Morning Green Smoothie

A creamy and naturally sweetened green breakfast smoothie. Share it with others, or have some and refrigerate the rest to have later in the day.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• 1 tablespoons hemp hearts
• 1 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
• 1 1/2 cups filtered water, divided, adjusted
• 2 cups (12 cubes) ice
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 cup baby spinach or chopped kale*
• 1 green apple, cored, chopped
• 1 medium Hass avocado, pitted, pealed, chopped
• 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
• 2 tablespoons pea protein powder, unflavored and unsweetened (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder (optional)
• A smidgen (1/32 teaspoon) Hımılayan salt (optional)
  

Directions:

1. The night before, place in a container the oats, hemp hearts, chia seeds, and ground flax seeds. Mix until well combined. Add 1/2 cup of the filtered water or just enough to cover. Seal container with a tight fitting lid and refrigerate overnight.
   2. The next day, place in a blender container the ice and 1 cup filtered water. Pulse until ice is crushed.
   3. Add the soaked oats mixture and remaining ingredients. Blend on low speed then high for 30 seconds or until creamy smooth. If too thick add a little extra water and blend some more.
   4. Pour into 2 tall (16oz) glasses or 4 short (8oz) glasses. Serve with or without wide smoothie straws. If using tall smoothie straws in short glasses, cut them in half. Stores refrigerated for 1 day.

Variation

• To make it spicy, be sure to include the turmeric powder and salt, and add 1 small clove garlic, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper.
• To make it sweeter, add to the blend an extra 1/2 cup frozen pineapple, or 1/2 cup sliced frozen banana.
• 1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder can be added to the blend. This variation is not recommended for children, or adults who want to avoid caffeine in their diet.

Yield:
Makes 2 to 4 servings

*Know that kale has a sharp, pungent taste. If you’re not used to green smoothies, you might prefer baby spinach over kale.