a big breakfast or lunch? Grab a smoothie! 

Some common items growing in the school gardens are lacinato "dinosaur" kale, spinach, cilantro, mint and chard. That is what inspired me to create this smoothie. The apples, dates and bananas add the perfect sweetness for the greens!  This smoothie changes names depending on the season (The Grinch's Smoothie, St. Patrick's Day smoothie, Green Monster Smoothie...you get the idea!) Just always keeping it fun for the students! What would you name this smoothie?

​Check out my video for the demonstration and to get all the nutritional facts about this delicious smoothie...Make sure to stay for the smoothie dance!

Green Machine Smoothie, a.k.a. The Grinch's Smoothie Recipe