A smoothie you can feel good about

You want something cool and refreshing. But you’re feeling a little guilty these days, trying to watch the waistline. That cuts out ice cream and the frozen yogurt places. What to do?

Turns out you can have your cake and eat it too at Greenstraw Smoothies in Newtown. Well, maybe that’s not the right phrase to use. Let’s put it this way. You can have something cool, refreshing and full of the vitamins and minerals your body needs and wants. And it tastes real good too.

Kelly Anne Troy knew there was something missing in Newtown. “I wanted someplace to go to get something healthy,” she says, “and I wanted it in my own community.” Kelly lives in Wrightstown with her husband and business partner, Jeff, and their four children – the youngest of which does not like leafy greens.

“My little one doesn’t like too many veggies but he will drink a green smoothie,” Kelly says. A green smoothie? Yep. And you will too. Try “The Mango Tree” – coconut milk, mango juice, banana, mango, pineapple and, that’s right, greens. Or “Leo’s Favorite” (named after the little one who does not like greens) made of almond milk, apple juice, banana, peanut butter, strawberries, raspberries and greens. With combinations like these, getting nutrient-rich greens is, well, a piece of cake.

For the past five years, Kelly has been a certified health coach, helping others choose the right foods and a healthy lifestyle. All of the smoothie recipes sold at Greenstraw Smoothies were developed by Kelly in her kitchen. She and Jeff, who handles the marketing and back end of the business, opened the shop on Sycamore Street in Newtown this past February.

“This is one way to make sure you are getting your fruits and vegetables – especially leafy greens,” she explains. “It is such an easy way to get them into your diet.” Greenstraw Smoothies uses a variety of greens, most often baby spinach or kale. But as the seasons change, other varieties become available, like dandelion greens (one of the most vitamin-packed greens you can eat).

The Troys use only quality ingredients. Organic, low spray and sustainably grown fruits and vegetables when possible and locally sourced whenever possible too. Kelly uses Zone 7, the food distributor in Ringoes, NJ, which brings produce from local, organic farms to local restaurants. The Troys are also members of the Anchor Run Farm CSA in Wrightstown, where they pick up vegetables grown using organic practices and, in turn, bring their compost from the store to the farm.

In addition to the green smoothies, you can also get fruit-only smoothies. “Georgia on my mind” is a mixture of almond milk, peach juice, banana, peaches, and raspberries. “Black and Blue” brings together almond milk, apple juice, banana, blueberries and blackberries. Most of the smoothies are vegan and gluten-free.

Freshly squeezed juice “cocktails” are also on the menu and include combinations like Kale, Apple and Celery, or Apple, Carrot and Ginger. You can also create your own, picking three fruits or vegetables to juice.

To add even more punch, you can mix-in other proteins and food nutrients like maca, hemp, brown rice protein, flax seed or chia into your smoothie or juice, or get a powerful wheat grass shot (I know it’s very good for you but it is probably best followed by a sweet smoothie.)

A lot of customers enjoy the “meal replacer” smoothies, drinks so packed full of fruits, vegetables and proteins that you can call it breakfast, or lunch. Before a work-out at the gym, people like to stop by for the “Before the Burn” smoothie – coconut milk, apple juice, banana, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, rice protein and flax seed.

Greenstraw Smoothies offers a wide array of healthy snacks too. If your little one won’t go for a smoothie, try the Organic PB&J, made on sprouted grain bread, or an organic apple with peanut butter. Local producer Helen’s Hummus is stocked too along with veggies for dipping, as well as non-dairy yogurt parfaits, and healthy drinks from Mamma Chia, Steaz, Synergy, Naked and fair-trade, organic coffee and teas.

They are even using plastic cups that are “1” which means you can recycle them at most local curbsides. I like that.

It’s been a lot of hard work and long hours, but Kelly doesn’t mind. “I enjoy just being here and providing this option.” She’s been getting lots of positive feedback and regular customers. She loves offering healthy snack alternatives right in Newtown. “You can’t make a bad food choice here,” she says, and, I would add, you’ll get a really good tasting one too.

Greenstraw Smoothies
243 North Sycamore Street (across from the Green Parrot)
Newtown, PA 18940
267.685.0539
www.GreenstrawSmoothies.com
For hours, click here.