This is a yummy, refreshing (albeit very green) smoothie I make in my VitaMix™. I’m working on a novel right now (the 2nd in a series of 6), so I really don’t have time to cook. Smoothies are nourishing and fast and the Vitamix™ cleans up easily with 5 cups of water and a few drops of dish soap blended on high. I’ll never go back to juicers again—I hate cleaning them!

If you have a powerful blender that will pulverize seeds and greens, give this smoothie a try.

I’ve posted it two different ways: sweetened with dates, or flavored up with protein powder (not strictly Paleo).

WHAT’S IN IT?

• 1   orange, peeled
• 1  lemon, peeled
• 1  handful of kale
• 1  handful of parsley (parsley is SUPER good for you and adds a fresh taste)
• 2  tablespoons of chia seeds
• 1 to 2 cups of water, depending on how thick you like your smoothie

Here’s a Choice for You…

• 4 seeded dates 
• OR 
• 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (I use Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Isolate, which I researched for purity and content on Consumer Lab ( http://www.consumerlab.org ) . I get the protein powder on Amazon.)

Optional Add In…

• Ice

HOW TO DO IT?

1. Plop orange and lemon into the high-speed blender.
2. Add 1 cup of the water for now.
3. Pile in the kale and parsley.
4. Pop the top onto the blender (hey, don’t laugh, I’ve forgotten that step before and had to clean for hours).
5. Blend on high speed until you can’t see anymore chunks and you can’t hear anymore chunks hit the blades. 
6. Add the chia seeds by sprinkling them across the top of the liquid. If you add them in one big lump or wait to long to blend them, they will clump up and make chia globs. 
7. Blend again (remember that top)
8. Add the dates and/or protein powder
9. Blend again (if you don’t remember the top by now, happy cleaning, my conscious is clear)
10. Add more water if its too thick for you
11. Add ice if you prefer a colder smoothie
12. Enjoy!