Freezing greens before using

[Shawna]

Hi Shawna,
We have been making green smoothies with our normal blender, and the kids are on me every morning to make them (even little Kenyon has them)! Here's my question--because I haven't sucked it up yet and bought a nice blender, I read that it is easier to add kale, etc. by chopping it and freezing it. Then each morning I grab a few handfuls and crumble it in my hand, which helps break it up really small before blending it. Am I losing all the good nutritional benefits of the greens by doing this??
I am thinking a nice Christmas present would be one of those reconditioned Vitamixes...
Hope all is well with you guys!
Annie

[Shawna]

Hey you! So nice to hear from you. I'm excited to hear about your green smoothie adventures, especially with the little ones.
Chopping and freezing your greens is fine to do and is a good idea when you don't have a high-speed blender. I used a Sunbeam garage sale blender for one year before I bought a Vitamix. That little blender did great until it just started smoking one day. I'll tell you though, once you have a Vitamix grade smoothie, you'll be blown away at the difference in texture. Anyway, back to your question, yes, there is some loss of nutrition from the moment the greens are picked from the earth, then they begin to oxidize and lose some more as we store them, then when we cut them a little more is lost, then freezing depletes a little more, and blending them adds a little more to the proces... The good news is there is SO much nutrition that we are still getting from raw dark leafy greens even after all that abuse! So, I wouldn't worry about it. Just do what is easy for you right now.
When you are ready to get a Vitamix use our coupon code 06-005520 when you checkout and you'll get $25 off the shipping even on a reconditioned one. We bought a reconditioned one and we love it.
Take care,
Shawna

[John]

How awesome that you and the kids are having green smoothies!!

I just love it when I hear/see that kids are enjoying their greens.
What are your kids' favorite recipes?

Good to have you with us Annie!

[hazelnut]

What about blending some raw greens with water, freezing it in an ice cube tray, and adding that to smoothies? Has anyone tried this? I often get the large tub or bag of organic spinach at costco, and while I can finish it pretty easily  I'm then out of it for smoothies before I can get some more.  

[John]

I haven't tried that. If you want a colder more "icy" smoothie you can use frozen fruit.

Personally I only use greens fresh but it seems like you want to store your greens longer. I suggest preparing and washing (and drying the best you can) the greens and freezing them in portions that you use in your smoothie. When you blend the greens you introduce the nutrients to more oxygen and the longer they are exposed to that oxygen the more they will oxidize which breaks down nutrition.

[hazelnut]

I see, thanks for that info. I'll try that instead if I go the frozen route.