We signed up for our local CSA again and I’m stocked up with kale. The good thing is that I’ve now figured out a way to use it thanks to Eating Well Magazine’s Green Smoothie.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 ripe medium bananas
• 1 ripe pear or apple, peeled if desired, chopped
• 2 cups chopped kale leaves, tough stems removed (see Notes)
• 1/2 cup cold orange juice
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 12 ice cubes
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (see Notes)

Get your daily dose of dark leafy greens any time of day with this delicious green smoothie. Ground flaxseed adds omega-3s. Pour any extra into a freezer-pop mold and have it later as a frozen green smoothie pop.

• INGREDIENTS

  • 2 ripe medium bananas
  • 1 ripe pear or apple, peeled if desired, chopped
  • 2 cups chopped kale leaves, tough stems removed (see Notes)
  • 1/2 cup cold orange juice
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 12 ice cubes
  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed (see Notes)

  • 
    

  PREPARATION

  Place bananas, pear (or apple), kale, orange juice, water, ice cubes and flaxseed in a blender. Pulse a few times, then puree until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary.

  TIPS & NOTES

  • Notes: Choose organic kale when possible. Nonorganic can have high pesticide residue.
  • Look for ground flaxseeds (or flaxmeal) in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets or in natural-foods stores. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

  NUTRITION

  Per serving: 240 calories; 3 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 55 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 5 g protein; 8 g fiber; 38 mg sodium; 987 mg potassium.

  Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (210% daily value), Vitamin C (208% dv), Potassium (28% dv), Magnesium (21% dv), Folate (18% dv).

  Carbohydrate Servings: 3

  Exchanges: 2 1/2 fruit, 1 vegetables

(I’ve adapted the recipe to make it lower carb):

I replace the orange juice with plain greek yogurt.

1 banana instead of 2.

no apple.

So it’s your basic smoothie with a banana, yogurt and kale but it actually tastes great, gives me energy post run, fills my stomach, and it’s a great way to use all that kale that comes to me via CSA! (Not as good as a freezer pop, I’d stick with the smoothie.) Plus, the kale tastes great-less bitter and I know I’m getting all that good green stuff. Bring on the Kale!