I was lucky enough to start my Green Power workshops at The Hayes Primary School. Introducing little ones to new tastes & ways of eating food is such fun, & the children loved taste testing our creations. We made raw fruit ice cream & Green Smoothies!

I thought as the children got older throughout the school they may prove a little harder to woo with my fruity smoothies & green wonders. But no. Actually it seemed that each class I worked with (going up the school in chronological order) was more intrigued & willing to try new things.

The infants all loved to eat the goji berries, "they taste like toffee," "they're like raisens," "they are yummy".

The juniors all finshed off any spinach in the bag, passing it round like a bag of crisps!

There was one girl who absolutely hated spinach. We agreed that if she didn't like it she could spit it out - but she would at least try it.

That special little girl drank it all & came back for seconds!

Other children said they didn't like certain fruits that we used - but when they tasted it - they were amazed at how yummy it was.

Lesson learned: Flavours change when they are mixed with other flavours.

I asked a class of 8 years olds how they found the green smoothie when they had all had a taste,

"Miss... I didn't like it,"

"That's OK - can you say what you didn't like about it?"

"I didn't like it - I LOVED IT!" 

Spinach
Great to use as it is really high in nutrients like protein, calcium, iron, vitamin K, A, B2, B6, E, potassium, folate - & doesn't have a strong taste eaten raw. Basic green smoothie

Kale - 'The king of the greens' 

Super rich in vitamin K, A & C, manganese - & a great source of copper, tryptophan, calcium, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), potassium, iron, magnesium, vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), protein, vitamin B1 (thiamin), folate, phosphorus, vitamin B3 (niacin)

Romaine
This lettuce is great to use as it is so nutrient rich - you have to play around with flavours & see what you like best. I found this to have a stronger taste than spinach - so add stronger tasting fruits if I want it to taste sweet.

Romaine is rich in many minerals such as vitamin K, A, C, folate, manganese, chromium, potassium, molybdenum, B1, iron, B2, phosphorus, calcium, omega 3 fatty acids, tryptophan, B3, B6 

Rocket/ argula
This peppery little leaf is really lovely in salads & can also be great in smoothies. Be aware of its peppery nature & add other ingredients to create something you love.

Parsley
There are many uses for this kitsch herb! Great vitamin C source, removes garlic breath, but in smoothies is also tastes great.
Excellent source of vitamin A, C, folate, B1, B2 & potassium, miolybdenum, iron & phosphorus.

For a nutritional breakdown on greens & more information on them >> Greens


  How to Make a Green Smoothie

  Serve with a straw & you'll be surprised that kids want to taste yours & then    
  make their own!
  1. Grab a blender/ hand blender
   2. Peel & chop 1 kiwi & 1 banana
   3. Add a splash of water
   4. Blend
   5. Add a handful of fresh spinach
        (add more as desired)
   6. Blend until smooth & heavenly           

                 
*
Adding a piece of lemon peel is yummy, gives a refreshing after taste. Make sure to blend well

* 
Strawberries, raspberries, pineapple, melon, mangoes are great alternatives to kiwi

* 
For added omega-3 oils, fiber & manganese add cold-milled flax seed 
  
* Adding hemp seeds provides complete proteins 

* Substitute spinach with your favourite greens