I'm a huge fan of green smoothies. Two of my favorite combos are Blueberry-Banana-Spinach-Almond Milk and Pineapple-Mango-Ginger-Parsley-Kale. The later is from last year's Whole-Living Detox.

There are TONS of variations. The basic principle something Fruit/bitter green/liquid and whirl. Sometimes I put in some oat flour or ground flax seed or a scoop of raw plant protein. It helps me use all my CSA veggies, too. I've made fridge cleaning smoothies with romaine lettuce, too ripe peaches and an almost tossable cucumber,

Nice--I like that you kept it simple. Baby bok choy and romaine are also nice, mild greens that work well in green smoothies. I enjoy replacing the banana with avocado from time to time..

Could you explain the benefit of flax oil v. crushed flax seed? Is it just a liquid/textural thing or does flax oil absorb better?

Sorry, I mis-flagged. this is fine. I just wanted to see if I could get the answer flagged so I would see it easily!

I just started adding coconut water to my smoothies. It's very hydrating.

I've also started using flavored soft tofus.

Wondering if anyone has a suggestion for what to add instead of banana (or tofu) - both are foods that neither my son or I like the taste of...

Thanks!

@roseisred, how about nut butters or avocado?

Any suggestions on how to make a smoothie if you don't have a blender? Can this be done in a food processor, or would that just be disastrous? Otherwise, all I've got is an immersion blender.

I use chia seeds in my smoothie each morning since I'm not a fan of the taste of flax seed and chia seeds have more omega 3's than flax. I like your idea of adding some greens so I'll try that as well.

@dec408, I've made smoothies in a food processor before - it blends just find, but you may have the scrap the bottom once or twice. And it's obviously harder to pour than from a blender jar but it gets the job done.

*fine

Thanks! I'd love to find something with a strong enough taste to interact well with the greens. Bananas serve that function by making anything they're blended with taste like banana (which is the problem for us!) Maybe there's some other fruit we could try, and then using nut butter for texture.

You could easily use an immersion blender-just chop the ingredients into smaller pieces before you give it a whir. THere are very inexpensive blenders on the market-it may be worth the investment if it makes sense for you.

Have you tried pineapple? It cuts the bitter of the greens perfectly!!

So I just noticed the base of your blender and it looks so much like the one my mom gave me that she got as a wedding gift in the 70's. I never use it because stuff just gets stuck.... How do you make yours work?

@roseisred I make a smoothie every morning that is:

1 cup organic french vanilla yogurt
2 bananas (but you don't have to have it, I skip when I'm out and add more fruit)
2 huge handful spinach (like a big salads worth)
2 cups mixed frozen fruit (either blueberry/strawberry/pom or pine/mango/strawberry)
2 tbsp flax seed
2 shakes cinnamon

this makes exactly two 8oz smoothies and you can't taste the spinach at all. maybe the yogurt helps? so yummy!

@EllieA: flax oil is good for you because of all the Omega-3s. Crushed flax seeds are also rich in Omega-3s, but they also pack a wollop of fiber. I prefer the oil because it doesn't distress my delicate constitution, if you know what I mean.

@dec408, immersion blenders work great for smoothies. I find it works better than my blender, maybe because I can move it around in the cup. Plus it's easier clean up!

Thanks Miss Julia, the answer I was seeking. I need the fiber! ;)

@roseisred try frozen mango! Works great for thickening and no banana taste ;-)

I made smoothies every morning with:
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk
1 handful of greens
1-1/2 cup of frozen fruit
1 tablespoon of chia seeds

I have a vitamix, so sometimes I'll throw in a carrot, or a banana if I need a particularly filling breakfast. Love the coconut water idea!

nature well in silver lake adds coconut meat, its amazing!!

Roseisred, we use frozen fresh pineapple chunks..it's pretty sweet - so go easy. When seedless red/green grapes go on sale - they are another good choice, sweetening as well. I try to go Organic with as much produce as possible, for obvious reasons. Try adding half a cup of organic Carrot juice and don't forget the crushed ice and see if those ingredients don't help with flavoring the strong greens. Sometimes a 2-3" slice of washed and semi peeled cucumber gives these frappes that wonderful summer taste. What kind of greens do you use?

@Roseisred, I make smoothies with all manner of frozen fruits every day, and with or without banana, I can never taste the spinach! I've heard it's harder to mask the taste of kale, but I really can't taste the spinach in my smoothies no matter what other ingredients I use.

@dec408 I use my immersion blender for my smoothie. Way easier for the clean up.

I love a banana taste, but I also like using frozen grapes for the icy component.

My recipe goes something like:

1 banana
5 or 6 frozen grapes
1/2 apple
1 cup plain yogurt
1 handful spinach

I like the ideas of a nut butter and flax seed. It would up the protein and fiber content quite a bit. I'm thinking about subbing it in for one of the fruits to cut the sugar a bit.

Still have yet to try a green smoothie....looks fantastic adn sounds delicious.

Does anyone have ideas for adding protein to a fruit-flavored smoothie? Without using peanut butter or protein powder (I can't stand the taste of protein powder!)? Would the nut butter idea make a fruit smoothie taste weird?

I wish I thought of this as I was leaving rushed and without a breakfast this morning. :(

Immersion blender? Go for it, as long as you have the big cup to go with it. I do this all the time.

No tofu/banana? Frozen mango. Or use orange juice.

My morning smoothies usually consist of ice cold water, protein powder (it's a no-sugar variety), frozen berries, a big handful of baby kale. Sometimes I use frozen banana or spinach. I've learned never ever to use cucumber or celery, though -- unless you want your smoothie to taste like them and them only, that is.

Sara Kate, thanks for this ~~ it looks so yummy and super-powered! And I love all the great ideas in the comments as well.
Since I need something warm in the morning this time of year, I've been wondering about the possibilities of warm/hot smoothies; have any of you experimented with this? It might be more like "smoothie meets congee" perhaps, or "smoothie meets blåbärsoppa" or ...

I make them with one cup water, 1 scoop whey powder, double handfull of spinach or kale, and any fruit (fresh or frozen) I have around.

I get that there are people that like coconut water, and for those who do, more power to you, but how is coconut water more hydrating than water? Isn't water pretty much the definition of HYDRATING? (smiling)

I use 2 cups coconut milk, 1 tbl chia seeds, 1 tables "Garden of Eden" Vegan protein powder, handful spinach and frozen berries and freah ones as well.
The protein powder, I add first to the coconut milk or any liquid you use and let it sit a few minutes to allow it to coagulate into the liquid to deflect the powdery taste.

I just don't get the appeal. I know people swear that they consume more leafy greens this way, but bananas are just great to consume as, I don't know, bananas. And I'll take my kale without the sweetness of fruit, thank you. And chew my own food.

What about greek yogurt and/or soy milk?

@roseisred + one on the avocado as a sub for banana- lends the same creaminess (and obviously packed with nutrition too). Try 1/2 one instead of 1 banana.

@ATS1980 For protein what about silken tofu? Blends super smooth and is v.high in protein, or else soy yoghurt (or plain dairy if you eat dairy) adds a protein punch.

Our smoothie recipe:

2 kale stalks
1 small cucumber
1 stalk of celery
1/3 of a bunch of parsley
12 oz coconut water (we use vita coco)
half a banana
2 dates, pitted
1 tblspn of coconut oil
1 tspn of fresh ginger

We whirl it around in our Blendtec. So yummy!! We are thinking about adding spirulina powder in the near future.

we've been doing a 30 day green smoothie challenge with http://simplegreensmoothies.com/. they have fantastic recipes and send out a weekly email with more. loads of options for banana free and different protein sources. definitely worth checking out!

LOVE using my immersion blender -- in the cup that came with it (i.e. good fit/size)! I wouldn't spend hundreds of $ for a Vitamix, when my $25. Cuisinart stick works fabulously. I don't cut anything smaller than you would for a blender, and the leaves not at all. My favorite greens taste-wise are Trader Joe's Power to the Greens, though yea, I know -- it comes in plastic... (My 3-year-old loves the smoothies too!)

I love the extra ideas here; it's always good to have ways to change things a bit.

ATS1980, here are a few ideas for you:

First is the most obvious: plain greek yogurt. A protein powerhouse!

Second, if you're not sensitive to soy, you can try adding half a block of silken tofu (sold unrefrigerated in little boxes at places like Whole Foods) for protein.

Finally, adding some soaked grains will add protein and fiber to your smoothie, without increasing the sugar level. And they don't clash with the fruit flavors at all, (imagine it's like putting fruit on your oatmeal). Try this: the night before, take our your blender vessel. Pour in maybe 1 c. of almond milk, followed by about 1/4 to 1/2 c. of old fashioned rolled oats, oat bran cereal, rye flakes, etc. Then leave this to sit in the fridge overnight (do not add your frozen fruit yet). The next morning, pull out the blender cup from the fridge, add your frozen fruit, and perhaps an additional splash of milk if things seem to have gotten really thick overnight. Then blend away and enjoy!

I keep trying to like green smoothies. I keep failing. Going to try frozen pineapple and...try again.

TellaGraham, coconut water and body fluid are isotonic, which means that they have rather similar salt compositions. Intravenous solution has to be isotonic otherwise it will harm the body.

When you drink water (hypotonic) the body cells will absorb the water and swell. Isotonic water won't be absorbed and therefore can circulate in the body - maybe this gives the 'hydrated' feeling.

Whenever I have fever, isotonic solutions (like some sport drinks) helps me better than water.

TellaGraham - coconut water has a lot of potassium. It's great as an alternative to sports drinks either after sports or when you are sick.

Flax doesn't have the proper or absorbable type of omega 3s. Try algae.

@cmcinnyc, maybe start with a lower percentage of greens and more fruit and slowly reverse the proportions. Also green smoothies with berries sometimes make an unattractive color. Taste great, but not as pretty.

I make smoothies almost every morning, and have found that a little orange juice concentrate makes a world of difference. It makes it naturally sweeter with a little something to it- not really orangey though. I also have a daily boost herbal mix from bulkherbstore.com that I use, and sometimes their beet root powder or kelp powder. Other than that it's pretty similar to what's been mentioned.

*science facepalm*
Kojiberry, unless you have poor kidney function, your body fluids are always isotonic, no matter what you drink. Your kidneys (which run 1/3 of all the blood leaving your heart through them) will balance out all the hypotonic and hypertonic stuff you consume in a FLASH, your body will never see a significant change.

"while moving a mile a minute isn't my preferred way to live, it's been a reality"

Nope, you're still in the Matrix....

I know it's been said before, maybe even on a post on this site, but most mason jars fit on blenders - so easy to throw everything in one glass and not worry about an extra pitcher to wash. Which, truthfully, kept me from making smoothies for quite some time.

Try adding a tablespoon of aloe juice (I highly recommend aloe life!). Quality aloe juice can help you absorb so much more nutrients and has a TON of other health benefits. I love green smoothies and really enjoy adding some cinnamon which helps balance your blood sugar which is especially useful if you are using bananas.
I also find the Vega One supplement (protein+other great nutrients) to be great with greens. It's already a bit sweet so the greens balance it out.

In an era of Vitamix and Blendtec, I'm loving the old-school blender in the background.

I find apples work as well as mango or banana as a thickener fruit, for a more local option. I chop them up, peel and all (but then, I have a Blendtec). And a handful of cranberries (freeze them at Thanksgiving time) give a nice, tart flavor.

Also, fresh mint (or basil in the summer), makes a nice addition. Stay away from cilantro, however. It really doesn't work.

There are 50 comments here but has anyone tried this smoothie? It looks really good and I would love to know how it tastes.

I love the combination of cinnamon, ginger, & turmeric in my smoothies, breakfast drinks, or on my granola. Then found out that the China cassia cinnamon I'd been using contains coumarin and could have health consequences. I also realized I was getting up to 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon almost everyday, so I've switched to true cinnamon (Ceylon cinnamon) and cut back on the frequency and quantity!

I have heard that eating whole flax seeds is a waste as your system cannot digest these teeny tiny seeds. Better to use ground flax seed.

Just made this with unsweetened coconut /almond milk and chia seeds instead of flax.
So delicious!!!

I use hemp seed for the protein component, along with yogurt. And chia for omega 3s. Then spinach or kale, banana, frozen berries carrots, and/or apples. And ditto on VictoriaM's comment - try not to look at it if it is an unappealing colour. My kids think it's hysterical that they are drinking spinach.

LOVE green smoothies. My two cents - do not use a lot of raw kale in your smoothies unless you really like the bitterness of kale. Plus, there is some buzz about kale being much healthier for you if it is cooked (it's goitrogenic according to some reports; not so, according to others). I always lightly steam or microwave kale (for 30 seconds) before using it in smoothies or salads. I just pop it in the freezer for five minutes after cooking it and it tastes fine (still crisp but the bitterness is to a minimum.)

An immersion blender is the best way to make smoothies! Blends perfectly, rinses easily, fits in a drawer. We use the tall/wide clear container with measurements that came with ours.

I love and consume coconut water, it always feels refreshing, but I've read that unless you're extremely active it doesn't hydrate the average person any more than water. When determining your ideal breakfast components, it's worth researching on your own to see if coconut water is adding anything beyond a great flavor, more calories, and cost. For me it's worth the flavor but when I'm really counting calories I skip it.

All I want is an immersion blender! SO much quicker and simpler on the clean-up side of things than a blender or processor (though either would work - heck, a fork would work, if you're determined!) Just stick it in a large glass measuring pitcher - makes it even easier to scrape the sides for all the yummy healthy goodness.

@dec408, I realized something the other day when my immersion blender container broke: the immersion blender works perfectly in a STEIN! I have a big ceramic one I got for a buck or two from a thrift store, and it's perfect to hold about 2 cups of smoothie and blend without splattering!

You recipe sounds fantastic and I will try it soon. But I also wanted to tell you that I love your blender -- I think it is the same one my mom had when I was a child. It still works and has the added advantage of bringing up great memories. :-)

The blender, sadly, does not belong to me, though I too had this in the house where I grew up! This is Faith Durand's blender and I got to use it for 3 days straight while recipe testing with her!

The best green smoothie advice I've found is from http://tabletonic.blogspot.com/ Louise recommends adding a lemon - yes!

I need to replace my cheap blender and have been wishing for Vitamix, but maybe I'll try a $25 immersion blender.

Oops - here's the link to the recipe:
http://tabletonic.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-to-make-perfect-green-juicesmoothie.html

An immersion blender works just as well. Just blend the greens with your liquid first to minimize chunks. Then add the rest of your ingredients.