how to make a green smoothie
Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 5:08PM
Recently, I've been getting asked [a lot] what it is that I have for breakfast. My answer is: on most days, a green smoothie. Then, the question that usually follows is: aren't you hungry shortly after? To which I answer: Nope. Not with the amount of veggies and greens I'm consuming.
Because of this, I decided to post the recipe [well, actually it's more of a guideline] for how I make my green smoothie. I have to warn you though, there is no exact science to this, and some days it tastes amazing and some days it's ... well .... to be frank, not so amazing. It all depends on the freshness and/or the ripeness of certain ingredients. But the one thing remains the same is that I love the way I feel when I drink a green smoothie in the morning.
Smoothies are different than juices. There are definitely stronger arguments that smoothies are better simply because the vegetables are being consumed whole, the way they were meant to be. I also find that for a meal in the morning, the green smoothie is much more filling and will hold you over better than a green juice.
So what are the benefits when you drink green smoothies most mornings? Lots. Besides getting a boat load of vitamins and minerals from the gorgeous variety of greens, you are also getting a hefty dose of our best friend, fiber. Fiber helps us detoxify, and helps keep our insides happy. When our insides are happy our outsides look happy ... simple as that.
With that, I bring you some directions for crafting your smoothie. Play around with different ingredents, see what you like and what you don't like, and always switch things up depending on what you find is fresh, local, seasonal, and organic.
Happy Smoothie-ing!
- Start by placing a cup of water in a high powered blender. A Vitamix works the best, but if you do not own one, then a regular blender will work fine.
- Add the lemon juice (if using) as well as the protein powder (if using).
- Then, add the leafy greens. You will want to add about 5-6 large pieces of kale (I remove the stalks, I find they have a strong taste), and add a handful of spinach and a handful of romaine, and the parsley and cilantro.
- Blend on high until smooth.
- Then add the celery, cucumber (un-peeled), and your choice of fruit (seeds and stem removed if necessary).
- Blend again on high until smooth.
- Add 1-2 cubes of ice, and blend again until smooth.
- Drink up right away. I recommend making this fresh every time, as opposed to storing overnight.
enjoy.
Reader Comments (7)
Very cool, Jodi. I love guideline-recipes so much more than exact ones (unless exact ones are necessary, like, say, with cream puffs or something). : ) Cool photos, too.
Thank you Shanna!
And - I completely agree. I am much more of a guideline kind of person (but yeah, cream puffs would need full on direction) ;)
Will try your method of blending - been making similar smoothies but didn't really enjoy them that much as they're not smooth enough even though I have a decent quality blender. I usually do a big batch at the weekend and then freeze in small pots and then defrost overnight during the week so I can have one every morning without the prep - am not a morning person :-) Good way of using up any leftovers from my weekly veggie box, would recommend beetroot, tastes nice plus the pink colour!
I have been drinking a green smoothie every morning for about six months now. What an amazing transformation. No one could have convinced me that I would not be starving but sometimes I look at the clock and it's 1 or 2 in the afternoon and I don't feel any hunger. It has so helped with my energy levels and moods. I am a believer now because I wasn't before.
Well, that must be faith :) I just got a Vitamix and used it for the first time today, I made almond milk 10 minutes ago. Then I checked my emails and saw your new post. The main reason I wanted to have a Vitamix is because of the Green Smoothies. My other blender is fine but well... not a Vitamix ;) It always leaves clumps and seeds so I really can´t wait for my first "new" Green Smoothie! Thanks for the guideline, great post!
Eva - great recommendations, and I love the idea of freezing and using throughout the week! What a great idea (especially for non-morning people;)
Dani - I love it! And ... you are going to LOVE your vitamix! I use mine every day ... best purchase I have ever made.