During our two-week Veg Pledge, sponsored by the Foodbuzz Tastemakers Program and Green Giant, we challenged food bloggers to up their vegetable intake by one extra cup every day. The result: The bloggers came up with tons of creative recipes and veggie-based snacks as they strived to meet their daily goal. One trend we spotted: veggies in liquid form! When the weather is warm, what better way to get a boost of nutrition than with a cool glass of fresh vegetable juice or a satisfying smoothie?
Check out this refreshing carrot-apple-ginger-lemon-celery juice from Cooking’s Good. And when you want to really jump start your day, whip up this rich Carrot Cake Smoothie from Sprint 2 the Table.
We love vegetable drinks! We turned to our kitchen to help us come up with some other great seasonal vegetable smoothie recipes that we think you’re going to love.
BEGINNER GREEN SPINACH SMOOTHIE
Prep Time: 8 Minutes
Start to Finish: 8 Minutes
1 package (9 oz) Green Giant® frozen chopped spinach
1 medium banana
1 1/4 cups frozen strawberries
3/4 cup orange juice
1. Microwave spinach according to package directions (for food safety reasons, frozen vegetables must be cooked). Rinse with cold water until cooled. Drain, squeezing out as much liquid as possible.
2. In blender, place 1/4 cup spinach, and remaining ingredients. Reserve remaining spinach for another use. Cover and blend on high speed about 30 seconds or until smooth. Makes 2 servings.
SWEET SENSATION SPINACH SMOOTHIE
Prep Time: 8 Minutes
Start to Finish: 8 Minutes
1 package (9 oz) Green Giant® frozen chopped spinach
1 medium banana
1 cup frozen peaches
1/2 cup orange sherbet
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1. Microwave spinach according to package directions (for food safety reasons, the frozen vegetables must be cooked). Rinse with cold water until cooled. Drain, squeezing out as much liquid as possible.
2. In blender, place 1/4 cup spinach, and remaining ingredients. Reserve remaining spinach for another use. Cover and blend on high speed about 30 seconds or until smooth. Makes 2 servings.
SUPER ATHLETE SPINACH SMOOTHIE
Prep Time: 8 Minutes
Start to Finish: 5 Minutes
1 package (9 oz) Green Giant® frozen chopped spinach
1 container (6 oz) Yoplait® Greek Fat Free blueberry yogurt
1/2 avocado half, pitted and peeled
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1. Microwave spinach according to package directions (for food safety reasons, frozen vegetables must be cooked). Rinse with cold water until cooled. Drain, squeezing out as much liquid as possible.
2. In blender, place 1/4 cup spinach, and remaining ingredients. Reserve remaining spinach for another use. Cover and blend on high speed about 30 seconds or until smooth. Makes 2 servings.
PEA PERFECTION
Prep Time: 8 Minutes
Start to Finish: 8 Minutes
1 package (12 oz) Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers® frozen sweet peas
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1 medium banana
1. Microwave peas according to package directions (for food safety reasons, frozen vegetables must be cooked). Rinse with cold water until cooled. Drain.
2. In blender, place 1/3 cup peas, and remaining ingredients. Reserve remaining peas for another use. Cover and blend on high speed about 30 seconds or until smooth. Makes 2 servings.
SUPER STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE
Prep Time: 8 Minutes
Start to Finish: 8 Minutes
1 package (9 oz) Green Giant® frozen chopped spinach
1 container (6 oz each) Yoplait® Original 99% Fat Free French vanilla yogurt
1 avocado half, pitted and peeled
3/4 cup orange juice
1 cup frozen strawberries
1. Microwave spinach according to package directions (for food safety reasons, frozen vegetables must be cooked). Rinse with cold water until cooled. Drain, squeezing out as much liquid as possible.
2. In blender, place 1/4 cup spinach, and remaining ingredients. Reserve remaining spinach for another use. Cover and blend on high speed about 30 seconds or until smooth. Makes 2 servings.
What veggies are you drinking?