Green Cubes for Smoothies

Fill up your blender with fresh spinach/kale leaves and add a bit of water to blend. Pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze.  Take them out of the ice cube tray when frozen (I then store mine in a ziploc freezer bag in the freezer). Use 5-6 cubes at smoothie time. *This prevents you from wasting your giant costco bag of spinach

http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Easy-Release-Cube-Tray/dp/B000VPBKYO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1381121255&sr=8-2&keywords=ice+cube+tray

Quinoa Black Bean Soup

*Note: this makes a large batch - be sure to reduce or cut in half if desired.

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups dry quinoa, rinsed well

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1 onion

4 cloves garlic

6 oz. fresh baby spinach

3 carrots

15 oz. can diced tomatoes

4 cups vegetable broth

2 tsp. cumin

2 tsp. oregano

2 tsp. chili powder

Cilantro for topping

Directions

Cook quinoa in a small saucepan according to package directions.

Meanwhile, dice onion and carrot. Mince garlic and roughly chop spinach.

In a stockpot over med-high heat, saute onion, carrot, and garlic with cumin, chili powder, oregano and salt for about 7 minutes.

Add vegetable broth, 4 cups water, and tomatoes with juice. Cover and bring to a light simmer.

Reduce heat to med-low, add cooked quinoa, spinach, and black beans. Let heat through for about 5-10 minutes. Season well with salt.

Serve topped with chopped cilantro.

Green Colada Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup almond or coconut milk
• 1/2 banana
• Small handful of frozen pineapple chunks
• 2 large handfuls of spinach or kale 
• 1 spoonful of coconut butter 

Blend up!