It has come to my attention that my green smoothie consumption is at an all time high. I definitely feel the difference when I skip my morning dose.  If you have no clue where to begin in terms of green smoothie making, you are not alone.  Many people have asked me what the heck I throw into my blender every morning.

Unfortunately, I have made a few undrinkable creations before.  So,  before you blend up a cup of yuck (that will turn you off to green smoothies for the rest of your life) learn from my mistakes, blend up something delicious, snap a picture of your creation to share with me later, and enjoy!

Green Smoothie how-to’s:

1) Choose your green wisely 

Spinach:

• Best green to start out with
• Very mild flavor
• Blends well in most blenders (high powered blender not essential)
• Compliments any mix-in well

Romaine:

• Do not recommend for green smoothie newbies
• Blends nicely
• Very strong flavor

Kale:

• Medium-strong flavor
• One of my personal favorites but here is a word of warning:

I use a VITAMIX, which blends the kale perfectly.  Using a traditional blender tends to create a smoothie with small, chunky kale bits that can be undesirable!

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A HIGH POWERED BLENDER:

• Use baby kale OR dino (lacinato) kale.

Baby kale doesn’t have tough center stems,  so it tends to be easier to blend up.  Both the baby and dino kale have a more mild flavor than curly kale. 

• If using dino kale, remove the tough center stems before blending
• Add the kale to the blender first

Swiss chard/ rainbow chard:

• Medium flavor
• Rainbow chard is beautiful!
• High powered blenders work best

2) choose your liquid

• Juice
• Coconut water
• Almond milk
• Coconut milk
• Water

My favorites:

• coconut water & a dash or two of orange juice 
• Almond milk & a dash or two of 100% tart cherry, cranberry, or orange juice
• Straight coconut water or regular water 

3) choose your fruit &/or veggies

The possibilities are endless; pick something you love in the beginning & don’t forget to switch it up every now & then

• Tropical blends work very well with greens: mango, pineapple, peach, orange, banana
• Freeze ripe bananas for a delicious flavor and creamy texture
• Avocado gives you a dose of healthy fat & also creates a creamy texture
• Berries will make your green smoothie brownish (tastes great, but may not look appetizing)
• Freeze grapes to throw in your smoothie- they increase the water content & taste great!
• Peel & freeze cubed zucchini for a nutritional boost.  Use sparingly, flavor can be strong.

4) mix-ins and additions

There are so many seeds, powders, nuts, roots, and antioxidant-rich berries available out there… don’t get overwhelmed by trying to figure out what to add to your green smoothie.  There is always time to build on what is already great!  Having said that… these are the mix-ins I would recommend for a green smoothie newbie: 

• Chia seeds
• unsweetened dried coconut
• unsweetened cocoa powder

These three things are simply delicious when added to the right combo of ingredients! 

5) less is more

• Start with a handful of your green of choice, then increase the amount as your tastebuds & stomach allow
• In the beginning, too many greens may cause some unpleasant GI side effects

You can always add more, but you can’t take something out of your smoothie once it’s blended!!

6) Get Blending!

• Make your own creation or try one of mine…
• If you have any smoothie requests or questions, let me know!

“Sweet spinach sunrise”

Rise & shine, it’s green smoothie time! 

Reminiscent of a Creamsicle, but full of green goodness, this smoothie is a great way to start your day! 

Click here for a printable recipe