3 Tips for Green Smoothie Success (For Beginners)

Three Tips for Green Smoothie Success (For Beginners)

If you just learned about green smoothies, you may be excited to try them out. Green smoothies all the rage these days, and for a good reason: they are super easy to make and super tasty.

However, you still need to know some basic rules to make your smoothies a success. If you don't, you may be disappointed and become discouraged quickly, before they become a part of your life.

So here are my top three tips for green smoothie success (for beginners):

Green Smoothie Success Tip #One: Be Aware of Strong Tasting Greens

First of all, when you're just starting out, don't use really strong tasting ingredients, such as mustard greens, cabbage, Swiss chard, parsley or watercress. Even though these ingredients are super healthy, if you add too much of them to a smoothie, it may become unpalatable, so it's best to avoid them altogether, at least initially. I find that the best ingredients for beginners are baby greens (such as spinach, lettuce, or arugula), celery stalks (see the tip below about the best blenders to buy), and lots of sweet, juicy fruits.

Green Smoothie Success Tip #Two: Buy the Best Blender for Your Green Smoothies That You Can Afford

If you don't have a high power blender, such as Vitamix or Blendtec, you may want to avoid really tough greens and vegetables, such as kale leaves or celery stalks, as your blender may not be able to handle the challenge, and you'll end up with a smoothie with lots of tough chunks. That's definitely not what you want!

Start with baby greens, such as baby spinach, and make sure you blend your greens first with the liquid until very smooth. Another option is to add green powders to your smoothies.

However, if you are really serious about green smoothies, my advice is to invest in a high-end blender. You'll be able to use it for much more than just smoothie making machine; plus, even though it's more expensive, it will last for many more years or heavy use. Think of it as an investment in your health and how much you'll save on doctor's bills.

Green Smoothie Success Tip #Three: Mask the Color with Blueberries

If someone in your home objects to the green color of the smoothie, you may add some blueberries or black berries to mask the color. The resulting color may not be the prettiest, but it will not be green. Or try serving it an opaque glass and serve it with a straw.

If you are looking for easy recipes of green smoothies for beginners, plus to try some of the smoothie recipes (such as this FANTASTIC peanut butter banana smoothie) visit my site, GreenReset-com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joanna_Verdan

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8121736

Best Blenders for Making Green Smoothies

View more lists from Carmen Wilson

Gaggia 1003380 Accademia Espresso Machine

Gaggia 1003380 Accademia Espresso Machine

Rise through the ranks with the Gaggia Accademia, a smartly appointed super automatic espresso machine, whose charming good looks and responsive performance are sure to earn it place at the top of its class.

Click Here to Learn More About the Gaggia 1003380!

With a contemporary stainless-steel front panel, durable metal frame, and a bright display, the Accademia embodies refined design aesthetics. Anchored by one-touch, programmable push-button controls for espresso, hot water and milk outputs, the Accademia dispenses perfect beverages on demand.

Just select your desired beverage from one of seven dedicated buttons capable of delivering the following drinks: espresso, caffe, caffe lungo, cappuccino, latte, Latte macchiato and hot water.

Best Super Automatic Espresso Machines

View more lists from Carmen Wilson

Best Rated Soda Maker Reviews

Best Rated Soda Maker Reviews  

Soda makers are really great because you can control the ingredients, and if you have kids, you know what I mean. My teenaged son can pour a whole lot of sugar into his kool-aid, and it makes me so nervous. Here are some great alternatives for making soda at home, the easy way.

Best Soda Makers Reviews and Ratings

View more lists from Carmen Wilson

Skinny Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

Skinny Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

 

Here is another great recipe for Skinny Texas Sheet Cake that I found on Pinterest: /http://therecipecritic.com/2015/01/skinny-texas-sheet-cake/

Skinny Texas Sheet Cake

Author: Alyssa
Prep time:  15 mins
Cook time:  15 mins
Total time:  30 mins
Serves: 40

A delicious and moist texas sheet cake that is made with healthier ingredients and absolutely incredible!

Ingredients

    Cake ingredients:
    1 cup water
    ½ cup butter
    ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    2 eggs
    ¾ cup Greek yogurt
    ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
    1 cup whole wheat flour
    1 cup all purpose white flour
    1-1/2 cups sugar
    1 teaspoon baking soda
    ½ teaspoon salt
    Chocolate Frosting:
    ½ cup butter
    ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    6 tablespoons milk
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add the butter, water, and cocoa to a medium microwave safe bowl. 

Cook for about 2-2½ minutes whisking 30 seconds at a time until melted and smooth. Set aside.

    In a medium sized bowl combine eggs, yogurt and applesauce and whisk until smooth. Set aside.

    In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together. Add the warm chocolate mixture and stir to combine. Lastly add the yogurt mixture and stir again until combined. The batter may have a few lumps, but that is ok.

    Pour into an ungreased jelly roll pan (13x18) or two 9x13 baking sheets and bake for 15-20 minutes until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

    To make the frosting: Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl. Add cocoa and whisk until smooth. Whisk in milk and vanilla and lastly whisk in the powdered sugar. Pour over the cake and frost to the edges. Let the cake cool completely and allow the frosting to set.

Skinny Texas Sheet Cake Recipe Ingredients

 Land O Lakes Quarter Salted Butter, 8 Ounce -- 12 per case. Hershey's Unsweetened Cocoa Can, 100% Cacao, 23-Ounce Fage Total Greek Yogurt, (500g) 17.6oz Musselman's Natural Unsweetened Applesauce 46 oz Bob's Red Mill, Organic, Whole Wheat Flour, 48 oz (1.35 kg) Hodgson Mill Organic Naturally White Flour, Unbleached All-Purpose, 2-Pounds (Pack of 6) Domino Premium Pure Cane Granulated Sugar 4lb Bag Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda 1 lb. Kirkland Signature Pure Sea Salt, 30 Ounce Nielsen-Massey Vanillas 8-oz. Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract

Great Advice To Get You Cooking In The Kitchen

Real Advice To Get You Cooking In The Kitchen

There are many sources of information on cooking. Some information is geared towards experienced chefs and not for the average person.

It can be confusing to wade through all of the available information. Fortunately, this article will give you some great tips. They will work for anyone, even a novice.

When you are making stock, make a lot of it. Then save it in a plastic zip bag, date it and freeze it. That way you can pull it when you would like to make a soup. You can use it to boil some veggies in. Having some in the freezer will make preparing healthy meals very much easier.

If you are cooking pasta and are tired of the same taste, you can add a hint of lemon. Lemon will give it the extra taste that you desire, and this additive is also a very powerful antioxidant. Adding spices and different flavors can help improve the quality of your meals.

There are few things more frustrating in grilling than going to flip a burger and finding that it has stuck to the grill. Try brushing the grill using vegetable oil prior to cooking so you can avoid sticking.



Learn More About the Cuisinart CBK200 Breadmaker! 

When making homemade salad dressings it is a good idea to use extra-virgin olive oil. It has a fruity flavor that really adds to a salad. Extra-virgin olive oil can be somewhat expensive so it is important to buy it when it is on sale or with a coupon to make it more affordable.

When working with poultry, use this useful tip to let your poultry shine. Soak the poultry in a brine solution composed of salt and water overnight before cooking the poultry. Soaking the poultry in brine will help to unlock the flavors buried in the meat and make the poultry succulent and moist, creating an incredible poultry dish.

Some recipes call for peeled half or quarter peaches. In most cases peeling is not easy, as the skin sticks to the fruit and doesn't come off. The easiest way to remedy the problem is to place the peaches in boiling water for 30 seconds. After removing the fruits, place them into ice water to stop the boiling effect. Their skin will come off easily.

If you are making a dish where you will need thin strips of meat (fajitas, Chinese) freeze your meet for about 20 minutes before cutting. This will allow you to slice the meat very thinly with ease. You may think this sounds a little strange, but it will definitely do the trick.

Don't use prepared seasoning mixes when you cook, especially if you have high blood pressure. These mixes often have a high sodium content. Instead, use fresh herbs and spices, or make sure you choose a low-salt mix. For more flavor, try adding lemon or lime zest or a few chili peppers to your meal.

In the real world, cooking involves practical real world ideas. You will have the best experience when you have simple information that you can easily translate into your kitchen. Complexity will slow you down. When you put into practice the tips that you have learned here, you will notice that your meals will become much tastier.

Best Rated Bread Machines for 2015

View more lists from Carmen Wilson

Best Rated Electric Food and Vegetable Steamers

Electric Food and Vegetable Steamers

Electric food and vegetable steamers are great for a healthy diet. I like to steam fresh vegetables like squash, spinach, carrots, and broccoli. There is no need to add oil or added fats and it's a wonderful way to stay on track with your diet.

Here are some of the best rated electric food and vegetable steamers for your kitchen!

Best Electric Vegetable Steamers

View more lists from Carmen Wilson

Best Rated Bread Makers for 2015

I love to bake homemade bread in my automatic breadmaker. It's nice to get a box of bread mix and make cinnamon raisin bread for the morning.

Here are some of my favorites for the best rated bread makers of 2015.

Best Rated Bread Machines for 2015

View more lists from Carmen Wilson