Daily Dose Of Greens
Let’s all admit it — sometimes it’s a struggle to get in as many veggies as we know we should. That’s where green smoothies come in! They’re the perfect way to get a healthy dose of nutrients without much fuss. Now, there is an art to making a green smoothie. Not everyone is accustomed to or comfortable throwing a salad’s worth of spinach into a smoothie. You want to pack in as many vegetables as possible while maintaining a sweet, dessert-like flavor. Luckily, we’ve developed a foolproof formula, and today, we’re breaking it down to the basics!
Grab These Ingredients
The nice thing about green smoothies is you can adjust them to whatever you’re craving (or whatever you have stocked in your kitchen)!
Leafy Greens: Spinach is my favorite because it breaks down easily in a blender, though kale and Swiss chard are close runners-up! Creamy Ingredient: Add something to make a smooth, creamy texture, like banana, Greek yogurt, coconut milk, avocados, or even silken tofu. Fruit: Fruit adds natural sweetness and flavor. You can use fresh or frozen, and virtually any fruit works well here (apples, mangoes, berries, stone fruit, kiwi, pineapple…you get the gist). If you don’t have frozen fruit, throw in a couple ice cubes!
How to make a green smoothie That tastes good
Step 1: Combine The Liquids And GreensThe secret to ultra-smooth green smoothies is blending the liquids and green veggies together first. This step prevents chunky spinach or kale bits from floating around in your smoothie! Some of my go-to liquids include non-dairy milk, coconut water, or orange juice. Step 2: Blend The RestThen, we’ll need a creamy base. I usually use chopped and frozen bananas (see how to freeze bananas here), but plain yogurt works well if you’re not a fan of bananas! Next, we have fruity flavors. You can use virtually any fruit you’d like. Step 3: Optional EnhancersFinally, we have the optional add-ins. You can throw in superfoods, vitamins, and optional flavor enhancers. Let your imagination go wild here!
Customize It
One of the best parts about making a green smoothie is switching it up to make it feel like a completely new beverage. Here are some customization options to make it your own:
Superfoods: Cinnamon, cocoa powder, goji berries, or acai powder. Protein Powder: Vanilla is my favorite, but chocolate or mixed berry flavors work well, too! Flavor Enhancers: Think vanilla extract, fresh ginger, or turmeric. Sweeteners: If you have a sweet tooth, try adding a drizzle of maple syrup or honey to your smoothie.
