I am going to try spinach and kale in a blender?

MelaniaTrump
MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
edited December 2024 in Recipes
I will add 1 cup of water.
1/2 cup of frozen walmart chopped spinach
1/2 cup of frozen walmart chopped kale (yes, they sell this).
I will blend in a $14 mixer. Hamilton Beach.

What will this taste like? Do people make green drinks like this?
I don't do almond milks (nut waters). Expensive for the nutrition.
Coconut water is pricey and I don't think it's worth the calories.
I don't want to add fruit or fruit juices of any kind to keep it low calorie.
I hope to get a response in 24 hours.
Anyone drink it plain like this? Again, I do not want to add calories unless they are worth it.
Currently I try to eat a big green salad at least 2 times a week (huge salad). This would make it easier if I could be a bit daily. I have low sodium v8 I could add.

Replies

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    I often put spinach or kale in smoothies, but I've never done it just alone. I imagine it would taste pretty bland, as I don't taste spinach or kale when they're mixed with other things. If I was determined to do this (it sounds pretty joyless, tbh, although some people may enjoy it), I would add the V8. But I think I'd rather eat a big salad than drink a glass of liquified greens.
  • Alluminati
    Alluminati Posts: 6,208 Member
    It is delicious!
    You should make it a double
    You won't regret it
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Your haiku skills could use some work
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Just leaf and water sounds disgusting to me.
  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    edited July 2016
    I always use spinach and kale in my smoothies, in addition to a scoop of protein powder. To be honest, I can't imagine not adding some form of fruit, so usually add either mixed frozen fruit (40-70 cals) or a banana (105 cals). Really, those few calories make such a teenie impact in my daily calories, so well worth it to enjoy a yummy shake, rather than force down a dull, green shake. Calories aren't evil, don't be afraid of them!

    Also, there are recipes out there for home made V8 juice, you should look them up! With your blender, you could totally maximize the benefits!
  • Alluminati
    Alluminati Posts: 6,208 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    Just leaf and water sounds disgusting to me.

    yeah but your not a frog
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Alluminati wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    Just leaf and water sounds disgusting to me.

    yeah but your not a frog

    Shouldn't frogs be eating bugs and water?
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Alluminati wrote: »
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    Alluminati wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    Just leaf and water sounds disgusting to me.

    yeah but your not a frog

    Shouldn't frogs be eating bugs and water?

    not vegetarian ones

    I once heard a rumor that Lionel Ritchie was briefly a vegan. Can you confirm this?
  • BABetter1
    BABetter1 Posts: 618 Member
    edited July 2016
    I used to make a smoothie with baby spinach and kale, but it also had blueberries, half a banana, walnuts, and vanilla protein powder. It was delicious. I can't imagine having just the leaves. I am on a low carb WOE now, so I couldn't probably do the banana nowadays if I made one.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    I often put spinach or kale in smoothies, but I've never done it just alone. I imagine it would taste pretty bland, as I don't taste spinach or kale when they're mixed with other things. If I was determined to do this (it sounds pretty joyless, tbh, although some people may enjoy it), I would add the V8. But I think I'd rather eat a big salad than drink a glass of liquified greens.

    Agree with all of this.
  • questionfear
    questionfear Posts: 527 Member
    I would suggest blending the spinach and kale with a bit of liquid first, then addingthe other liquid and ingredients. They tend to be tough to blend and I've personally found that meant they blended more uniformly so you dont get as much of that "gritty salad in a glass" mouthfeel.
  • Sloth2016
    Sloth2016 Posts: 838 Member
    edited July 2016
    OP, here are some of my green smoothie secrets:

    1. add a tablespoon of greek yogurt - gives it creamy smooth texture
    2. add mint leaves - Taste is amazing!
    3. if you like sweet, add a touch of agave or honey.
    4. if you'd like more taste and can handle the extra calories, add in a few almonds (assuming your blender is able to pulverize them).

    Blend on!
  • teetertatertango
    teetertatertango Posts: 229 Member
    Sorry if this is a silly question, but if you are not going to add anything to add to/disguise the flavor of the greens, wouldn't it be easier to just eat the greens on a plate? Adding 1 cup of water and nothing else just means it will take longer to choke them down if you don't like them, and if you do like them it's still easier to just eat them with a spoon isn't it? What am I missing here?
  • knelson077
    knelson077 Posts: 1 Member
    edited July 2016
    This is going to sound disgusting, but I make a smoothie with Starbucks instant iced coffee, water, and spinach. Sometimes I add Greek Yogurt or protein powder. Tastes better than it looks. Spinach has a milder flavor than kale.
  • nutmegoreo
    nutmegoreo Posts: 15,532 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    Just leaf and water sounds disgusting to me.

    Agreed, but I don't like kale.

    You could add some veggies to change up the flavor. If I need low cal, I add cucumber and carrots. It adds a little flavor and sweetness. I tried a spinach, tomato, cucumber blend with balsamic vinegar. It might sound weird, but it tasted nice (I was surprised by that, TBH). The tomato skin made that one more lumpy though, so consider peeling it. I've also used bell peppers. Play with and have fun!
  • lrsirius
    lrsirius Posts: 328 Member
    I add a scoop of vanilla protein powder, it actually makes it an enjoyable meal; I'll add a few frozen pineapple bits to make it truly delish. Still low cal.
  • Getfitat54
    Getfitat54 Posts: 526 Member
    MelaniaTrump wrote: »
    I will add 1 cup of water.
    1/2 cup of frozen walmart chopped spinach
    1/2 cup of frozen walmart chopped kale (yes, they sell this).
    I will blend in a $14 mixer. Hamilton Beach.

    What will this taste like? Do people make green drinks like this?
    I don't do almond milks (nut waters). Expensive for the nutrition.
    Coconut water is pricey and I don't think it's worth the calories.
    I don't want to add fruit or fruit juices of any kind to keep it low calorie.
    I hope to get a response in 24 hours.
    Anyone drink it plain like this? Again, I do not want to add calories unless they are worth it.
    Currently I try to eat a big green salad at least 2 times a week (huge salad). This would make it easier if I could be a bit daily. I have low sodium v8 I could add.


    I want to try kale, but Wal-Mart sells it in such a big bag... if I don't like then I'm stuck.

  • enterdanger
    enterdanger Posts: 2,447 Member
    No offense, but just kale and spinach frozen in a blender sounds awful. Like the worst slurpee ever. Can you add regular milk? Or, like @queenliz99 said just roast them into chips? I'd have to add some fruit to that to hide the taste and I like both kale and spinach.
  • MelaniaTrump
    MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
    I'm going to try adding either a 1/2 banana or 1/2 serving of frozen blueberries. I'm also going to buy some plain greek yogurt for next time (really did not think of that).
    I guess I have to add some water water. Not sure. I don't know if spinach and milk would go well, but I might try vanilla protein powder. Not sure.
    Interesting how someone played with mixing it iced coffee. Creative.
    I hope my $14 little mixer can handle it.

  • GrannyO62
    GrannyO62 Posts: 1 Member
    I like this one:
    Kale, Spinach, 1/2 banana, Tropicana 50 juice, 1/3 cup coconut milk yogurt, 1/2 cup of your favorite frozen fruit (I freeze watermelon and grapes and use them)
    Enjoy!
  • MelaniaTrump
    MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
    I could not do it. I do not have all those ingredients, and really wanted to keep a green smoothie under 100 calories. Just something to chug down. Does not have to taste good.
    I looked at my tiny blender. I looked at the 2.5 ounces of power greens big bunch (spinach&kale). I looked at 8 ounces of water.
    I think if I had a real blender, like a ninja or a vitamix I would have done it.
    My 2-3 cup $14 blender was not about to handle that.
    The spinach/kale was the size of a plate. Using any less would have been a waste of time for me.

    I wish there were a way to eat a lot of power greens fast without added calories.
    Guess I'll just have a salad today.
  • Alluminati
    Alluminati Posts: 6,208 Member
    MelaniaTrump wrote: »
    I could not do it. I do not have all those ingredients, and really wanted to keep a green smoothie under 100 calories. Just something to chug down. Does not have to taste good.
    I looked at my tiny blender. I looked at the 2.5 ounces of power greens big bunch (spinach&kale). I looked at 8 ounces of water.
    I think if I had a real blender, like a ninja or a vitamix I would have done it.
    My 2-3 cup $14 blender was not about to handle that.
    The spinach/kale was the size of a plate. Using any less would have been a waste of time for me.

    I wish there were a way to eat a lot of power greens fast without added calories.
    Guess I'll just have a salad today.

    You could chop up the leaves into smaller portions and feed them to the blender.
  • tludvik
    tludvik Posts: 5 Member
    To give it some flavor with no added calories, add in some fresh squeezed lemon juice and a little bit of peeled ginger root
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    Just leaf and water sounds disgusting to me.

    That's exactly what I thought..
  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    edited July 2016
    MelaniaTrump wrote: »
    I could not do it. I do not have all those ingredients, and really wanted to keep a green smoothie under 100 calories. Just something to chug down. Does not have to taste good.
    I looked at my tiny blender. I looked at the 2.5 ounces of power greens big bunch (spinach&kale). I looked at 8 ounces of water.
    I think if I had a real blender, like a ninja or a vitamix I would have done it.
    My 2-3 cup $14 blender was not about to handle that.
    The spinach/kale was the size of a plate. Using any less would have been a waste of time for me.

    I wish there were a way to eat a lot of power greens fast without added calories.
    Guess I'll just have a salad today.

    Salad is a great way of getting those veg in, I eat one almost every day! (Why do you want your shake to be under 100 calories, I wonder?)
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    Salad water does not seem too appealing. Is there a reason why you can't just eat the stuff or add other ingredients to mask the grassy water taste?
This discussion has been closed.

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