How to Make Green Smoothies
Where do I start with how much I love green smoothies? There are many ways to improve your health, but adding a green smoothie is one of the best! I have had a green smoothie daily for over ten years and don’t intend to stop!
Sometimes, when we think about improving our health, we feel like we need to do everything right away. That isn’t true.
Adding a green smoothie to your daily diet can be just the thing you need to make a difference in your life!
Our cells need to regenerate, and our immune system needs strengthening to be healthy. Both of those things require a concentration of nutrients, and the amount of nutrients you can squeeze into a smoothie is unlike anything else!
A green smoothie gives your body a hefty dose of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, all of which add health to your body and give you sustained energy that will last throughout your morning and into your day. SO LET’S MAKE ONE!
Greens are the star of the show and will make up 75% of this powerhouse of nutrition! Any dark, leafy green, or cruciferous vegetable, such as cabbage, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, etc., will work.
The remaining 25% will be your favorite fruit. A very ripe banana is popular because it adds sweetness and helps cut the green taste. Mango is another favorite, although any fruit will do. Pineapple, oranges, cherries, berries, blueberries, etc. are other excellent options. I almost always add a peeled lemon, as lemon adds a freshness I love. I also add a nice chunk of ginger but feel free to leave that out if you are not a fan.
I keep a variety of frozen fruit in my freezer. I also buy bananas in bulk, peel them, and freeze them when they are spotty brown, so I always have some available.
Start by adding 2 cups of water to your blender. After adding a large amount of greens, do a quick blend to make room for your fruit. Add in a couple tablespoons of freshly ground chia or flax seeds. Chia and flax are the best options for omega 3’s which are potent anti-inflammatories! Blend again and enjoy!
Smoothies do not have to be “green” to be nutritious!
Cruciferous veggies like cabbage and cauliflower are nutritionally dense and make an excellent smoothie base. The one on the left above is napa and savoy cabbage with banana and mango, and the one on the right is purple cabbage, cauliflower, beet, mango, and banana. The ratios are still the same: 75% veggies and 25% fruit.
Smoothies are best consumed as soon as you make them but will easily last the whole day in an insulated cup or in the refrigerator. Double the quantity of all ingredients and make enough for a loved one or an extra for yourself!
Smoothies are the ideal way to hyper-nourish your body and mind, so two a day is even better than one!
