Best Green Smoothie Recipe

We have heard all about the health benefits of drinking green smoothies, but I love them because they taste so good. Even my picky children like green smoothies. Years ago, I tried to make green smoothies and could not drink them. It is definitely the color and the texture that turns us off. I think if you make the first ones look appealing, you will enjoy them. Most of us have trouble getting our daily requirement of vegetables, but when you drink a green smoothie, the taste of the greens is hidden by the taste of the fruit, so you don’t even notice the vegetables are there.

Green smoothies will provide you with energy, and are very filling. They contain a high amount of fiber so you will feel like you have had a full meal. I like to add protein powder to my smoothies, especially after I have exercised. A smoothie is a perfect breakfast after exercising or a run. It is quick to prepare, and you do not have to own a fancy blender or juicer. You can make them in a regular blender. I do not blend mine for a long period of time because I like for it to have a little texture. Because smoothies are already blended, they are quicker to digest. Your body does not need to work so hard to digest the food in order to get the nutrients.

If I use berries, I will add ground flaxseed because flax seed is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids. The flaxseed will cause your smoothie to have a gritty texture, but if you already are using berries it is not noticeable.

This is my basic recipe for a smoothie, but I add different ingredients all the time. After you make a few, you do not have to measure your ingredients. You can just add what you want to it. If you use protein powder, you can add it to your smoothie.

If you use frozen fruit, you do not need a lot of ice. Also, I half and freeze a few of my bananas when I purchase them so that I will always have one on hand.

Recipe

8 ounces of almond milk (I like the vanilla)
1 cup or a handful of spinach
1/2 cup frozen fruit
1/2 of a banana
5 pieces of ice

Pulse in a blender until it is the texture that you like. If it is too thick, add a little more milk or water.

Options
1 Tablespoon of ground flaxseed
1 scoop of protein powder
1 Tablespoon of almond butter
ginger
chia seeds
yogurt
avocado
cucumber
kale
coconut water instead of almond milk