I am addicted to green smoothies. It all started when I watched this movie – and I have been having green smoothies almost everyday since then. Who knew these things were so delicious??
I love the way they make me feel.
I love that I am getting tons of healthy greens in one big jar a day to give my body what it really wants.
Oh how I love thee dear green smoothies….
Now that my garden this year is starting to bring forth much spinach, cilantro, parsley and lettuce I am able to save a lot more money on making these lovely smoothies. I usually go out in the morning and clip off some of my fresh herbs and spinach from my garden. Then bring it right in to wash and blend.
This was the first year I have grown spinach and just look at this leaf!
I can’t believe how thick and beautiful it is. The spinach in the store that I buy are not nearly as thick, beautiful and fresh as this one is.
Okay, so let me share my favorite Green Smoothie Recipe with you. It’s great for beginners and my kids LOVE it!
MY FAVORITE GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPE
The first thing you will want to do is run out and buy a Vitamix or Blendtec for around $400. Okay, ain’t nobody can afford that right? Well, when our last tax return check came in I finally bought one. I have been dreaming of this thing for about 4 years and I am SO glad I just did it. My family has used this thing every single day. If you don’t have a fancy blender, that’s okay too. You can use any blender for this recipe, it just might take some extra help with blending up your veggies.
I first add some water in my blender. Usually I fill it up to be around 1/4 full of water as you can see in the picture above.
Next I fill it to the brim with fresh spinach leaves or kale leaves. I also add a pinch of fresh parsley and cilantro.
Sometimes I also add a little bit of fresh ginger and a celery stalk when I am feeling extra wild. You can really add in whatever greens you like.
Then I turn the blender on low and gradually increase the speed.
Then I put it on full power for about 30-45 seconds so the greens are really fine.
Then I turn off the blender. At this point you can add in more greens if you like, sometimes when I like my smoothie extra thick I just grab another handful of spinach leaves and add it in.
After your greens are all mixed up I add about a tablespoon of orange juice concentrate.
Then about a cup of frozen pineapple.
A handful of frozen strawberries + a banana (not pictured).
Every once in awhile I also throw in an apple (cored. )
Then blend until thick and smooth.
And it’s done.
Mmmmm…I do love these green smoothies!
My Favorite Green Smoothie
Ingredients
- Water
- Leaves Spinach or Kale
- Pinch of Fresh Parsley
- Pinch of Cilantro
- Fresh Ginger optional
- Celery Stalk optional
- 1 Tbsp Orange Juice Concentrate
- 1 Cup Frozen Pineapple
- Handful of Frozen Strawberries
- Banana
- Apple Cored optional
Instructions
- Add water to blender, fill the blender approximately 1/4 full.
- Next fill the blender to the brim with fresh spinach leaves or kale leaves.
- Add a pinch of fresh parsley and cilantro.
- If you desire, add a little bit of fresh ginger and a celery stalk or any other greens you like.
- Turn the blender on low and gradually increase the speed.
- Then put it on full power for about 30 to 45 seconds so the greens are really fine.
- Turn the blender off.
- You can add in more greens if you like. If you like an extra thick smoothie, grab another handful of spinach leaves and add it in.
- After your greens are all mixed up, add in about 1 tbsp of orange juice concentrate.
- Then add 1 cup of frozen pineapple.
- A handful of frozen strawberries and banana.
- Every once in awhile I also throw in an apple (cored).
- Then blend until thick and smooth.
Let me know your thoughts…does the idea of green smoothies gross you out? Have you made them before? What else do you add to yours?
Yum! I have a protein shake every morning and add spinach to them too. I will sometimes add a scoop of yogurt or honey since I don’t do the pineapple or strawberries. I also recommend a tsp of apple cider vinegar and a tbs of chia seeds for the added nutritional value.
I have never tried apple cider vinegar as of yet..what is that good for? I have done the chia seeds though 🙂 .
Karrie,
Apple cider vinegar is good for many different things. I know it helps keep your system (digestive, immune) in balance. It helps your gall bladder. When I feel a cold coming on, I take 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar twice a day and it helps kill the germs in your throat. I have felt better the next day. It also has helped shorten a cold. Some people I know drink it every day with their orange juice but I only drink it when i’m starting to feel a cold coming. Drink it cold as it doesn’t taste good warm and chase it down with some juice if you drink it by itself and not in a smoothie.
Thanks, I will definately have to try it. 🙂
I’m sending this recipe to my wife – she’ll love it! Thanks for posting.
Awwwee, thanks Hal!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE vitamix blenders but have yet to be able to afford one. They are cheaper at Costco. I think $350. I have a NInja kitchen system and LOVE it. First blender I have found that is comparable to the vitamix. I like the variable speed on the vitamix. I used them in culinary school for so many wonderful dishes. The ninja just has 3 speed buttons. I love how the ninja has the 3 level blade to help chop and blend things better.
I have yet to try the green smoothies. I drink just regular fruit smoothies every day. I add the protein powder too. I will have to try a green smoothie soon. Looks and sounds delish. My daughter 2.5 loves to help make smoothies and loves to drink them!
Oh that is great to know – I have heard of people enjoying the ninja as well and its only around $100 I think.
Well I admit it doesn’t look too bad in your pictures, but it still sounds gross. What does it taste like? I tried the Odwalla SuperFood juice stuff as my friend had some it and tasted really yummy, just looked gross. I’m intrigued, but can’t wait the movie right now – what’s the skinny on the green smoothie?
You can barely even taste the greens, they have hardly any flavor at all! 🙂 So it tastes like a fruit smoothie to me, only healthier.
Yummie! 1 1/2 C. water, handful of spinach, kale, collard greens, 1T flax, 1T agave, 1 banana, 1 C. mixed fresh or frozen, (I like frozen to chill the smoothie) you can add a Tablespoon of wheat germ and/or bee pollen for some extra energy. I love the blendtec…..burned up my kitchenaid trying to blend all the greens.
What movie did you get your green smoothie urge from?
It’s called Hungry For Change, it’s free on netflix to watch I think! 🙂
I love that documentary, I’ve watched it twice. It helped me and my family to change the way we ate. Got rid of all the processed food and no more candy! We went from a huge stock pile of food down to only a pantry full of mostly fruits and veggies. I was fortunate enough that my kids did not put up much of a fight.
I need to try this recipe along with the variations from other posts. I spend 4 dollars per bottle of organic “green juice” (the kind with chlorella in it) but we go through 4 a week! Myself, my husband and two children each have a serving every morning. Can this be made in large batches to last a week in the fridge or would it spoil?
I have been drinking green smoothies for about 2 weeks love them so I was looking for some new recipes l will try yours one of my refreshing smoothies is spinach 1 pear 1 banana and a half cup of sunnyd I shove as much spinach as I can in the blender good summer smoothie and I like the red pears
I use spinach, kale, collard greens, carrot, celery, sometimes a bit of tomato.
parsley, cilantro (these are important for detoxing) cucumber.
then I add lemon, apple, frozen strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, pineapple, mango, cranberries, a kiwi (skin and all) and a tiny bit of ginger root.
I add coconut water to help it blend and chia seeds and flax. (sometimes I add half a grapefruit) this makes about 16-20 oz. very yummy.
How.How much do you use of each?
I LOVE green smoothies! I enjoy oatmeal, sunflower seeds in mine! I have an autoimmune disorder and can’t A LOT of different foods. I am really limited and eat a lot of greens and some fish and grass fed meat. Anyways, sometimes I have a problem making meals where I stay full all day and these shakes keep me stay full till lunch…sometimes having to make myself eat a salad! I love looking up new recipes and experimenting with my own!
I’ve been on a green smoothie kick as well. They taste amazing and I love the vibrant green color. My favorite so far is Tropical Paradise, it has….
5 Oranges (juiced, I do this with my citrus juicer), 1/2 of one pineapple, 1 cup frozen mango (or more) 1 cup kale or spinach, and 2 leafs of basil or small handful of cilantro.
I personal love the basil in it. FYI, this makes enough for two, unless your like me and wait til the kids go to school, heheheh!!
You don’t even have to core the apple if you’re using a Vita-Mix. I like being able to just cut it in fourths or eighths, keeping in the healthy seeds. And you also don’t need to remove the stems from the strawberries either. I’m all for laziness–especially when I can skip a step with cooking because of it! 🙂
I add some cherry juice concentrate (helps with joint pain), protein powder, and ACV to mine every morning. I also use 1/2 an avocado, helps make it smooth and creamy. YUM! I’ve had a green smoothie every morning since Jan 1st and I feel amazing. No more coffee! The green smoothie gives me even more of a boost.
I have waited a long time to see a green smoothie recipe that actually sounded good to me! I am going to try this. Sadly, believe it or not, I lost my VitaMix in my divorce!! Small price to pay!! I have a Ninja and I love it! Way cheaper and just as good, if you ask me! Thanks for the inspiration of the green smoothie!