They say it ain't easy being green, but I beg to differ. Green smoothies may seem intimidating at first glance, but the truth is they're delicious, not to mention healthy and filling. The key is adding just the right amount of sweetness (usually with a sweeter fruit like banana, mango, or pineapple) to keep the drink from tasting too bitter.
There are any number of green smoothie variations out there, but a few things remain constant. First, choose a base of either water, juice, almond or soy milk, or coconut water. Then add in handfuls of your green of choice (kale or spinach is best; I find swiss chard too bitter) and some fruit. Higher sugar-content fruits like pineapple, mango, or apples will make the drink sweeter. If you don't mind a "greener" taste, stick to lower-sugar fruits like blueberries. From there add in any extras you might be craving (parsley, chia or flax seeds, ginger, mint, yogurt, etc) and blend, blend, blend!
If you're not up for experimenting on your own, try one of these recipes to get you started:
Try a Recipe
• Green Machine Smoothie - Martha Stewart
• Pear and Arugula Smoothie with Ginger and Walnuts - The New York Times
• Cold Buster Smoothie - Running to the Kitchen
• Limeade Green Smoothie - Bake Your Day
• Green Smoothie - Two Peas and Their Pod
Do you have a favorite green smoothie recipe? If so, tell us in the comments below!
Related: Nutrients in Disguise: Kale, Spinach, and Pear Smoothie
(Image: Bryan Gardner for Whole Living)
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I make green smoothies with frozen bananas, blueberries, strawberries, spinach and yogurt. Sometimes I add cold green tea instead of water. To make the whole thing sweeter and easier to drink, I find a few dates make a big difference.
These are great for getting everyone to have more greens, especially the kids. We don't follow recipes but my 6 and 4 year old love a version with pineapple, mango, spinach, and a little OJ to thin it out and I love frozen banana, PB, yogurt, almond milk, and a squirt of honey as a meal replacement on the go if I'm out running errands.
Frozen bananas are my "secret" ingredient for frozen smoothies because they naturally sweeten and chill the smoothie without having to dilute it with ice.
http://the-cooking-of-joy.blogspot.com/2012/11/green-smoothies.html
strawberries
pineapples
honeydew melons
canalope
frozen bannas
kale
celery
cucumber
o.j. or coconunt water
I love green smoothies. My go to recipe is spinach, banana, plain greek yogurt, vanilla soy milk and peanut butter.
Yum! I haven't made a green smoothie for quite some time, maybe not since summer. I think I need to rectify that. My usual base is usually coconut water or unsweetened almond milk, frozen pineapple or mango chunks and whatever greens I have on hand. Cucumber sounds like a wonderful addition, mppaul271!
I am anxiously (read: VERY anxiously) awaiting the arrival of a Vitamix from QVC. Fell head over heels for my mom's over holiday break!
This pear, almond + kale smoothie is my absolute favorite green drink. It causes cravings...
I recently tried a kale, strawberry and banana smoothie made with almond milk. It was so good! then I put a scoop of protein powder in and it ruined it. Yech.
I love a green smoothie and they’re a great thing to incorporate into your routine in the New Year. Don’t be afraid of spinach! I swear by Drew Manning’s green smoothie, and I think everyone should try it at least once!
http://www.eatsbydesign.com/drew-mannings-spinach-smoothie/
I eat a pumpkin pie green smoothie. Spinach, almond milk, almond butter, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, half a banana, and a scoop of protein powder. Incredibly tasty and satisfying. The added fiber from the pumpkin, fat from the almond butter, and protein from the powder keep me full until lunch. I have also successfully added a package of emergen-c to my fruitier green smoothies. It gives the smoothie a flavor and vitamin punch, and I like the fizziness.