If you’ve been around this blog very long at all, you already know how GREEN SMOOTHIES have changed my life and helped me to lose 67 lbs after the birth of my third baby. In fact, I’ve been drinking daily green smoothies for so long, sometimes I forget that some people don’t know how to make a green smoothie. So let’s go over the basics:
Learning how to make a green smoothie is incredible easy. All you need is a blender, fruit and leafy greens!
FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE TIPS TO GET A GREAT TASTING GREEN SMOOTHIE EVERY TIME:
- Blend 1 cup of leafy greens in a blender. Spinach is a good mild green for beginners.
- Add 1 C of water and blend until all leafy chunks are gone.
- Add fruit. Frozen bananas, berries and mango are good fruits for beginning green smoothie drinkers.
- Blend well, until smooth and creamy.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
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PIN HOW TO MAKE A GREEN SMOOTHIE
WHAT IS A GREEN SMOOTHIE MADE OF?
The wonderful thing about green smoothies is that it is easy to adjust them to incorporate whatever produce is in season (or whatever you happen to have in your kitchen!). The basic ingredients are:
- Leafy Greens: Spinach is a staple, because of it’s mild flavor. Kale is also a favorite. Work your way up to the “spicier” greens such as dandilion, arugula and mustard greens (use with caution!).
- Base Ingredient: This is something that makes the smoothie a little creamier, and carries the flavors of the other ingredients. I recommend sticking with fruits like banana, mangos and dates, you may choose to sometimes experiment with coconut milk, plant based yogurts or even silken tofu.
- Fruit: Almost any fruit works well! Fresh or frozen…just make sure it’s ripe for optimal flavor and nutrition. Some of my family’s favs are apples, pears mango, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, kiwi, pineapple…you get the idea 😉
- Optional Super Foods: Things like chia seeds, flax seeds, vegan protein powders, spices and herbs, cacao nibs or cocoa powder…the ideas are endless!
GREEN SMOOTHIE BENEFITS
The benefits of green smoothies are almost too numerous to count! Some of the benefits I have PERSONALLY experienced from drinking daily green smoothies include:
- Almost effortless weight loss
- Dramatically increased energy
- Clearer skin
- Better and more frequent…ah-hmm, movements
- Lessened inflammation
- Quicker recovery times after working out
- Improved and more stable moods
- More patience with my kids (seriously!)
5 GREEN SMOOTHIE TIPS
1. Know the 60/40 rule for smoothies
Getting the proportions right is key when making green smoothies, especially as a beginner. If it still tastes too “green”, add more sweet fruits. As your tastes adjust over time (which they will!) slowly add in more leafy greens to up the nutrients.
2. Blend the greens first to avoid leafy chunks
No one wants a chunky smoothie! The best way I have found to guarantee a smooth smoothie is to first blend the leafy greens and your liquid base. Then add your fruit and remaining ingredients and blend again.
3. Use frozen fruit instead of ice in your green smoothie
Freezing fruits like ripe, peeled bananas, grapes, pineapple or berries is a great way to have a nice cool smoothie without watering it down with ice. The frozen fruit will also add a creamier texture. You can even freeze your leafy greens in a freezer safe bag. Add them straight to your blender without defrosting!
4. Use natural sweeteners
Adding naturally sweet fruits to any smoothie will help kick that bitter or “too green” taste. Bananas, mangos, pineapple, ripe pears and pitted dates are all wonderful additions and will help you to avoid more processed sweeteners.
5. Prep smoothies ahead of time for the perfect fast food
Life as a mommy can get crazy…especially in the mornings! That’s why I recommend blending your green smoothie the night before and storing it in the fridge (for up to 2 days!) for a grab and go breakfast on those hectic mornings. Use an airtight container and keep it cold as long as possible. Give it a good shake before opening it. We know life can get crazy busy— especially in the morning.
MAKE EXTRA FOR THE KIDS
Kids love fruit smoothies! And smart mommy’s love for their little ones to get their greens. If your littles are on the picky side, start them with something simple, like a banana and strawberry smoothie with just a small handful of a mild green, like spinach. Pro tip: If needed, throw in a few pitted dates for extra sweetness. Over time, you can slowly up the percentage of greens in their smoothies and they won’t even notice!
WHAT ARE THE BEST SUPERFOODS TO PUT IN A GREEN SMOOTHIE?
These are some of my favorites:
- Acai
- Matcha
- Cacao
- Hemp
- Chia
- Flax
- Goji Berries
- Almonds
- Coconut
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Sunflower Seeds
- Tumeric
- Vanilla
- Cinnamon
- Brazil Nuts
- Ginger
- Tumeric
Ready to start blending?
BEST GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPE FOR BEGINNERS
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 2 cups
- Serving: 1
DESCRIPTION
This Green Smoothie is a great beginner friendly green smoothie recipe, and also kid friendly! It’s full nutrients AND tastes like a tropical party!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup water
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup mango
- 1/2 cup pineapple
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add one cup of TIGHTLY packed spinach to blender. Add water. Blend it together until no chunks remain and it looks like green water.
- Add the fruit. I like to use frozen bananas for a creamy and cold smoothie.
- Blend well, until smooth and creamy. Anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on your blender
- Serve immediately, store the smoothie in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 2 days.
NOTES
BEST GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPE FOR BEGINNERS
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup water
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup mango
- 1/2 cup pineapple
Instructions
- Add one cup of TIGHTLY packed spinach to blender.
- Add water. Blend it together until no chunks remain and it looks like green water.
- Add the fruit. I like to use frozen bananas for a creamy and cold smoothie.
- Blend well, until smooth and creamy. Anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on your blender
- Serve immediately, store the smoothie in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 2 days.
Notes
I’d love to hear how your first smoothie turned out! Drop a message below and tell me what you thought!
