The Perfect Green Smoothie! Learn the 5 Green smoothie tips you need to know to make the perfect smoothie!
Yes, I’m back with another smoothie recipe you guys. This is real life. These are all I have been making this week. Plus, my kids went back to school on Monday so it’s been one of those get back into our weekly routines, do all the laundry, clean the house weeks.
I also got a brand new refrigerator this week!!! I am so happy!!! If you know me, you know I am not organized when it comes to my fridge. It’s a mess. I blame it on all the food that I am cooking. And ingredients that I need. And the leftovers. Because of this, I rationalized that I need to keep our old fridge. . along with my other old fridge in the garage. So, now I have 3 refrigerators and a bonus freezer in the basement.
Anyone else crazy like me? I am determined to keep the one in my kitchen clean and organized. And I think this little set-up will work perfectly.
On Sunday, I went to Costco and stocked up (I mean stocked up! like massively) on fresh fruits, frozen fruits and veggies and everything I would need for these smoothies and for the week.
So, my new fridge is now stocked with fruits, veggies, and all the basics. I’m on Day 6 and I am obsessed. With smoothies. . and with this book.
In case you missed my last post, I’m doing the 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge, and am loving it! I have energy and feel great!!
You might be thinking how many possible combinations of fruits and veggies for smoothies are there???
There are a TON!!! and they are delicious!
And when you get bored of sipping on smoothies, make a smoothie bowl!
So, buy the book and join me!!! It’s not too late! Or, enter my giveaway for a chance to WIN the book!
Here are some tips from the authors on the art of making smoothies! 5 Green smoothie tips to get you started:
1. Follow the 60/40 formula.
Follow this simple formula: 60% fruits to 40% leafy greens. And now, I prefer water versus almond milk. Try a variation of a bunch of different fruits and vegetables and see what you like. And don’t just use spinach and kale. Try swiss chard, collard greens, green cabbage and basil!
2. If you have time, blend in stages to avoid leafy chunks.
Rather than throw everything in at once, to get a “smoother” green smoothie experience, blend up your leafy greens and liquid-base first. Then, add your remaining fruits and blend again. You don’t have to do this with every smoothie, but you’ll figure it out as you go and by your 10th green smoothie, you’ll be a pro.
3. Ditch the ice and freeze some fruits.
Want your green smoothie to be extra chilly? Freeze your favorite fruits like ripe bananas (peel first), grapes, pineapple or berries. This is also a great way to not waste ripe fruits (like those brown bananas on your counter). You can also freeze your leafy greens in a freezer-safe bag. Just make sure to add your frozen greens straight to the blender (don’t defrost these!).
4. Use raw natural sweeteners.
No need to add honey or agave. Add naturally sweet fruits like bananas, mango, apples, pears or pitted dates to any smoothie that tastes bitter or a bit too “green.”
5. Make smoothies ahead for the perfect fast food.
My husband leaves super early in the morning so I have been making smoothies for him the night before and store them in the fridge so he can have one in the morning before he leaves for work. You can store your smoothies with an airtight lid for up to two days in the fridge. Mix it up first and enjoy!
The Perfect Green Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 2 bananas
- Topping: pomegranate arils
Instructions
- Blend the spinach and water until smooth. Add the mango, pineapple and bananas and blend again. Top with pomegranate arils if desired. Enjoy!
Recipe from Simple Green Smoothies book
I can’t organize my fridge to save my life. We’re terrible at letting leftover containers stay there too long, or letting the veggies turn to slime. It’s not pretty. And I always tell myself I’ll be better, and then…nope.
So congrats on the brand new fridge! That’s exciting!
And smoothies are the best for energy. And you can make them ahead, which is even better. This one looks so dreamy!
This really does look like the perfect green smoothie, Alice! And I love the 60-40% ratio. I’m definitely going to remember that!
My fridge is clean and organized for one day, once a month, when I empty everything out and clean the shelves, the following day its back to chaos in there. 😉 Congrats on the new fridge lady! I have been on the look out for a new one, and my husband wants the one that just came out with the android screen on the front (you can see whats in your fridge from the grocery store)… but i’m not sold on spending so much money. #frugal. Anyways, i’m super impressed you are staying with the 30 day smoothie diet! Not hard to see why because this smoothie looks amazing, as did the smoothie bowl you posted Monday! Love the color and the flavors! Cheers, Alice and happy almost weekend!
Happy New Year Alice! Your smoothie looks beautiful! I’m going to share your recipe with my eldest daughter who has been enjoying the daily juicing routine.
I’ve been stalking you on IG with your smoothie and this 60/40 formula is something new to learn. Love the combo and how green it turns out
I just organized my fridge over the weekend and it looks terrible today… It is hard to keep it looking nice 🙂 Love your tips on green smoothies! Going to try this recipe today !
Yay for a new fridge! Ours could totally use some reorganizing! Bring on all the smoothies, we love them around here and I am always up for trying new combos! 🙂 Yours looks so refreshing and perfect!
Congrats on the new fridge! And Costco is the best for stocking up on fruits and veggies – I simply love their bags of frozen fruits and veggies!
And Alice – thanks so much for sharing those tips – I’ve been trying a variation of #3 in that I use frozen veggies and ice but I cannot wait to try a smoothie with only frozen veggies!
I love the pom seed topping, this is really the perfect smoothie!
You are AMAZINg! And such an inspiration, I love it! this smoothie is just perfect but I think the bowl wins the contest. Thanks for the tips. I am getting my fridge tomorrow and tempted to just keep the old one too hhaha!
Congrats on the new fridge! I try to keep mine sane, but there are so many hands in it all the time I’m fighting a losing battle. haha I love this run down on how to get the perfect green smoothie, and I’m going to try it!
I’ve been loving seeing all your green smoothies pictures on FB this week! I could easily drink a green smoothie everyday for a month. I love ’em! These are some great smoothie making tips. I’ve never bothered blending in stages before (= lazy!), but tomorrow morning I’m going to try that!
First of all, yay for the new fridge! And second, your smoothies are so cheerful and colorful, and I love the idea of the smoothie bowl – genius!!
This is SUCH a gorgeous smoothie, Alice! I’m seriously obsessing over that pretty shade of green!
This really IS the PERFECT green smoothie. Quick, simple and loaded with healthy, delicious things! I’m thinking this is breakfast! Pinned!
Green smoothie are a regular in my home, it’s how I stuff my boys with spinach and kale.
Keeping a clean and organized fridge is one of the hardest things ever. It sounds simple enough, but I swear as soon as I blink everything is back to utter chaos. Loving this green smoothie. It’s so vibrant and would make a perfect breakfast! Hope your year is off to a great start! Happy Friday!
I love that you have 3 refrigerators. We just moved and now only have one and I am constantly running out of space. These green smoothies look awesome! I need more greens in my life for sure! 🙂 Happy New Year.
I also love the girls of Simple Green Smoothies too Alice! And their website too 🙂 I’ve been eating my oatmeal every morning and have (very) good intentions to get on the treadmill 🙂 Here’s to a healthy & happy 2016!!
I love smoothies. We call them the green drink and the kids love them. I like the touch of color with the pomegranates. I agree with those tips too. Maybe even more veggies, when pineapple is used. Your green color is perfect!
I absolutely love green smothies and I do miss chewing sometimes. I should try smoothie bowls!
The Simple Green Smoothies site and the Beginner’s Luck recipe were how I got started on green smoothies! I even got my mom drinking them now too. And, three refrigerators and a freezer?!?!