Did I grab your attention with my title post? Good! Because in addition to a great smoothie recipe that incorporates humble, yet mighty, peas, I have a GREAT giveaway for not one, but TWO Nutribullet 12-Piece Blenders (one orange, one green).
You can read all of the details, as well as reviews, for this mighty little blender right here.
Instructions for entering are at the bottom of the post.
Now about my smoothie. I finally did it: I added peas to my smoothie. I had to. Hence the naughty title. I know you’ve added all kinds of vegetables to your smoothies, including kale, carrots, spinach, cucumbers and pumpkin, so nix the squemishness. Frozen peas are inexpensive, convenient, naturally sweet, and loaded with the nutrition you need to power through your day and your workouts.
Specifically, green peas are:
- Very high in dietary fiber (4 grams per 2/3 cup)
- High in protein (about twice the amount of protein found in most vegetables–5 grams per 2/3 cup)
- High in folate (this is the B vitamin that helps make red blood cells and aids in the prevention of neural tube defects).
- Very high in vitamin C (great for a strong immune system and beautiful skin)
- Low calorie (65 to 70 calories per 2/3 cup) and fat free
- Decent amount of calcium (helps with muscle contractions), iron (helps carry oxygen all over our bodies) and vitamin A (promotes a healthy defense system: skin, stomach, intestines, and respiratory tracts)
Why haven’t I added peas to my smoothies sooner???
Well, I can think of one reason: if you, like me, are a zealot when adding vegetables to smoothies, you won’t be happy. Trust me when I say you want to ere on the side of caution, not abandon, when adding green peas. On my first trial, I added a full cup of peas. Heaven help me. I attempted many forms of salvage before accepting that it was a lost cause.
A scant 1/4 cup was the ideal amount for me, adding a sweet, spring freshness that is a delicious departure. You can experiment with your own fruit combinations to complement the peas, but I strongly advise adding citrus of some kind (juice or whole fruit). I used lime and orange (technically tangelos, which were on sale and out of this world), but lemon or grapefruit would be great, too.
Now pardon me, but I am feeling the need for another smoothie. I think I need to pea again 🙂
THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED–Winners were contacted by email and posted on my the powerhungry facebook page
***Here’s How To Enter for your Chance at Winning 1 of 2 NutriBullet 12-Piece Blenders!!!***
1. Leave a comment at the end of this post telling me: What is your favorite, wacky or perhaps unusual addition to smoothies? (my current one is, you guessed it, frozen peas!)
2. “Like” Power Hungry on Facebook (NOT this post–the PAGE 🙂). See the facebook “Like” box on the left-hand margin. (If you have already “liked” Power Hungry, thank you!)
3. Giveaway ends April 11, 2014 at midnight PST.
4. Only one entry per person please 
5. Only one winner per household.
6. US Residents only.
7. Winner Selection: The two winners will be chosen via Random.org. I’ll post the names here and notify the winners by email. Winners will have 48 hours to respond to my email.
- 1 medium-large navel orange, peeled
- 1 cup water
- 1 loosely packed cup spinach leaves
- ¼ cup frozen peas
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- ¾ cup frozen mango, pineapple or banana
- Optional: stevia or preferred liquid sweetener to taste
- Place everything except the optional sweetener in a blender. Blend on High speed until completely smooth. Add sweetener to taste, if desired.
I like to use organic oranges and add about a quarter of the peel. Is that odd? Other than that my smoothies are pretty basic.
Ooh, I need to try that Jenny! I add lots of pith, but I need to try the peel, too!
According to the book I just read from The Juice Lady (Cheri Calbom) she says not to use the peels because they have concentrated amounts of oils (kinda like essential oils but more densely concentrated) and it can be dangerous. I just used a potato peeler and peel my lemons, limes, blood oranges and tangelos. I would love to use grapefruit but I cannot have it with my heart medication (for PMV).
I am glad to know that I can use frozen peas, it’s one of the few veggies I haven’t come across in any of her books. She addresses fresh green beans, but never once mentions peas.
Also, I am using diatomaceous earth because I think I have parasites, but can someone – ANYONE – tell me how to know if/when I’ve expelled a parasite? How do I know they’re gone??
Thanks for any answers someone might provide. I’ve done research on this and no web site so far has even tried to answer that question.
Adding frozen shelled edamame to my strawberry, pineapple, peach and unsweetened 50%more calcium vanilla flavor almond milk makes a delicious smoothie IMHO! Bon Appetit, Y’all………
Brilliant! Hmm, I may need to borrow this idea, Mary Louise 🙂
No too wacky, but my favorite ingredient has to be fresh OJ. My smoothies just are complete without it.
Grapefruit is my current fav. Including some of the peel and pith.
I love adding wheat grass powder or spirulina pellets to my green smoothies 🙂
Any leftover sweet potatoes (obviously cooked) are marvelous in smoothies!!
My favorite thing to add to my smoothies is frozen bananas..it’s like a milkshake! The most wacky thing I think I add is carrots or spinach!
I have been adding kefir and a handful of spinach to my smoothies. Gets the extra nutrients in! love that you added peas. I will have to try it.
I’ve lately loved adding nut butters to my smoothies! Love the texture they add and they are more filling! Plus, nutty flavors are my favorite!
I of course like your FB page!
I have added tahini to some smoothies for the high protein content, good fats, minerals, and B vitamins. Dates or molasses are good complements to sweeten a smoothie with tahini. Thanks for the chance to win!
It’s really not that wacky, but I love adding tofu! Bulks it up and thickens it really nicely!
You guys are giving me so many great ideas!!! 🙂
Like your page on FB. 🙂 My fave is frozen strawberries. Not wacky or exciting I realize but I love how it turns a smoothie into a frozen treat. 🙂
Kale is the “secret” ingredient but goes very well with frozen mangos, apple juice and water
Leftover baby food aka veggie & fruit purees. They don’t really need much blending so they are perfect for on the go mommies. Latest favorite- rutabaga, apple, spinach. At least until my son decides it’s a favorite again.
Not wacky but I love the combo of orange juice and fresh raspberries
Not all that wacky, but I like adding chia seeds for thickening and a nutrition boost!
Not too wacky but I like to add kale or coco powder
Probably that I add fresh pulled shots of espresso to anything cold. Yeah, healthy I know 😉
Spinach-I’m not too creative when it comes to smoothies and need more practice it seems!
I make my own kefir from goats milk I get at the farmers market. It’s great in my fruit smoothies. I don’t use veggies much, but I will try the peas!
I like flax seed in mine!
My newest addition to our morning green smoothies has been chia seeds.
Not wacky, but my favorite smoothie additions are Chia seeds, Maca powder, and coconut shreds. A little cocoa/cacao powder never hurts either =).
My favs are kale, spinach and yummy pineapple!
Best ever: 6 slices fresh Ginger, 2 tbs. shredded coconut, 2 tbs raw almond butter, 1/4 cup coconut water & milk, 2 tsp of allspice & cinnamon, and 1 scoop if vanilla protein powder, crushed ice of course!
A couple tablespoons of oats or miscellaneous ice cubes made from miscellaneous leftover bits from past culinary adventures (squash puree, juice, etc.)
I love ginger! Not so wacky to the blogging world, but to my family it is!
Almond butter or peanut butter; hemp powder for extra protein.
I’m not very adventurous, but bananas are my staple, along with some local honey. I have a horrible sweet tooth!
Almost always flax seed that I’ve ground and a bit of Greek nonfat yogurt — along with whatever variety of fruits/veggies I have in the house. Right now the fridge /&/freezer has canteloupe, clementines, blueberries, mixed fruit plus spinach, kale, fennel and cooked squash. I’ll have to add peas to tomorrow’s shopping list!
Not wacky…but Kale or Spinach are faves. Also, almonds and/or almond extract.
Great idea with the peas! The wackiest smoothie ingredient I’ve used is rhubarb! Fresh and steamed or frozen its all good, and I add spice and cardamom which is also ADD O good for the blood and recovery. I use psyllium powder in all of my smoothies because I Love A thicker, pudding like texture. I also use some Walden Farms Calorie free marshmallow dip in that particular shake. .. and plain Greek yogurt with plenty of vanilla extract. Glad you asked! Lol… I’ll have to “pea” next time! 🙂
What a great idea. Nothing crazy in my smoothies, but I like to put cocoa nibs in them. Can’t live without my chocolate.
Haha you’re great! I love adding some spinach to my smoothies. That’s totally common now’days, but it’s still fun to get people looking at you like you’re crazy when you’re holding around a green drink. A good way to get people to think you’re healthy 😛
I like to freeze the liquid component (coffee, almond milk, coconut milk etc) in individual ice cubes so as not to dilute my smoothie when blending. Also, depending on the flavor profile of the shake I like to add ground flax seed, cinnamon, sorghum or cayenne!
I’ve never put anything “wacky” in a smoothie, but I’d like to try one with avocado. My husband had an avocado smoothie and loved it. I usually stick with simple ones that have frozen berries, almond milk, and spinach.
OH, sometimes I just throw in the blender what I have available in my fridge – I like to experiment ! but adding any type of veggie is def. a must (balance) for me. I really enjoy a couple of shakes of organic cinnamon and/or grated ginger, depending on what I am blending. AND a dollop of almond butter… I’m hooked on the stuff, and it’s such a healthy staple. Thanks for your unique recipes!!
So I went over to “like” you FB page and realized I already!
My favorite smoothie creation is vanilla protein powder with frozen blueberries, baby spinach and flax seed. I’ve also made a yummy keylime smoothie with yogurt and protein powder and lime juice and snuck some pudding mix in there 😉
Those peas look refreshing!
I don’t use any unusual ingredients but have tossed in leftover roasted butternut squash or sweet potatoes.
Not all that wacky, but I love adding frozen pumpkin puree to smoothies. Or no sugar added applesauce. I just can’t take the taste of bananas haha
I like almond butter and chia seed. It’s good protein
Every smoothie I make gets a scoop of “power blend,” my own mixture of flax seed, hemp seed, chia seeds and ground goji berries.
Not unusual at all but I love frozen bananas in my smoothies!
My wackiest smoothie ingredients are pumpkin with oats or cucumber with melon.
The wackiest addition to smoothies for me is ginger
I add a bit of ginger (juiced) for some spice!
I love to add avocado! Yummmmmmmmmmm
Well, this isn’t very wacky, but I love adding frozen blueberries to my smoothies.
Liked your page on facebook as Dandi Daffyhill.
Got it, Dandi 🙂
I like the edaname idea. I personally go for what feels and taste best. I like strawberryies and tangerine juice.
I like taking organic fruit ,putting it in the freezer, then adding yogurt and almond, chia, and coconut milk blend
Chia Seeds all the way 🙂
Broccoli! Mixed with apples, spinach, bananas, and blueberries, it’s seriously addictive, even if my friends think I’m crazy for it.
I love avocado in my smoothies. I like to peel and freeze them in cubes, then add later. It makes the smoothie super creamy!
I am a big fan of protein smoothies and am always looking for new recipes. Can’t wait to try your pea recipe! Some of my current smoothies include pumpkin with carrots and ginger, and chocolate with avocado.
Chia seeds, cultured coconut milk (from trader Joe’s)
I must admit I have not tried peas in a smoothie (yet!). Greens are the wackiest thing I have put in and even then, not so wacky afterall. 😉
Its probably not that wacky, but i love kale in my smoothies.. Also beets are great too!
my favorite thing in a smoothie is vodka! Unless it’s too early in the morning then I like strawberry and banana and pom pom pom pomegranate juice and a splash of agave nectar!
PEAS?! What a wacky idea & I LOVE IT! Definitely going to try!
Not super wacky but my go to favorites are an avocado or a frozen banana & I’ve just recently started adding chia seeds.
SO many great ideas here! Thank you everyone! My life would be so much more beautiful with a NUTRI BULLET!
Nice, Katy ~ I just started beets in my garden specifically for juicing! 🙂
I like to add cottage cheese for extra protein and wheat bran for extra insoluble fiber. Sometimes I add a little turmeric for health benefits, color and just for fun 🙂
I tried a smoothie using Nopal once (cactus). Wasn’t thrilled with it.
I like you on Facebook as Carolsue Anderson (MsCarolsueA)
Love avocado in my smoothies!
I’ve made a chocolate smoothie with cocoa powder, agave and black beans. Really good, high protein!
Peanut butter and unsweetened vanilla almond milk are my 2 favorite add ins.
this is a great idea! had no idea peas were so good for you. I don’t do anything too crazy with smoothies, but i always add in spinach or kale to get some greens
I would love to start making smoothies, I don’t have a NutriBullet but I would love one and I would make your Pea Smoothie it sounds delicious!
I add spirulina and hemp hearts. Spirulina takes some getting used to but it’s so good for you!
New and wacky to me are flax seeds. They give such a unique texture! Also, quick oats and cottage cheese are what I am consistently putting in my smoothies these days.
I love making my own juice concentrates, right now raspberry is my favorite. The concentrated flavor gives them an intense and refreshing boast. Also Matcha is standard favorite.
Thanks for the recipe. I combine hemp protein powder and peas in my smoothie with honey, cinnamon, and Ezekiel 4:9 cereal. You are right, too many peas give it a distinct flavor, and the hemp protein powder makes it weird, so I added all the other stuff to counter balance the flavors and make it a balanced meal. Once it’s all blended, I mix in toasted sunflower seeds. They make it all come together 🙂
I wouldn’t say it’s “wacky”, but I love adding carrot to smoothie. 🙂
🙂
The Pea Smoothie looks delicious. I just started making smoothies, and there were some very interesting recipes in the NYT a few weeks back (see link below). I’ve only tried one so far…the main ingredient is basil. It’s really good, and the basil flavor definitely stands out.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/01/health/pineapple-basil-smoothie.html?ref=dining
Thanks for inspiring us all.
BTW, have your book…LOVE IT. Making bars all the time. Just trying to eat healthier. Aren’t we all. Going to try making the Coconut Flour cupcakes this weekend. Can’t wait.
Cherie
I like your post. My favorite wacky ingredients are beet greens and raw beet. I get the great nutrients and detox benefits of the greens and extra carbs and natural sweetness of the beets. Turns the green smoothies a beautiful beet red!
My favorite thing to add is raw cacao, Haven’t really experimented with anything weird!
When I’m craving something sweet, I’ll add cocoa to my smoothie or even peanut butter and bananas with spinach.
I have added beets to my smoothies. I try to add anti-inflammatory foods to help detox my system, like celery and apples..
Ooh, sounds great, Shonta!