Basic Green Smoothie
Yesterday when I shared my 2012 foodie goals with you, the one at the top of my list was getting more fresh fruit and leafy greens into my diet. I promised you a killer green smoothie recipe, and here it is! Given my aversion to vegetables, I had been giving the skeptical side-eye to green smoothies for the better part of a year before I finally caved in and tried one. I love smoothies and I love fruit, and (shockingly) I even like spinach (although it has to be raw, like in a salad – I hate it cooked), but I just never thought I would like it. When I took my first sips, there was definite shock and awe – not only did I not gag, but I actually really, really liked it. Such a bright, fresh flavor and if you do happen to be spinach-averse the good news is that you absolutely cannot taste it at all. Seriously! It just tastes like a blend of banana and citrus – I love it!
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Last year my mom and sister each did a pretty intense cleanse and my mom put together a binder of smoothie recipes that were in line with the cleanse guidelines. Not surprisingly, I am not a cleanse girl. Attempting to eliminate anything from my diet pretty much guarantees that I will crave it in 0.2 seconds. I just can’t do it, I love food too much. Instead, I stick to my “everything in moderation” and 80/20 rule of eating healthy 80% of the time so I can indulge and enjoy what I want the other 20% of the time. It pretty much works for me, but I know that I have trouble with fresh fruits and vegetables. I simply don’t eat enough of them. Enter the green smoothie – a great solution to my problem and an easy way to get 2+ servings of fruit and 2 cups of leafy greens into my daily diet without really trying. I mixed and matched some different elements of the smoothie recipes my mom had saved, with this being my favorite combination.
This makes a little over 2 cups of smoothie – you can drink it all at once or separate it into two servings. When I make this I usually like to drink half for breakfast, and then save the second half for an afternoon snack. You can store your portions in airtight containers in the refrigerator. (I actually think the smoothie tastes even better when it’s well-chilled.) When you’re ready to drink, give them a good stir (it will thicken in the fridge) and enjoy!
Do you have any favorite smoothie recipes? Feel free to share them in the comments below, I’m always looking for great new ideas!
Two years ago: Chocolate Babka
Four years ago: Brown Sugar-Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Basic Green Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups (500 ml) cold water
- 1 banana, cut into chunks
- 1 orange, peeled and separated into segments
- ½ (0.5) apple, your favorite variety, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks
- ½ (0.5) lemon, peeled and separated into segments
- ½- inch (0.5 inch) piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
- 2 cups (60 g) baby spinach
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth and completely combined.
- Drink all at once, or separate into two servings. The smoothie can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day. When it comes out of the fridge, it will have thickened, so give it a brisk stir (or use a small whisk) and enjoy!
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Love the green vegetables and fruit smoothie made one yesterday it was really good I’m goin to continue to make them hope when I move to Ireland I will be makin a lot of these smoothies.
Wow ! What a recipe, I am just trying it right now.
Thank you for sharing, I also love drinking green smoothies every day. It helps me gain more energy especially right after my gym session.
Most of the time I gather and experiment for new smoothies that I encountered in every place I go. And I love spinach smoothie that you did, it’s very healthy and I love the idea of adding orange and ginger. I can’t wait to try this at home. I will add this recipe to my green smoothie recipes collections, you can read it here https://behealthy.today/green-smoothie-best-health-drink/.
Loved this recipe
thanks for sharing nice recipe
Also, thanks for being a body-positive, food-positive kind of gal, I always love reading your posts. :)
Sounds so yummy! Thank you for sharing!! Im searching for some green smoothie to try because it’s healthy :)
For someone who is really not fond of veggies, this is really, really good. I’ve finally tried it and it’s delicious! And it worked in my blender, so no need to buy a juicer. Congratulations on your new bundle of joy!
I have just tried a smoothie recipe from over at Annie’s Eats, it’s awesome!
Lemony kale mango smoothie:
Half a cup ribbed kale leaves
Juice of 1 lemon
1 small banana
Half a mango, peeled and cubed
Half a cup crushed ice
Half a cup cold water
It’s amazing how you totally don’t taste the kale, it’s just lemony, banana sweetness!
I’v never made a smoothie before today but will be trying yours next Michelle : )
I am going to use his as a base and add half a cup of plain greek yogurt for protein and a tsp of chia!
Any ideas for what to substitute for the banana?
Whatever type of fruit you like!
Hey Michelle, Please how many calories in this recipe?
Hi Nancy, I have no idea, I don’t typically calculate calories for recipes.