Glowing Green
One of my absolute favorite things is a Green Smoothie. It’s a fast, easy, and delicious way to get a big dose of vitamins and minerals, plus it tastes FANTASTIC!!
Don’t let the color’s fool you!! It is sweet and filling – even the kids love it!! They love to name it the “Monster Smoothie” or “Shreck Smoothie” or some other fun name but believe me, kids go crazy for it!! And it’s a great way to sneak in some powerful green nutrition into their diet.
It’s super fast to make and a great breakfast or snack option, especially for people on the go and those looking to lose weight. It takes about 1 min to make, literally!!
This recipe is super simple. All you need is a blender and the following ingredients:
- 1-2 bananas
- 1/2 cup frozen peaches
- 1/2 cup frozen mango
- a couple handfuls of spinach
- water
Add just enough water to blend and enjoy, that’s it! Forget the dehydrating morning latte and get the glow with a Green Smoothie instead.
I’ve have clients who have literally changed their lives just by adding Green Smoothies into their routine. Great for weight loss, digestive health, supporting the immune system, and as a healthy and filling snack. After a couple of weeks you’ll have that ‘Glow’ – glowing skin, hair, nails, even eyes get brighter! Who doesn’t want that?!
Try any combo you like, all you need is a base of bananas, fruit of your choice and a couple handfuls of your favorite green (I like spinach as it has a really mild flavor that blends well).
Go ahead, try it, I know you want to!! It may just change your life!!
Green Smoothie FAQ:
- People always ask me what kind of blender I use and recommend. I make all my smoothies using a VitaMix which is a super awesome, state of the art, amazing, must have high speed blender. They are the ONLY blender that will get you the creamy consistency that you desire. I love, love, LOVE my VitaMix and highly recommend investing in one if you are ready to make serious changes to your diet. I have had mine for almost 5 years and use it daily! If you’re not ready to drop that kind of cash, Hamilton Beach makes some great budget friendly blenders that you can get at your local Walmart or Target.
- If you can not do bananas for any reason simply leave it out or substitute any other fruit you like. If you want a creamier consistency, you can substitute avocado or coconut meat/flakes instead of the banana.
- If you cannot have the fruits listed, simply use any fruits that you CAN have. Same goes for the spinach. If you can’t use spinach, you can substitute any green leafy vegetable of your choice; swiss chard, kale, romaine, arugula, etc. The basic recipe is fruit + greens + water.
- If you want the smoothie to be BRIGHT green as pictured, use only lighter colored fruits like pineapple, green grapes, kiwi, green apples, yellow raspberries, pear, orange, etc. If you add darker fruits like strawberries, cherries, etc your smoothie will turn out to be more of a brown color – still DELICIOUS, just not as vibrantly green as in the pictures above.
- Can I add yogurt or milk to my green smoothie? I am a firm believer in proper food combining. Dairy does not combine well with fruit and will cause fermentation, yeast, digestive issues, and will not aid in weight loss. That’s the reason I don’t recommend adding yogurt or any other dairy products. Believe me, you will be satisfied with the smoothies, the recipe will make about a quart which will definitely fill you up!!
- If you have blood sugar issues, use avocado and/or coconut meat/flakes and semi-sweet fruits like grapefruit, berries, green apples, and add stevia to taste. I strongly recommend purchasing through iherb.com. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE iherb!! They’ve got the lowest prices ANYWHERE (often up to 40% below retail) and I can get absolutely anything I need from supplements & superfoods to shampoo, facial cleanser, bath salts and laundry detergent - you name it, they’ve got it!! I love you guys, so please feel free to use my discount code WAG472 to get $5 OFF your first order + free shipping on orders of $20 or more!!
- If you are constantly rushing out the door in the morning, you can make your smoothies the night before. They will last in the fridge for up to 24hrs.
- If you are REALLY pressed for time, you can make all your green smoothies for the week then freeze them. Each night remove one and let thaw on the counter or in the fridge so that the next morning it’s ready to go.
- This recipe will make approximately 32 ounces. You can have as little or as much as you need to feel full!
- A lot of people ask how many calories are in the Green Smoothie. I don’t EVER worry about calories! When you’re eating whole foods, especially raw unprocessed fruits and vegetables, you don’t have to!! That’s what is SO LIBERATING about it!! If you must know, you can use an online calculator like fitday.com but know that those details don’t matter when you’re eating whole foods! I go into a lot more detail about this in my one-on-one sessions if you’re interested in learning and understanding more
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I have been drinking a green smoothie every a.m. for the last several weeks and I couldn’t agree more! Definitely glowing, more energy, easy to make, nutrient dense and delicious. I use almond milk in place of H2o….
Keep Glowing Mercedes!!!!
For somebody low on iron most of the time, adding fresh spinach to smoothies would be a great way to get your iron in.
I am wondering if I can use fresh peaches and fresh mango in lue of the frozen, is does the frozen add something to it?
I am so excited to try this recipe. I think my 6 yr old daughter will love it, because it’s a funky color. Awesome way to sneak in some goodness to her as well!
sure!! I like frozen because it gives it a nice creamy consistency
Hi! I used the above recipe but it didnt come out as bright/light green as yours pictured! I love that color! Did you use the peaches and mangos to get that color? I didnt add too much water, could that be it? hmm
I addressed this in the FAQ at the bottom of the post
“If you want the smoothie to be BRIGHT green as pictured, use only lighter colored fruits like pineapple, green grapes, kiwi, green apples, yellow raspberries, pear, orange, etc. If you add darker fruits like strawberries, cherries, etc your smoothie will turn out to be more of a brown color – still DELICIOUS, just not as vibrantly green as in the pictures above.”
Enjoy!! xo
I also drink green smoothies nearly everyday. I’m a waitress at a busy vegan restaurant in NYC, and I find that our “Green Power” smoothie–loaded with spinach, spirulina, banana and orange juice gives me the energy I need to shine! I love your use of frozen peaches and mango.
At home I throw in kiwi and frozen berries, and I love to mix spinach and swiss chard.
And on top of all that, I love your blog : )
Thanks Jenne!! Your combo sounds delish!!
What other green fruits/vegetables do you recommend? Do you have the exact portions on how to makea green smoothie? Thank you. It sounds delicious.
You can use the recipe listed above or modify it with any fruit of your choice!
great job, im green with envy at this time
oh! awesome i love green smoothies!
you seriously do not taste the greens at all.
your pictures are gorgeous to, i run this site: http://www.healthfreakfood.com, it’s sort of like a tastepotting type site but for health freaks. check it out and see if you’d like to submit
Awesome Jaclyn, I’ll check it out!! Thank you!!
Awesome. I am not turned off by the color at all, I love it! I just saw a recipe from Whole Foods that also has some spinach in the smoothie, I definitely have to try it now.
Thanks.
Yes Sara, definitely try it, you’re gonna love it! Let me know what you think!!
I get up really early in the a.m and cant wake the house up with blender noise, can I make it the night before?
Yes absolutely! Smoothies are typically good for about 24hrs in the refrigerator
Thank you! Ya’ll read my mind…I can make it for school and throw it in the school fridge…willing to bet no one will drink my bright green smoothie hehe
I LOVE this smoothy!! I recently had a baby and every morning wake up with such pain in my feet that I cant walk and hobble like an old lady. After about half hour the pain is gone but if im off my feet it happens again and standing too long they KILL. I take all kinds of suppliments with no relief until the green smoothy! I dont think its a coinscidence at all and will continue this yummy treat regularly. I add ground flax for added nutrients! I love it and how its making me feel! my ( year old like sit too!
Amanda,
Glad the smoothies are helping, too!
Hate that your feet are so sore, but based on your symptoms it sounds like plantar fasciaitis, if you get a chance to talk to a dr about it, ask about stretches and exercises you can do before getting out of bed to help ease some of the pain.
I love a green smoothie and I try to have one everyday. Kale is a must in every green smoothie I drink. Kale is King! I also add either spinach or collard greens along with the kale, banana, chopped carrot, and blueberries.
LOVE Kale!!! Especially in my green juices!
What is Kale? Is there a specific taste?
Yum! Love the flavor combo. I invested in a Blendtec this past weekend and have started having a green smoothie every day. You are so right on how delicious and nutritious they are. I add some ground flaxseed to mine and it seriously keeps hunger at bay for 4-5 hrs. Love it! Will be giving your recipe a try =)
Awesome Jimena! Yes, GS are totally satisfying and keep you full four hours!! xo
This looks so good! The color is amazing…and I’m sure the flavor is amazing, too.
try adding a teaspoon of matcha powder! It’s really really good for you and with all the fruit, you’ll barely be able to taste it. Some people find matcha bitter, but the taste tends to balance when mixed. It’ll add to the green-ness and give a kick of antioxidents
I started drinking a type of this smoothie today. I used 2 bananas, spinach, mango, pineapple and water. It is defiantly delish and a great add to the day when taking care of 4 boys.
Awesome Nicolette! It’s such a great way to start your day!! I love them as a snack too! Did you give any to your boys? Kids LOVE them! Just tell them it’s a “Hulk” or “Shreck” shake and they’ll go crazy for it!
My boys loved them but my nephew wasn’t on board because it was green. My oldest (almost 4) said “ew green” I told him to just try it and he loved it. My middle son David loved it right off and kept wanting more. And my youngest Isaac is almost three months so he cant have any yet but when he can I hope he loves it. Oh and hubby enjoyed it too lol I want more
but have to wait til I get to go to the store (thursday) lol
Awesome! I knew they would love it!! What a great mom you are! Keep up the great work!
AMEN sista! I love my Green Smoothies too and this is a great recipe combination. I also find only using mango or banana or avocado is a great idea for the creaminess. If someone doesn’t like banana I advise avocado and again it’s a really mild flavour too
Yes, GirlonRaw, avo is a great substitute!!
I was looking online for different type of smoothies and came across the green smoothie OMG. I hate vegetables, but this sounded so good I had to go out and buy fruits, spinach and romaine which they said you should start with. I just made my first green smoothie today and loved it. I used spinach, bananas, mango, black cherries, little orange juice and water oh and added just a teaspoon of honey since I was not sure how sweet it was going to be since its my first one. I will be making these in the morning for my way to work, instead of my latte. I’ve also ordered a couple of recipe books.
Awesome Maria!! So glad you liked it, I see many more green smoothies in your future!!!
I was looking online for different type of smoothies and came across the green smoothie OMG. I hate vegetables, but this sounded so good I had to go out and buy fruits, spinach and romaine which they said you should start with. I just made my first green smoothie today and loved it. I used spinach, bananas, mango, black cherries, little orange juice and water oh and added just a teaspoon of honey since I was not sure how sweet it was going to be since its my first one. I will be making these in the morning for my way to work, instead of my latte. I’ve also ordered a couple of recipe books.
Oh absolutely. Trying to get my husband and kids to try it now. Wish me luck
Good Luck, they’ll love it!!
YUM!
GREAT blog, I love it for the colours, your energy and all the good ideas…tomorrow for breakfast I will have a green smoothie:-)))
sunyn smiles from tulipland!
Thanks so much for the kind words Jana!
xo
Linda, I just stumbled on your blog and I absolutely love it!! I am depserate to lose weight and get healthy again. I hate vegetables!! I know they’re good for you but I really hate them. However, because I want to get healthy and lose weight, I will give it a try. I will be going to the store right now for the ingredients and trying it in the morning.
it doesn’t say how much water, so I would love to know that before morning if possible. Thank you for this blog! I am in Austin also! cynthia
Hi Cynthia, just add enough water to blend, enjoy!!
Okay, I did try the green juice this morning for the first time and I liked it. I want to love it… so I’ll have to get “used to it” because that’s not usually my thing, but I want the benefits.
I also purchased your LocalLiving deal, so I’ll be meeting you and seeing you soon!
I can no longer say I hate vegetables – thank you Linda, you’ve changed my life! My first session with Linda was on June 14th and started drinking Green Smoothies on June 16th according to Linda’s suggestion. It took just a couple of times and I got used to them, and now I’m totally in love with them!! I have bought more spinach since June 16th than I have ever bought in my entire life… loving it… and can’t go without! I use two very large hanfuls of spinach for my smoothies and don’t even taste it! I don’t even need to use Stevia to sweeten it because it’s already sweet enough from the frozen fruit added, along with the bananas… especially when you use very ripe bananas! I hated spotted bananas (would never touch them), and now I can’t wait for them to get spotty for my smoothies because they add so much sweetness! I now love vegetables with my meals and my husband can’t believe this is coming from the person he used to urge to eat more vegetables, but never succeeded! Linda, I am loving our sessions together and what I am learning from you… I am amazed at myself and I have you to thank.
Cynthia,
You are a rock star and I am SO proud of you!! You have absolutely come a long way and I am so excited to help you to keep moving forward on your journey!!
I couldn’t have gotten this far without you Linda!
Thank you!
I just made my first green smoothie! Husband refused to try it until I told him it was called a Monster Smoothie. It seems I married a kid.
Haha, I think I’m going to do that when I make it at my boyfriends place! I love fruit smoothes and have been looking up recipes for these “Green Drinks” for a while. Has anyone had success trying to make them with the Magic Bullet (or the knock off versions of it?) if so, How much fruit, greens and stuff do you add?
Hi Ann,
Yes you can use the Magic Bullet; any blender will work
I usually use 1 banana, about 1 cup of frozen fruit, a handful or two of fresh baby spinach, and enough water to blend.
Enjoy!
This looks and sounds good really want to try it im really looking foward to see if this can help me lose some weight.How much peach and mango do I add ?
0.5 cup of each would be fine, you’re gonna love it!!
Can I use frozen spinach for this? The fresh stuff wilts on me three times as fast as I go to the grocery store. I’d think it would be okay, but I’ve heard something about frozen fruits and vegetables not being as healthy/vitamin packed/ nutritious…?
Hi Rose,
Fresh is always best!! I’ve never tried it with frozen spinach so if you do, let me know how it tastes!
I wash and freeze FRESH spinich. LOVE It. I can’t run to the store very day to keep the fresh on hand. I also throw anything in the freezer that is about to go bad and I always freeze my bananas.
I know I’m a little late to the question, but if you do a quick search you will find that most frozen veggies retain more vitamins than their older fresh counterparts (i.e. flash frozen spinach is probably much more full of nutrients than that stuff that has been in your fridge for three or four days). I make almost all of my “monster drinks” with frozen greens (the fresh stuff just doesn’t stay fresh long and I can’t go to the grocery store everyday with two small children and a deployed husband).
I do smoothies a lot too…my husband and I did a 3 week detox by Dr Junger who wrote the book Clean. We did the book version instead of the internet version and it was fantastic. Afterwards though, I started reading that when you juice veggies you shouldn’t mix them with fruit because of the different enzymes needed to digest it all. Do you know if that is true and if so is it the same for smoothies as well. It seemed a little crazy to me because we eat fruits and veggies together all the time, but I know it’s a lot of extra nutrients when you’re juicing/smoothieing.
No, there is no problem making juices/smoothies with fruit!! Enjoy!
So want to try, gonna have to wait until tomorrow though to go shopping
A little question though, is it possible to say bulk make this for a few days at a time? (I’m a smoothie novice, and have no idea about how long they last )
You can make your smoothie in advance. It should be good in the refrigerator for up to 24hrs
I’ve been drinking smoothies for the past couple weeks and already lost a few lbs. I’ve been using a banana, organic plain yogurt, vanilla soy milk, a little honey and my choice of frozen fruit.
But this green smoothie is intriguing me. Definitely going to try it out. Thanks for the recipe!
Your welcone Sashiko! Omitting the dairy will definitely help you loose weight faster
Heyyy! So how many times a week/day do you have to drink this lovely green drink in order to lose those nasty pounds? I’d really love to know!!!
Wilma,
You can have it everyday for breakfast, as a snack between meals, or a meal replacement if you’re on the go!
I was introduced to green smoothies in a raw “cooking” class a friend took me to. I didn’t like that one (too grassy) but I’ve had a lot of them since then that I love. I’ve come up with a couple of recipes for variations (on my blog) and I do, indeed, use frozen greens. (Another commenter asked about that.) The frozen greens work really well for me; I can only get decent fresh greens at Whole Foods but the store is far away and I can’t get there often. The local grocery has TERRIBLE fresh greens but they carry frozen, so that’s what I’ve started to use. Better frozen greens than no greens! The only problem now is the arguments with my husband- he likes to blend smoothies until they are smooth and runny, but I like my smoothies thick with chunks. (And if he’s in charge of the blender, he’s not stopping for anything until it’s the way he likes it- argh!!)
Oh, and try adding some blueberries to see the change in color, or, umm, don’t look; great anti-oxidants, but the color is less than appetizing when you mix green and blue. Tasty, just not visually appealing.
These look great! I’m a student and can’t afford loads of fresh fruit and veg (or at least, not as much as these would need and still have some for breakfast/lunch/dinner – I’m vegetarian) so I was wondering: can you use tinned peaches etc in juice instead? They, and frozen fruit/veg, are much cheaper so I was wondering if they would be good too? Thanks
Frozen fruits/veg would be fine Sophie but I would definitely avoid using canned. Here’s a link that may be helpful to you http://lindawagner.net/blog/2011/05/how-to-eat-healthy-in-college Good Luck!
Man im going to have to try this and soon. The green might throw people off but I think this looks delicious. What other fruits have you tried?
Hi Daniel, you can use any fruit u like!!! Have fun trying different combos!
My dad and I make “green” drinks- we put spinach, broccoli and asparagus. I kid you not, using a banana severely cuts out the asparagus/broccoli/spinach. Apples and oranges do wonders. We juice the veggies/fruits, then later add frozen berries and yogurt and blend!
Sounds delish Catie!! Thanks for sharing!
I add 1 T of ground flax seed. I have also used kefir as the liquid–frozen blueberries with blueberry kefir and kale, chard and lemon balm. Frozen strawberries with strawberry kefir and greens. Don’t forget mustard greens, turnip greens and even dandelion greens are supposed to be very nutritious. Carrot juice goes well with frozen mango. I also sometimes add 100% cranberry juice to red fruits. Red and green and blue don’t look nice together. I’ve not tried it yet, but I bet that broccoli sprouts (or other sprouts) would add a nutritious punch!
Love this recipe, so delicious! Thanks for posting it!
http://www.squidoo.com/the-dangers-of-msg-in-our-food
Thanks Nancy, so glad you like it!!
what if you don’t eat bananas?
Hi Christine,
If you don’t like bananas, just use more mango or any kind of fruit. You could even use avocado instead to give it a creamy texture!
I’ve been scrolling through the comments with this question in mind! I can’t stand the taste of bananas and my boyfriend is intolerant to them. Avocados to the rescue!
Thanks! I’m allergic to bananas and was wondering the same. Most smoothies have bananas as main ingredient!
yep, mangos make an excellent base and peaches are really nice too! You can actually use any fruit combo you like!
I love green smoothies. My friend and I add kale and celery to them, extra veggies!
awesome Michelle, I love kale too!
Going to start drinking this in the mornings.
I really want to cut back/cut out coffee all together.
I put too many sweeteners in it, and it’s really not healthy.
How much does this recipe make, roughly?
This recipe will make around 24-32oz. The perfect amount for breakfast or a snack!
mmmm Thanks for the tip this looks delicious cant wait to throw some acai in there!!
ahh! perfect for weight loss, while keeping a nutritional balance. can’t wait to incorporate these smoothies in to my diet!
Hi Emma, yes you will love them!
I’ve been drinking green smoothies for years & love them! My one-year-old twin sons drink them too. They’ve favorite version is in the form of a smoothie pop. =)
Great post–thanks!
Jennifer
Awesome Jennifer, what a great mom you are!!
I just stumbled on this and I love it! I recently brought my blender with me to college so I know on-the-go smoothies will be my thing during grad school. I love this idea! It looks so yummy- and if it fills you up, then even better!
How do I subscribe to your blog?
Oh and my main question…what on earth are those things on the straw???
Hi Luci,
So glad you like it!! The straws are made from hand-blown glass. The little dots are just colored glass that help keep the straws from rolling. This way they don’t roll off the counter and break!
If you would like to subscribe to this blog just enter your email address in the box at the upper right hand corner of the page
Thanks for stopping by!
would love to try this
Try it Elizabeth, you’ll love it!!
I hear that you can’t taste the spinach when blended! But if so, what are some alternative greens that I can use to satisfy this portion of the recipe?
Hi Vanessa,
Spinach really does have the most mild flavor but you can try any kind of green: romaine, green leaf lettuce, kale, parsley, chard, arugula…the possibilities are endless!
Great for refueling after a hardcore workout!
Yes, Drake, absolutely!!
I simply LOVE green smoothies. In our house they have been named “swamp smoothies” by my sisters. We use the banana base as well but instead of water we add light vanilla soy milk. Its a great way to get the added calcium and the vanilla takes the edge off any bitterness that’s added by berries or greens. I haven’t tried any other greens besides baby spinach but I will buy some kale to try next time I go shopping!!
awesome Alexis!!
why frozen fruit and not fresh ?
Hi Sulla,
Frozen fruit makes it creamier and provides a better flavor.
Plus there’s no need to wash, chop, peel, or add ice so makes it a lot faster and easier!
I just made this and it was VERY good!
Yay!! Katherine, so glad you liked it!
I don’t like spinach but I’m gonna try it anyways, looks good. (:
Hi Cierra,
Start with a small amount then build up from there. You won’t even taste it!
Someone mentioned ingredient cost. Mustard greens, lettuce, kale, etc are easy to grow in a pot or garden. Nutritious dandelion greens grow free all around, just be sure they’ve not been sprayed with pesticides. I also just tried adding 4-5 stevia leaves to my smoothie and these really sweetened it! BTW, Dr. Oz has a different, but great green smoothie recipe (serves 3-4):
2 apples (cored, but leave the skin on them)
2 BIG handfuls of spinach
1 medium cucumber
3 ribs/sticks of chopped celery (if you’re using Vita-mix, you only need to cut the celery rubs into thirds)
1/2 inch or teaspoon ginger root, peeled
1 bunch parsley
Juice of 1 lime
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Awesome Kris, thanks for posting this!! xo
Do you have any suggestions for a spinach substitution? I am allergic to all things spinach and spinach – like….kale, beet greens, etc. This drink looks so good!
Hi Kimberly,
Are you allergic to all green leafy vegetables? Could you substitute something like romaine lettuce instead?
Thanks for the link, I’m reading it now!
Very interesting! I’m going to have to try this – I would need to add some unflavored whey protein of course!
I love the green smoothie too! Being vegan I drink these alot. It’s a good way for me to sneak in some protein powder too, since I hate the protein powdery taste. Thanks for this recipe!
WOW.
I tried this, and it is just AMAZING!
although I didn’t use mango, because I didn’t have any ;P
Awesome Tash!! So glad you loved it!!
Love this idea! Sounds delicious…I have a question, though–in my part of the world, it is sometimes hard to find fresh spinach. Could frozen be used?
Hi Charlotte,
Yes, you could use frozen, although fresh is always best!
Enjoy!
My boss drinks green smoothies all the time and has lost a lot of weight – absolutely swears by them. (I think he is addicted and may turn into Shrek or the Hulk!)
His are rather a green slimey sludge colour though, and that puts me off. I may give it a go – perhaps with not too much green stuff.
Can you taste the spinach? I hate spinach, but so many people seem to love the recipe.
Hi Jemma,
You can’t taste the spinach, it gets masked by the taste of the fruit. If you are nervous, just try using a tiny amount at first and then build up as you get used to it, Enjoy!
If you want an extra green boost, my nutritionist recommended Very Green powder. I’m in love with this stuff. I get mine at Trader Joe’s. It has tons of good stuff in it, from broccoli to alfalfa sprouts, and a tablespoon gets you about a serving of veggies. It has a really mild flavor, I’ll sometimes still add a bit of spinach in with it too but will only use that when making smoothies for super picky little ones (or big ones…)
What fruits could you replace the mango and peaches with? I love veggies. I just don’t like most fruits/fruity tastes (I don’t like most fruits). If something like this may help me get a few servings of fruits in a day, that’d be great. How many servings would this be? I’d be the only one drinking it in my house and I don’t want to waste it. Would it still work if you stored whatever leftovers?
Shannon,
You can use any fruit you like, you could even make a blended salad if you prefer veggies. Green Smoothies will last about 24hrs in the fridge
Where do you get your cool straws?
Angela, the straws are great, right?!
I get mine at http://glassdharma.com/
The straws are so cool and I have stopped using plastic straws since they are so wasteful. I love glassdharma! Will be placing an order soon.
I just made it with orange juice instead of water. Is there any benefit or drawback to doing it that way? Am I adding or losing nutritional value? The one obvious downside was the brown color from the orange juice and spinach mixing instead of the pretty vibrant green in your photos.
Hi Mason,
Orange juice adds more calories and more sugar. I always stick with water, you can use stevia if you want to sweeten it up
Thank you so much for this!! I am absolutely hooked! Made my first one this morning and am now having my second one of the day – delish! I recently had gastric bypass surgery and have been craving fruits and veggies as those are the last foods allowed after the surgery because of the digestion process. This smoothie completely satisfies that craving and I have had no problems digesting it! I can’t believe how simple it is, yet so incredibly yummy. It also kept me satisfied for several hours throughout the day which is unusual after the surgery because the stomach is so small, one usually gets hungry every couple of hours. This is a new staple in my diet!
Hi Angela, so glad you are enjoying your smoothies!! One of the most important factors to feeling satisfied is having adequate minerals. Green Smoothies are LOADED with minerals so help to keep you full for hours!! Enjoy! xo
This green smoothie sounds awesome and nutritious I can’t wait to try it. I even love the idea of calling it a “Shrek Smoothie” so I can get me kids to drink it. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Your welcome Christine!!
Just ‘stumbledupon’ this green smoothie. Looks hmm.. interesting
I’ve never been one for fruit/veggie smoothies but the raves have me interested. What is your feeling on adding something like kefir to this? I mix most of my smoothies with kefir for a bump in probiotics and protein. Just curious. I’ve been struggling to lose weight (forEver) and so I’d be looking around for other ideas to do so in a healthy way.
Hi Kelly, you could add a small amount of Kefir if you like. Keeping the smoothie as simple as possible will help tremendously with weight loss!
i tried this today with 1 banana, a 1/2 c of frozen blueberries, 1/4 c orange juice & a handful of baby spinach. . . the color leaves a little to be desired (husband saw it and said omg what are you drinking?) but the taste is good
and much less calories than my normal smoothies!! (which included 1/2 c almond milk or skim milk and 1/4 c cottage cheese)
Awesome Toni! Don’t let the color fool you, Green Smoothies are delicious!!
Would adding a protein powder change the flavor too much? I think that with maybe egg white protein powder this could make a pretty decent meal replacement. What are your thoughts?
Hi Kaela,
You can add protein powder, I typically use hemp protein as it’s less acidic and easier to digest
So I just tried it and it is amazing! I used frozen bananas and it came out with a milkshake consistency. I wish I had known about it earlier! Perfect summer breakfast. Thank you!
So, I’d love to try this, but I’m allergic to bananas. Is there something else I could use as a base?
Thanks!
Hi Molly,
Mangos make a really nice base, ultimately you can just use a combo of any fruit you like! Enjoy!!
The recipe calls for a frozen peach and mango, will I be missing out on anything if I opt for the fresh version of these products? I’ve been drinking smoothies for about a week and this recipe sounds delicious! I’m defiantly going to try it!
yes, you can definitely use fresh! I like my smoothies nice and cold which is why I opt for frozen but I do use fresh fruit too, especially in the summer when there are so many amazing fruits in season!!
Thanks! I tried the recipe and it is defiantly one of my favorites, thanks for sharing it!
So glad you like it Kate!! xo
Are those Snails on the straw?
they are little circles of red glass to prevent the straw from rolling!
I made this for the first time this morning and as everyone has said “It was amazing!” Instead of plain water I used 0 calorie melon flavored vitamin water. I will definitely be making this again and again and again; and recommending it to all my health conscious family and friends. Thank you for sharing this great recipe. P.S. Can you tell me how many calories are in this smoothie if made exactly as written?
I stumbled upon this site about 3 weeks ago and have been drinking a Green smoothie everyday ever since. I definitely notice a big difference in my energy levels and overall, I feel much brighter and happier. I’ve added a couple different ingredients to your recipe though. I started adding a couple teaspoons of mint toothpaste to the smoothie as well as a dash of parmesan cheese! The toothpaste really gives the shake that minty freshness and parmesan just tastes amazing!!! I think everyone should give this a shot a find out for yourself. Thanks for turning me onto to this Linda. You Rock!!!
Erik, I realize that you are being sarcastic and totally mocking me but your comment made me laugh so hard!! Thank you for putting a smile on my face!
Linda, glad I could put a smile on your face! In all seriousness, I actually do drink the green smoothie every morning (minus the toothpaste and parmesan). I stick to the recipe you have posted and truly appreciate it. Starts my morning off right!
Another good one is spinach, kale, mixed berries, banana, kiwi and ground flaxseed…You taste the fruit more than the other ingredients. Can’t wait to try this one too for variety!
Looks delicious :”) the color does not bother me at all, will try definatelly when i have chance. i love bananas.
Are those snails on that straw?
no they are little circles of red glass to prevent the straw from rolling!
I thought it was snails too. I was quite certain!
So funny that so many of you thought they were snails! Would be really cute if they were!!
Loooove my smoothies! Add spirullina, organic fiber, flax seed to boost the goodness and I throw in a couple pitted dates for sweetness. Use ANY combination of fruits and veggies and enjoy! I prefer mine cold so I try to buy my fruit and prepare it before hand. Cutting it up and freeing . Then I can pull out my baggies and throw them in. Wonderful in the summer.
Hi Linda
This looks really great! I usually do a banana/chocolate/peanut butter smoothie but I know that I need to change it up if I want to have luck with weight loss. I find I’m most successful when I’m counting calories. Do you have an idea of how many calories would be in this smoothie? I’d probably halve the recipe as I use a magic bullet size blender.. Thanks!
If you want to lose weight, ditch the pb and add those GREENS!!!
Hey,
I had a question … is it somehow possible to enhance it’s longevity? I used to make these, but it’s not possible to drink the same batch after an hour. I would somehow want to have this for breakfast and then take to work for lunch time a well … suggestions?
If you keep it refrigerated it should last 24hrs!
I love green drinks! Thanks for the wonderful pictures!
I will definitely be sharing your sites with my clients!!
-Yu
This sounds good and I need to lose about 50 lbs. I quit smoking a couple years age and gained alot of weight from size 10 to 16
so I’m trying this. Thanks for the recipe.
don’t worry, quitting smoking is a huge goal! Congrats on that!
You’ll get back to size ten!
This looks great…with all fruit I bet it still tastes great too!
I also stumbledUpon this about 2 wks ago and have had 3-4 since.
I use a mixture of spinich, peaches, a little low fat yogurt (plain or vanilla), a dash of almond milk and any where from half a banana to 1.5 , and mine never looks as brightly colored as yours ( it tastes fantastic still but I am a little envious lol ) , any thoughts ? Mines more like a pea soup green.
Hi Sandy,
It’s probably the yogurt and almond milk that are affecting the color. I just use water, fruit, and greens. Also, the more spinach you use, the greener it will be!
I stumbledupon this as well and just had to try it. I threw in some flax seed and used coconut water. Yummy. I will be experimenting with different fruits to lower the banana flavor which I’m not a fan of.
Hi Jessica,
If you don’t like bananas you can use any other fruit. I really love mango, peaches, and/or pineapple as a base for my smoothies. If you are trying to stay away from too much sugar you can also use avocado.
I hope that helps!
I StumbledUpon this. It looks amazing but I’m allergic to bananas. Any ideas for a delicious potassium filled substitute?
Hi Amariah,
You can use any other fruit. I really love mango, peaches, and/or pineapple as a base for my smoothies. If you are trying to stay away from too much sugar you can also use avocado.
I hope that helps!
I have no doubt that if you do this, you will have gorgeous, gorgeous skin in a few weeks time. Once I ate tons of peaches all day every day because my mom had an overload (you know how it is when parents have a lot of something, they cram it on ya) and within two weeks time I had the most gorgeous, glowing complexion you could ever ask for.
Well if that’s true I won’t hesitate to try this out! I’m having a hard time with my complexion.
I just made my first green smoothie (I’m drinking it as I type this) and it is SO GOOD!! I LOVE spinach, but never thought about putting it into a smoothie with fruit! I think I have just found my new favorite drink!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Awesome Laura!!!
This looks so tasty! I’m such a kind in that I still hate eating spinach What better way to disguise it than in a smoothine!
I also love green smoothies – and so does my toddler! We drink one everyday, and they are usually very similar to your recipe above. I love that they are an easy to make and fast to clean up after meal that I don’t have to think about at all – great for busy moms!
Also, love your uplifting and informative blog… subscribing right after this post
Love and light
Thanks Jenni!! xo
Hi Linda, been making these smoothies for a year now. Where did you get your cute jar in the picture? thanks for the blog…
Hi Tania, The jar is actually an old pickle jar!!
I have a bad case of IBS and was wondering if that smoothie will help me out at all? It seems that everything I try new ends up being another painful trip to the bathroom.
Thanks,
KurlyD
Smoothies are fantastic for supporting healthy digestion!! Of course, it always depends on the individual but try 16oz for breakfast or anytime as a snack and see if you notice any improvement. Good Luck!
spinach and fruits ? did I read correctly ? and what beautiful pics…
Hi Gabrielle,
Yes, you read that correctly!! You won’t even taste the spinach. The flavor of baby spinach is really mild and once it’s blended with the sweet fruit you can’t taste it at all!! Try it and let me know what you think!!
You can find some interesting articles on calotor.com also you can find out how many calories you burn every day. Knowing this value will tell you how many calories you should in order to maintain weight, or how many calories you need to lose weight.
this is quite informative but will smoothies give same result as juice fasting would?tanks
Hi Debbie,
You asked “will smoothies give same result as juice fasting would?” It depends, what results would you be expecting? Weight loss, better digestion, more energy? If so, then yes, GS could support all of these things! Typically a GS “fast” would be a more gentle/less intense cleanse.
GS are incredibly nutritious and can be had anytime. Some people have done “smoothie fasts” where all they consume throughout the day are various green smoothies. Some people also opt to have smoothies for breakfast and lunch and then a large salad or veggie-based dinner. It all depends on what your goals are and what you’re trying to accomplish.
I hope this answers your question!
just made one and love it but….it wasnt as green as your picture so i was a little sad because i love that color. any advice?
Hi Callie,
If you want the smoothie to be more green just add more greens! I use a LOT of baby spinach (about 3 very large handfuls)!! Just keep in mind that some people will find the taste a little over powering at first. If you need to, start off slowly and then build up over time
Hello, I have been suffering with IBS for the last 12 years and I was hoping that this shake will help with that, will it? Please let me know!
Thank you,
Adobe Man
Smoothies are fantastic for supporting healthy digestion!! Try 16oz for breakfast and anytime as a snack, you will love the way they make you look and feel!!
Ok I’ll give it a try even though I’m not a big spinach eater. Thank you for your reply!
Thanks,
Adobe Man
Sounds delicious. Looking forward to my natural glow!
i just made it mine doesn’t look as green as yours but it is great! thanks:)
This looks delicious – I have a couple of questions.
First, if I wanted to add carrots, do you think they’d work in a blender, or would I have to juice them first?
Second, did you post the nutrition information and I missed it?
I used to blog about health and fitness, but my life got a little out of control – now I’m trying to get back to it…
Thank you so much!
i also love green smoothie
looks yummy. Do you have to use frozen fruits?
No, you don’t have to use frozen. I just like the creamy texture from frozen fruit, and the convenience as well!
WOW this looks amazing! Thank you for sharing.
Try adding some aloe vera to it. You can buy the sheaths in many supermarkets now.
It looks great…a refreshing drink for summer days
Fantastic Smoothie! Try adding just a bit of grapefruit it gives the smoothie just a hint of tart!
My husband & I love to juice! This smoothy looks yummy. It is amazing how great you feel when you juice! I love pineapple & beet juice…sounds weird, but it is so refreshing.
If you have a second check out http://www.moderninkmag.com – we feature creative & passionate people like you. Let us know if you are interested. I think people would love to hear about your approach to health & nutrition!
I love the idea of this, but I was just wondering if the quantities listed in your recipe are just for one person, or for more? I thought it would be a good idea to ask in case I made it and ended up with an enormous vat of smoothie.
The recipe listed will make about 32oz
Hi! I really want to try this for a quick breakfast, but I’m not much of a morning person… More of a “make the night before person.” Do you know if it will keep overnight? Or maybe, if it will keep for a couple days if I make a large batch of it?
Yes absolutely! Smoothies are typically good for about 24hrs in the refrigerator.
If you need to make several in advance just freeze them and then put in the fridge the night before to thaw out
Enjoy!
xo
I literally am sipping on my green smoothie right now! I love being able to play around with the ingredients.. How did you get yours to be such a vibrant green!? (I don’t really mind either way) Mine turned out to be a darker green. But I am already in love. I found this on stumbleupon.com and I just ran to the store to get ingredients!! YUM
Hi Vanessa, yay for green smoothies!! I add quite a bit of spinach to mine which makes it really vibrant and green!
fantastic blog. I actually learned new stuff from being here. Thanks!
Man that looks really good LOL. I started juicing a couple of months ago. I went on the 10 day Reboot juice fast just to infuse my body with nutrients and now I juice daily. I’m definitely going to try this recipe. I love spinach..especially since I found out all of the nutrients it contains. Thanks for posting this!
Thanks Jamal!! Behold, the power of green juice!!
Linda, I had my first smoothie today. I had to sub strawberries for the mango because I can’t find frozen mango at my grocery store. This is such qa great way to start the day. I feel like I have vitamin overload. Thanks so much for the idea!
i will try it out when i get home from college, an then i’ll come back and comment if i liked it, i think i’ll use mangos instead of bananas
I was a little leary about trying this but after reading this recipe I went to the store and bought the spinach and banana and some frozen fruit ( strawberries and raspberries). Although, it looks more like shreks mud hole than the beautiful green that you have pictured, it tasted great! I am thinking the color has to do with the fruits i chose? Anyways, thanks for the recipe it is a keeper!
Haha Ashley! Yes, you’ve got to stick to lighter colored fruits like mango, pineapple, peaches, pears, green grapes, etc. to get the bright green color. If you add anything red like berries it will be brown!! Glad you enjoyed it, they are delish!!
I LOVE these smoothies. I use Kale and Spinach in mine also! I first tried it with blueberries and was not surprised but a little disappointed at the dark color instead of the bright vibrant color from your photos. I tried your recipe to the T and it was beautiful and DELICIOUS. I have to mix mine in a bowl because I only have an emersion blender, but I use a bowl with a spout and pour it into my glass. I throw in all of my vitamins and herbs in the morning, takes the yuckiness out of swallowing!
Hi!
Someone posted this on pinterest and I had to hop over to check out the ingredients – it looks gorgeous and sounds delicious! One question, though: what are the brown things on the straw? Crazy q, I know, but my curiosity is killing me!
xox,
Susan
Hi Suzan, it’s ok, several other people have asked as well! I used a glass straw and the red circles are just glass “blobs” that are there so the straw can’t roll off the counter and break!
Enjoy your smoothies, you will love it!
I drink smoothies and liquid vitamins every day… I’m thinking I need a pretty glass straw, too!
Pinned and bookmarked this page so I can try this one later on this week. Great recipe!
-Tiffany
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I was just wondering if Collard greens were ok to use. I mean I am sure they don’t hurt anything but do they have good nutritional value? I accidentally bought them instead of kale, oops. Also my store has spinach bundles, like full grown spinach not baby spinach, is this good in nutrition also?
Hi Casey,
You can try collards. I don’y particularly like them in my smoothies but I know some people who use them all the time. It really is a personal taste preference so just try it and let me know what you think!
I used collard greens because it was what I had and I liked it. This was my first time making this smoothie so I didn’t have anything to compare it too but I liked it and can’t wait to try spinach or kale.
Linda, just came across your blog. Beautiful blog!! And this smoothie … I had this smoothie a few times bought from Wholefoods. Taste really yummy although it’s green. My four year old also loves it. Now I know I can make it at home to. Thanks for the blog!!
I just stumbled across this on pintrest and had my husband run straight to the store! It turned out so good!!! I loved this smoothie!!!! Thank you! I can’t wait to see what the rest of your blog is like!!!
Linda, is there another fruit I can use for the base? I’m allergic to bananas, but this smoothie sounds amazing!
you can use any fruit you want!
Sarah,
You can use any combination of fruit. Mango, peaches, apples, berries, ect! You could even use avocado as a base if you like!
Would this be okay to only eat for breakfast? i have trouble finding something to eat for breakfast..i usually get nausea’s.
Molly, green smoothies are the PERFECT breakfast!!
hey was just wondering if yogurt could be added instead of water to add some dairy and extra calcium? or does that take away from it?
Hi Maggie,
I am a big believer of proper food combing so I wouldn’t add any dairy to the smoothie – esp for weight loss purposes. If you want to add almond milk that would be fine but the smoothie is delicious and EXTREMELY nutritious without it!!
A friend of mine was telling me about the benefits of green smoothies, and I found your recipe when googling. I sliced up the banana and froze that too, which seems to make a more thick and frozen treat. And on my friend’s advice, I used coconut water instead of plain water. It was awesome! I sipped it during my morning commute, and by the time I arrived at the office I had so much energy that I scared my coworkers! LOL
I found this on Pinterest last night and decided to give it a try this morning. Wow! I don’t really care for veggies or fruit much, but I have to say, this smoothie is soooo goood! I am impressed! I used one handful of frozen spinach, frozen banana, frozen mango that I had pureed & froze and pineapple slices with coconut water. I added some Fiber One vanilla yogurt to it as well. It’s a great way for me to get in my fruit & veggies for the day! It came out bright green just like your photo! This is now going to be a staple for me daily. I’ll add more spinach to it tomorrow to see if I can taste any difference. I’m a Weight Watcher and I hardly ever get all my fruit& veggies in on a daily basis.
Thanks for this recipe!
Just wondering, what setting of the blender do you use? I made one this morning, and it was delicious but it was very thick and I almost couldn’t handle the consistency, What would you recommend to make it thinner?
Thanks!
I use a VitaMix but if you want a thinner consistency try adding a little more water to thin it out
I thought the green smoothie was fabulous! Loved the taste and how I felt. I was craving one the next few days!
Is there anything I can add or eat additionally that will provide more energy?! I always find myself running out of steam.
Thanks! Great blog too!
I’m shocked at how delicious this is. Day One of Green Smoothie for breakfast and Chocolate Banana Smoothie for a snack: love it!
I was linked to your page through Pinterest and I love your site. You are very informative. My grocery list yesterday consisted of alot of your ingredients. I blended up the Green Smoothie last night. After reading everyone’s comments I was expecting the bright green “monster” smoothie. I was disappointed because mine came out very much puke green color and the texture was weird. I’m not sure if I used too much spinach or didn’t blend the ingredients in the right order. I was thinking for the next time I make it that I’ll blend the water and spinach up first and add the rest of the fruit afterwards. The smoothie was very filling. I replaced breakfast with it this morning. Have you ever had this result? I’m going to try it again tomorrow but with the berry mix.
Thank you for your time.
As long as you follow the recipe exactly as it is written it will be bright green. Lighter fruits like bananas, mango, peaches, green grapes and pineapple with greens will create the bright green color. If you add berries or any colored fruit the color will be brown. There is no need to blend the spinach first. If the texture was not smooth then you need to blend longer. I use a high speed VitaMix blender. If you don’t have a high speed blender make sure that you blend long enough so that everything is blended thouroughly. I hope that helps!
Hi, I was wondering if anyone has tried freezing the smoothie itself, not just the ingredients? I live in a college dorm and don’t have a blender yet, but I can still make up a big batch at my mom’s house on weekends (that is, if I can find a way to preserve them for longer than 24 hours). This sounds like a great breakfast idea for a full time student on the run. Thanks!
Yes, you can absolutely freeze ahead of time!
Loving the green smoothie! I’ve been making them and freezing them to have one for my snack during the day! Took one out of the freezer yesterday afternoon and thawed it just enough to eat with a spoon! Yummy! Filling & energizing! So glad to have found this site! Thanks!
I just had my first GS…..WOW!!! I think this will be my new breakfast on the go!! My 4yr old even liked the “shrek smoothie”. Can this also a meal supplement….replace my lunch too? That’s for a healthy smoothie receipe!!!
Sure, you can have a green smoothie for lunch too!
Love the green smoothies! Had my first one today! Banana, peaches, and spinach. Trying strawberries tomorrow. Ready to lose weight and be healthier!! I will be trying your other recipes also!!
Thanks!!!!!
Pinned this on pinterest. Kicking myself I didn’t buy spinach tonight (shouldn’t have listened to the bf) got kale instead but saving that for something else. Going food shopping this weekend, can’t wait to try it.
This may be a silly question, but are you using fresh spinach leaves or frozen spinach?
Fresh, always fresh!!
Can you use frozen spinach though and get the same results? I had to buy frozen instead of fresh! :S
I’ve never tried frozen…so let me know!
Wish I had a vitamix! I’m keeping my eye out for a good used one. One thing of note about spinach…. My neighbor bought a big bag of spinach and a live baby frog hopped out of it. Don’t forget to sort our you could have a gremlin green shake!
THANK YOU!! My 4 year old son who loves fruit but is not big on veggies (except carrots) drank this sucker down & asked for seconds! Then I actually had to tell him “that’s enough spinach for tonight!” This makes my heart sing!
Oh, p.s., instead of water I used just maybe 1/4 cup of light vanilla soy milk.
How many calories are in the green smoothie?
Does the fruit have to be frozen? I can find frozen peaches, but not frozen mango at my local grocery store.
No the fruit can be fresh or frozen. I prefer frozen because it provides a nice smooth texture and is easier to keep on hand.
Enjoy!
What do you think about adding a scoop of protein powder to the Green Smoothie?
That’s fine, I would use a plant based protein like hemp or pea.
What about soy protein?
Can you use anything other than banana’s? I can’t stand the smell or texture of bananas. Also can you give the exact nutriant values?
You can use any fruit you like. Literally, ANY fruit! Mangos and peaches are excellent!
If you need to know exact nutrient values just plug your ingredients into an online program like fitday.com
I have to say though, Linda, if you use strawberries the color will not be nearly as pretty
Made it an ugly brownish green. So I try to stick to more colorless fruits like pineapple, mangoes, etc…..
That’s right, you have to use lighter colored fruit if your want the bright green color; mangoes, peaches, pineapple, green apples, pear, green grapes, ect!
Oops, sorry, that was for Allison
Just found your blog through pintrest & I’m in love! We do green smoothies as well, my 2 year old son is anemic & it seemed the easiest way to get iron in him and I swear we’ve all had less colds/sniffles so far this year as well. I make a concentrate by blending up my spinach with berries (makes it deep purple for those that have the issue with the color) & freeze it in ice cube trays, then I use a handful of cubes & whatever fruit I have on hand, some ice & water in my Magic Bullet. So helpful for busy out the door mornings! My 4 year old daughter won’t drink the smoothies but I freeze it into popscicle forms & she loves that she gets to have one for breakfast! I look forward to reading more on here!!
I have a question…what is that black ball inside of the straw? Just curious. It looks like it would clog up the straw. I can’t wait to try this tomorrow!
it’s actually on the outside of the straw. It’s a red glass blog that keeps it from slipping!
This looks great. I’m allergic to bananas though – what can i replace these with?
I make green smoothies every day for breakfast. Started out using spinach, but now I’ve switched to kale! It has a little stronger flavor, so you definitely have to get used to it. I also put a scoop of vanilla protein powder in my smoothies. In the autumn spirit, I’ve been substituting about a 1/2 cup pure pumpkin in place of frozen fruit. Add a little cinnamon and some pumpkin pie spice and it is SO good!! The pumpkin makes it really creamy, too. Give it a try!
I was curious as to how many calories are in the smoothie?
What exactly about the smoothie promotes weight loss?
I’m not a doctor, nor a health food genius, but I’m going to go ahead and guess that it’s the fresh veggie, fruit, water, (flaxseed in mine) and the lack of sugar, oil or fat in the smoothie. Having this instead of something like a java chip frapp and muffin from starbucks is way better for you and keeps you full longer.
Linda,
I also found your site through Pinterest and I am so excited to drink my Green Smoothie in the AM. I made it tonight (soooo not a morning person) and stuck it in the freezer to grab and go. I already had some frozen berries, so mine didn’t come out the lovely green color, but it still tasted great! I am planning a trip to my bulk store for big bags of frozen fruit and grapes to freeze. Your site is really inspiring, and I am very glad to have found it!
Hey Linda,
My friend and I are really considering trying the Green Smoothie and we were just wondering how many times you recommend taking the smoother a day?
how much water do you add in the smoothie? i’m excited to try it!
how much water do you add in the smoothie? I am so excited to try it!
Hey!
I also found you through Pinterest (re-pinned with a link to your blog)
I have to say I balked at first seeing spinach in a smoothie, but I am trying to lose weight, so I thought I’d give it a try!
I LOVE IT!! Mine was tweaked a bit, we have starwberries and blueberries frozen that we grew, and I bought the fresh spinach (great deal at Sam’s, $3 for a big 1lb container of spinach) and got frozen peaches and pineapple. I also added 2 scoops of flaxseed.
This will definitely be on my menu from now on! Thanks for the recipe!!
I made this with berries so it had a more appealing color (and I got the fruit on sale too) it was delicious. My $20 blender was struggling and my immersion blender failed, but it is so good it’s worth upgrading to a better machine+ as someone mentioned adding some OJ would make it easier to blend. This is my weekly breakfast plan…waking up the neighbors! Thanks!
I see that the recipe makes 32 oz? Is this one serving size and should we drink the it only once a day or is it okay to split up into two meals or other snacks for weight loss?
Thanks!
I also came here via Pinterest and figured I’d pop in and answer everyone’s questions about calories. I plugged in the “recipe” in the post (using the full 2 bananas) on MyPlate and got
Calories Fat Cholesterol Sodium Carbs Sugar Fiber Protein
342 0g 0mg 25mg 88g 46g 8g 3g
One banana instead of two cuts out 121 calories (and, naturally, this is all approximate)
Here’s the Myplate recipe link, so you can track this food if you use Livestrong: http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/meals/diosabellissima/green-smoothie-linda-wagner/#ixzz1ez8DWgMP
I have a three week old, and I am nursing. Does anyone know enough about the ingredients to know if this will be okay for my daughter in my milk? I know that it is all natural, but I’ve been told to avoid some natural things, and am trying to avoid things that would promote gas.
Thank you in advance!
This would be a great nutritional addition for you nursing. Some babies are sensitive to what Mommy eats while nursing so as with everything just pay attention to any changes with your baby. I know from nursing 2 kiddos that nursing can really take a toll on you if you don’t get the proper nutrition. I also know it’s really hard to do this with a little one and all the work that takes. A green smoothie is an easy way for Mommy to take care of herself and pass on the benefits to baby!
Jennifer, yes!! So great for nursing mom and babies and a great introduction to solid foods for baby as well!!
how many calories are in the green smoothie, i love it by the way!
I came across this post a few weeks ago and was enchanted by the bright green smoothie. I fell in love when I made my first one. Now my boyfriend and I have a smoothie 3-4 times a week and we’ve turned other family members onto it as well. Add a little orange juice to it and it gives it a little kick of fruitiness! Love it!
I decided to incorporate spinach into my regular smoothie recipe, which is awesome! I was shocked that it was still so good. I use non-fat plain yogurt, banana, strawberries, and peaches in mine….and of course now a handful of spinach. Love it! Thanks for the idea.
i found this site some time ago and thought i would give this recipe a try since i am a huge fan of spinach. This recipe takes the cake from any other green machine recipe! i love it!!!! my co-workers and i are trying a healthier way of living and i introduced this to them. some were skeptical at first but fell in love at first sip. i follow your recipe to the “T”, but since i have been under the weather with a cold, i do one part water and one part OJ just for some added Vitamin C. Thanks for sharing this. It is one of the great wonders of the world. i swear by it! Lol!
Btw, we call it our Princess Fiona smoothie since it bright green and gives us energy. Also said to give you great skin (due to the liquid spinach and all the vitamins).
Last but not least, i have a 10 year old daughter and she requests this smoothie every morning on her way to school. gotta love it!
OMG!!! This is the best smoothie ever! Thank you so much … I tried it with strawberries and it was the BOMB!!! This will be a part of my daily routine and hopefully I can ditch the coffee.
I combine spinach and gala or fiji apple(skin off). Perfect combo! Sometimes I will throw mango or blackberries in it.
I make a smoothie very similar to this nearly everyday. Instead of water and ice I add Simply brand orange/mango juice and also about a 1/3 cup of plain greek yogurt and frozen pineapple chunks. The juice and yogurt keep the smoothie from getting watered down and give it a creamier texture. Try it out!
Sounds good Mandy, just a side note: if you are aiming for weight loss, the juice adds a lot of extra calories and sugar which will promote yeast/candida in the body. The combo of proteins in the yogurt plus fruit can also promote candida! Just beware of that since candida can really slow or even stop weight loss!
I made this today after I found it on Pinterest! It is wonderful! Thank you! My 2 year old daughter liked it too!
I’m wondering how this would be with spinach, banana, some cocoa powder and a little peppermint oil. A little honey would make it sweeter, but might not need it. I could see that taking care of a milkshake craving.
How many times a day do you drink it? I was thinking once in the morning but just curious. I was gonig to go shopping tomorrow and get the ingredients.
I also saw this on Pintrest! I tried it today using strawberries and blueberries instead of the mango and peaches. Delicious!!!! Thank you!!
Found this via Pinterst…. had to make it. I love it!!!! I will be making this every day.
Found you via Pinterest…. Just tried your green smoothie (I used coconut water though) IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! thank you!
Found this through StumbleUpon and tried it this morning (with Bananas, blueberries, raspberries and baby spinach). Absolutely loved it! It gave me enough energy to want to start exercising again. I have been trying to lose weight since May and when I got back to school I let my weight loss slide. This is so easy to make that I know when I go back to school in January, I will be able to continue. Thanks so much for sharing Linda and your blog is AWESOME. Definitely going to subscribe!
Hi Linda! Love your blog, I found it about two weeks ago and I’ve already tried the Green smoothies and the Stewp! I love both. I do have a question though. I’ve been drinking the Green smoothies for about two weeks now, and while drinking one at work the other day, I had a customer tell me I’d never lose weight with the drink because of all the carbs in bananas, apples, and pineapples. (I’ve been playing with the recipe). Is that true? Should I add more things like strawberries to limit carbs? Thanks a ton! Keep up the awesome blog! Oh, and btw the Green smoothies and stewp are making me feel great!
Hi Amanda,
Yes, there is more to weight loss than just green smoothies alone, however, the “carbs” from the fruit are not going to keep you from losing. In fact, I have had numerous clients who saw results from the green smoothies alone without any other changes. They are such a powerful tool for remineralizaton in the body. This plays such an important role not just in our overall health but in our mood, cravings, and energy levels as well. I’m so happy you are noticing those changes!! Having a green smoothie for breakfast and snacks will help tremendously with your weight loss efforts but clean eating at the rest of your meals is also crucial! Take a look at the recipes section for ideas! xo
Wow it was so tasty! I have a feeling I put too many blueberries and mixed berries though because mine turned completely purple and not green at all (even with two handfuls of spinach). However, I’m not discouraged and I’m sure I just need less fruit since I guesstimated in the first place.
My one question would be: since I am a collegiate athlete, would this be healthful as a meal by itself for a very active person, or more like a snack before/after? Being so active can make me very hungry, and I’m afraid if I just had this I wouldn’t be satisfied. Any thoughts?
I am going to give these green smoothies a try. I am a professional artist. I was going strong painting till mid December then no painting! So maybe I could use some extra nutrients. It is worth a try. I will let you know if it gets me holding a brush again!
Buy Art From Women Painters!
I made my first green smoothie this morning, and I think it’s awesome. I’m a high school student and have been looking for an energizing alternative to coffee. This is perfect!
Tried my 1st green smoothie today and gave one to all 4 of my kids! they all loved it i’m so motivated we are going to make this a daily must for our family! THANK YOU
Can’t wait to try this! Bought all the ingredients today. Do you only really drink it in the morning?? Also, since you all seem to drink it daily, would it work to make a big batch one day and have it for several? Just wondering. I would probably still make it daily:) Thanks!!
Jenn, the smoothies will last about 24hrs in the fridge and yes, you can enjoy them every day!
Would this smoothie be good for diabetics?
I would use 1 avocado, 1-2 handfuls spinach, 1 cup berries, NuNaturals stevia to taste and water
Do you add protein powder to your smoothies???
Personally, I don’t but you can if you want to. I would go with a plant based protein like hemp or pea. I don’t recommend soy or whey. Vega is a great brand to try and available at your local health food store
I tried making it this morning…. do you use fresh spinach? Mine is still really chunky.. more like a smoothy salad, ha ha. and I cant get the color
I love the green! I used 1 banana, two handfuls of spinach and maybe a cup of fruit and of course water. Any suggestions?
Yes, I always use fresh spinach. If your smoothie is still chunky, you need to blend longer!! I use a high speed blender called VitaMix, it will change your life!! But any blender, even a $25 Hamilton Beach blender will do the job! Just make sure you blend it long enough so that you get a creamy texture!
Also, the color will depend on the type of fruit you use. Only light fruits will give you green color ie mangos, pears, pineapple, green apple, green grapes, peaches, etc. If you use berries or any darker colored fruits the smoothie will turn brownish. Still delish but just no the same bright green.
Linda, this smoothie is amazing. I haven’t been able to make the exact color yet but I am trying! How much water do you think you add? I seem to be adding 2 cups at least and then I think its a bit watered down. Is there something I am missing or a better way to be able to blend it?
I typically use about a cup of water, maybe even less? Just add enough so it will blend but no more, otherwise you will have that watery consistency!
I just have to say…I was SUPER skeptical about this smoothie…how could it possibly taste good with spinach in it, and would I even notice a difference after adding them into my health routine? Well, first of all, my two girls can NOT get enough of them…they beg for green smoothies. I was afraid they would scoff at the color…just the opposite! So now, I send my first grader to school with a belly full of spinach instead of sugary cereal…win! Secondly, my skin has NEVER looked better…no more breakouts (at ALL, I mean not ONE), my skin tone is brighter and just overall, prettier, if I do say so myself
Now this one really amazed me…my morning coffee intake has gone from 4-5 cups a day down to MAYBE one…I often don’t even finish the one. Best part of all, the results were almost instant..we’ve only been drinking the smoothies a few weeks! I would HIGHLY recommend 
I just had to share your comment on my FB page!! So awesome!! If the gorgeous skin isn’t reason enough to make the switch to green smoothies, I don’t know what is!!! Kids DO love the smoothies, no one ever wants to believe that but they do, they actually BEG for them!! Thank you for your wonderful comment Erin, you made my day!! xo
ive been drinking something close to this for a few days , it is really yummy! however , i cant have banana , what is toher good subsitute ? i use soy milk, orange juice and spinach only . what else would you suggest to add on to make it more filling ?
To Kylie
If you can’t do banana, you could try protein or fiber powders. You could also do other frozen fruits like pineapple, mango or melon. Or even yogurt or frozen yogurt to thicken it up. Also, have you tried Almond milk? In my opinion it’s a better lower calorie milk alternative. Just a thought. If you have a juicer, I’d toss in some juiced carrots, celery etc too (they don’t do as well in the blender alone).
I addes 2 Cuties (baby oranges) and that made the taste all the better. I have my family and friends hooked too.
This recipe has changed my life forever! Your blog is FANTASTIC and I am so glad I found you through Pinterest. I have created a link to you on my blog on my post today, come check it out!
http://tipsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/2012/01/pinterest-kitchen-week-6.html
Awesome Robyn!!! Thank you so much for sharing and I’m so glad this recipe is a life changer for you!! xo
Can you give the nutritional information for the green smoothie if we make it just like it is listed here? I tried it and we love it!!
Thanks so much
Hi April, you can plug all the ingredients into a free online calculator like fitday.com
April, I don’t ever worry about calories! When you’re eating whole foods, especially raw unprocessed fruits and vegetables, you don’t have to!! That’s what is SO LIBERATING about it!! If you must know, you can use an online calculator like fitday.com but know that those details don’t matter when you’re eating whole foods! I go into a lot more detail about this in my one-on-one sessions if you’re interested in learning and understanding more
I made this last night and left it in the fridge to drink this morning. I LOVED it! It will definitely become a regular addition to my day. I’m wondering though if you have the breakdown of nutritional content (calories, carbs, protein, fat)?
Hi Erin,
I don’t ever worry about calories! When you’re eating whole foods, especially raw unprocessed fruits and vegetables, you don’t have to!! That’s what is SO LIBERATING about it!! If you must know, you can use an online calculator like fitday.com but know that those details don’t matter when you’re eating whole foods! I go into a lot more detail about this in my one-on-one sessions if you’re interested in learning and understanding more
Picked up all the ingredients today. Going to swap my addiction to peppermint mochas with this green smoothie!!!! I was hoping you can tell me ( and i apologize if this was covered in previous comments, didn’t have a chance to read them all) could you freeze all the ingredients in a ziploc bag and then just pull one out each day? and also, would you happen to have the nutritional info to go with the recipe.. just curious to see what and how much of everything is in it!! thank you!!!!
Veronica, yes you can freeze!
I don’t ever worry about calories! When you’re eating whole foods, especially raw unprocessed fruits and vegetables, you don’t have to!! That’s what is SO LIBERATING about it!! If you must know, you can use an online calculator like fitday.com but know that those details don’t matter when you’re eating whole foods! I go into a lot more detail about this in my one-on-one sessions if you’re interested in learning and understanding more
oh no no i didn’t mean calories.. i meant nutrient wise… i know spinach is a powerhouse.. so i am sure it covers your daily requirements for pretty much everything lol
Hi I am new to your blog, found some of your recipes for smoothies on Pinterest and I had a question, if I am out of mango and peaches and substitute 1 cup of strawberries is that okay? Also on some of your other recipes it calls for parsley and I HATE parsley, could I sub spinach instead?
Thank you! Love your blog!
Cindy
Hi Cindy!
Yes & Yes!! If you use strawberries, the color will not be bright green as it is in the pic but it will still taste delicious!!
Great thank you so much!!!
Thanks for posting this!! Can someone tell me the exact amount of water to use or a round about estimate in measurements? Like 1/2 cup? etc? I’m a weirdo of sorts and like to know more of an exact amount, not “add enough water to blend” lol….I stress out about such as that, that i may add to much or not enough. I also plan on maybe using skim milk in place of the water….anyways..thanks for a wonderful blog and recipe..I have all the ingredients, now just awaiting an answer about the water amount. God Bless
…Calllie
Callie,
Try using 1 cup of water. You can always add more if it won’t blend. I wouldn’t recommend using skim milk. Fruits and animal proteins do not digest well together and you will lose the benefits of the smoothie by adding dairy. Just stick with the water, it will still be delicious!
I’m glad I saw this.. I was using milk to get added dairy in my diet b/c I don’t drink a lot of milk but good to know that you don’t recommend combining it with the fruit. Thanks!
Linda…..Thank you so much for your quick response. wow, I would’ve never guess one full cup of water so thanks a bunch for telling me
I didn’t know about the digestion thing, I’m not a healthy person at all, way over weight. I’ve always known the basics, more fruits and veggies and exercise to lose weight but not anything in depth. This was the only part of your blog (that I found via pinterest) I had read, other than the other version of this green smoothie, to change the color. But, while awaiting a response I was so excited to see the juicing recipes!!! My hubby bought me juicer (jack lalane pro) when I was pregnant with our youngest son (18 months old) because I craved tomato-y type juices like v8 but because the store bought stuff was so high in sodium and my blood pressure ran high during my pregnancy, the doctor told me to quit drinking it so we got the juicer (which i had been wanting for a while after seeing the infomercials, lol)…needless to say…after the pregnancy, i’ve not used it but MAYBE once. I have no will power to speak of and I’m getting older (35, this may) and I know I need a more healthy lifestyle. I love fruits and veggies and i LOVE juice AND smoothie type drinks, so when I saw that vibrant green color of the smoothie on pinterest, it sparked an inner health kick, if you will, for me to TRY to get healthy. I LOVE spinach and i’m excited about the first step of me trying to get healthy. I have absolutely no energy to the point the doctors are running tests to find out why so my plan is to just start with replacing one meal a day with this smoothie and a little exercise and then from there, who knows…but i HAVE to START somewhere. After finding this recipe and blog, i went two days later and purchased a 600 watt blender so i would be able to make this recipe. I say 600 watt because I was wanting the highest wattage possible for all that grinding and i couldn’t afford the ninja one that was 900 watts at walmart but lucked up and found a digital GE 600 watt blender around 40 dollars. I know, I know, I talk a lot but I just wanted to say THANK YOU for igniting the flame for me to begin my journey to get healthy. Be Blessed my new found friend!! 
<3
Just made this for the first time and it is, indeed, better than expected as so many others have said. I did use kale instead of spinach.
I was on a “green juice” kick last year and juiced 2-3 greens (much more than a handful of each), 2 apples, and a lemon everyday.
Question: What’s better? Juicing or blending? Any pros/cons to either?
Found this post from a link in Lauren Conrad’s blog… love this! Cannot wait to try it as soon as I get home from work today!
This sounds easy to make! My dad makes green smoothies but uses nopales (cacti) he adds orange juice or whatever fruit he has at hand, sometimes pineapple. He started drinking them a couple years ago because he round out he had diabetes and wanted to be healthier. He no longer has any symptoms of diabetes!
What can I do to replace the bananas? I love the look of this recipe, but I’m allergic to bananas! Thanks!
Hi Carla,
You can substitute any other fruit; pineapple, green grapes, or peeled clementines would be lovely!! If you like a creamy consistency you could also use coconut meat/powder/flakes or avocado
You’re a complete knock off of ‘Oh She Glows’.
Hi Sarah, Thank you for stopping by. I’m curious, what about me is a knock off? The Green Smoothie? Other than a shared passion for inspiring others to live healthy lives, how am I a copy of Oh She Glows?
I’ve looked at her site and while we both have “healthy living” blogs, we are in fact, quite different. She is a vegan which I am not. She also uses tofu abundantly in her recipes. I, however, strongly discourage the use of soy as it is extremely estrogenic and is known to aggravate hormonal, digestive, AND thyroid issues. With the rampant instances of hormonal cancers and illnesses in our society I steer clear of anything that could possibly upset this delicate balance in the body. She also uses whole grains in abundance where I feel that, especially women, should use in very small quantities. I promote a vegetable-centric diet, meaning predominantly vegetables – not considerable amounts of grains, soy, or processed food replacements. Anyone can be a vegan or vegetarian but only those that focus on an abundance of mineral dense vegetable foods in the diet will experience the health benefits that come along with a truly alkaline body.
Perhaps you are referring to the Green Smoothie as a knock off? No one invented the green smoothie, in fact if anyone did “invent” them it was the raw foodists of which I have followed for years and am very familiar. Shazzie and Victoria Boutenkou have been making green smoothies and sharing them with the world online and in their books since 2000, way before Oh She Glows even existed.
The reason I am sending this long response to your comment is because I want to remind you that the message and desire to HELP people is what is TRULY IMPORTANT. I am not a knock off, I don’t follow Oh She Glows simply because I don’t follow the same dietary principles that she does. I think what she and thousands of other healthy living sites online do is absolutely wonderful because she/they are working to inspire others to live healthier lives. That is the most important thing. Instead of using our energy to put people down we should be focusing our energy on lifting others up. My mission is to help others find physical, emotional health by sharing my knowledge, recipes, and ideas and doing my best to continually inspire others. I’ve been in dark places, food and nutrition is what got me out. That’s MY MESSAGE and that is the message I will continue to share
I love your blog Linda! The green smoothie recipe I came across on your site inspired me so much, that I ran to the library and have been devouring books on eating raw ever since. (Although I know you don’t eat a solely raw diet). Victoria Boutenkou and her family have some of my favorite books. I also really love Raw Food by Erica Palmcrantz and Irmela Lilja. I’ve slowly started this diet into my life in mid December and as of today I’ve lost 11 pounds. I feel amazing, and not in the fad diet kind of way. My skin is better, I’m never hungry and I can feel my healthiness inside and out. I watched the video “Sick, Fat and Nearly Dead” on Hulu last Saturday and found it very moving. Between that and your blog I would love to start a Juice Feast very soon. Your list of recipes will be very helpful. I find your site very uplifting and fun; I check it almost every day. I love that you are truly here to help others and not just make money off of it. Thank you for your blog, I love it!
Sounds like you are doing great Amanda!! I am so glad you are finding inspiration here!! Lots of love to you!! xo
I love this response. It is true!. Blogging is a way to share your own experience, to get support, or inspire others, or whatever the reason. Obviously people love your blog! Thank you for the ideas!
Thank you Mandy
Found this TASTY smoothie on Pinterest this past Sunday AM; I’ve already made this smoothie twice in 3 days, both as post-workout drinks. I added in a scoop of vanilla whey protein powder after first tasting it… I wish the protein powder didn’t change the delicious flavor of this smoothie so much, but alas I still gobbled it up. Any suggestions for a “complimentary” protein booster??
I have a quick question..
Can the banana’s be substituted for another fruit? I’m allergic to them.
Thanks!
Yes, any fruit is fine!!
Is is ok to add some protein powder to the smoothie?
It is ok but certainly not necessary
I found it a tiny bit tart, but I only used one banana. It’s more of a sludgy green color than bright green. It’s not bad, though. I will probably use two bananas next time.
If you want the smoothie to be BRIGHT green as pictured, use only lighter colored fruits like pineapple, green grapes, kiwi, green apples, yellow raspberries, pear, orange, etc. If you add darker fruits like strawberries, cherries, etc your smoothie will turn out to be more of a brown color – still DELICIOUS, just not as vibrantly green as in the pictures above.
Do you recommend using protein powders? If so, Is there a particular one that you recommend? I use EAS whey protein sometimes but didn’t know if iherb offered a better one. I LOVE your website! I’ve shared it with many friends and will continue to do so. Thanks for all the knowledge and inspiration!!
Would it be ok to add a tablespoon of coconut oil? I’ve been hearing a lot about its benefits lately
Thanks!
sure!
I made Green Monster smoothies for breakfast this morning for myself, my 6-yr-old daughter and my 5-yr-old son. My son is notorious for taking one look at something and declaring he doesn’t like it – before he’s even tried it. Surprise, surprise, he decided he didn’t like the smoothie as soon as I handed it to him. I told him to just try it–I promised he’d like it. I turned back to do the dishes and before I knew it, he was asking if he could have more Green Monster. Shocked, I asked if he had finished it. He begrudgingly answered, “Yeah…I kinda love it.” SCORE!
Oh, and by the way, we’ve decided {since my son is so beating the “bad guys”} that when you finish your smoothie you get to declare that you’ve “Killed the Monster!”
AWESOME!!
I really want to make this but only have the magic bullet single servings – how much would I need of each ingredient to make one glass??
No idea what the size of the magic bullet is, just try cutting the recipe in half. It’s all about improvising and experimenting!! That’s the fun of it! xo
Hey linda.
i love your green smoothie recipe.
but i have one question. my mom tells me that eating bananas everyday is bad because of potassium.
since the recipe includes bananas. i don’t know what to do?
What is bad about potassium?!?!
I have been loving these smoothies all week for lunch, and am packing them on the go as well! I have found they really are helping me with my constipation issues, which really makes me feel better. I have been switching the fruits out, and loving them with pineapple, berries ans pomegranate. The thing I’m wondering is if I can incorporate the spinach into other smoothie recipes, I’m particularly thinking of pumpkin and orange. I don’t taste the spinach, and like the ‘green’,but I do to some degree associate colors with certain foods. Also, i know fresh is best, and eat little canned food, but wondering if you think canned pumpkin is bad for you?
Thanks! Love the feedback!
Yes, you can absolutely use spinach in your other smoothie recipes!!
I’m ok with using pure canned pumpkin on occassion but I do prefer fresh foods,. My issue with canned foods is how old are they? Even though they are edible, what kind of nutrients are still in tact? How is that food going to make me feel? It may fill me up but it doesn’t make me feel ALIVE! Personally, that’s how I always look at food. Maybe you could use a fresh baked sweet potato instead? I’ve done that before with some almond milk, vanilla stevia, cinnamon and nutmug, it’s devine!! I think it would be lovely with citrus too!!
I would like some more recipes on what others have tried…I am new to this and would like some help with recipes! Thanks in advance!
Hi Stephanie,
All my smoothie recipes can be found here http://lindawagner.net/blog/recipes/smoothies/
Enjoy!!
Please email me if you have anything that you have tried and liked
stephanie020703@yahoo.com
I am in love with this smoothie!! I don’t like very many veggies or fruit.. but I am trying to get healthy. I found the smoothie on pintrest and I knew I had to try it. I will be having one every day now and trying other veggies and fruit in it to. Any ideas on what other veggies have a mild flavor that I could use? Now just wish I could get my boys to drink some. They didnt like that it was green.
Hi Linda,
I found the recipe for your green smoothie on pinterest and I wanted to tell you that I love it!! I go to weight watchers and this is a great no points snack or b’fast!! I was a little sceptical when I saw the color but it is so tasty!! and I am pretty sure my skin is looking better as well!! Thanks so much, Andrea
Hi, I havent tried green smoothies, but i am def going to! It looks and sounds delish! I do have a question, would i be able to drink one for every meal instead of having a regular meal and lose weight? Im looking to loose 20lbs. any help would be great! Thanks.
I recently started weight watchers and can’t wait to try this. Can I use the magic bullet blender? Is that powerful?
sure, it’s worth a try!
Are you ever concerned getting enough protein in your diet? I use True Vitality Plant Protein Powder in my green smoothies. It adds 15 g of protein to the smoothies. I use to add greek yogurt to my smoothies for more protein until reading your blog about food combining. thank you
no, I’m not. You can learn more here http://www.theproteinmyth.com
These look so good! I really don’t like spinach.. but I like baby spinach leaves (like for salad).. can they be substituted?
of course!
If I follow your recipe how many calories / ounces
please see the Q&A at the bottom of the post
I’m curious; has anyone who’ve tried this notice weight loss? That’s the main reason why I want to try this! Plus, it looks super yummy and it’s healthy!! I just don’t want to spend money on fruits (they can be expensive) and have it not work! I’m in college so I’m busy most of the time. I don’t really have time to work out so I was wondering if this can help me lose some unwanted lbs! Thanks =)
It is fabulous for weight loss!
Do you use raw spinach or frozen spinach?
raw
I love the idea of this except for one thing…i hate bananas, i REALLY hate them….is there anything I can substitute for them??
Yes! Please read the Q&A at the bottom of the post!
what are your thoughts on adding peanut butter (I like better n butter) for a little protein?
I am a firm believer in proper food combining. Proteins do not combine well with fruit and will cause fermentation, yeast, digestive issues, and will not aid in weight loss. That’s the reason I don’t recommend adding yogurt or nut butters. Believe me, you will be satisfied with the smoothies, the recipe will make about a quart which will definitely fill you up!!
Ok – this is the second time I’ve seen a comment like this and I have to ask; how do I learn more about food combining? Please and thank you!
Hi Mandy, I cover food combining in detail with my clients but it’s too lengthy and detailed a topic to go into on the blog. You can google it but I’ve found most of the info out there can be quite confusing. This is why I spend a lot of my time going over it with my clients. Let me know if you are ever interested in a session
Thanks for the insight. I would also like to learn more about food combining. Also, I figured someone else might have written a comment like this but there were so many I just didnt have time to read through them all.
Thanks again!
Hi Stephanie,
I cover food combining in detail with my clients but it’s too lengthy and detailed a topic to go into on the blog.
I disagree with not combining dairy and fruit. I do this every single morning by adding 3tbsp of yogurt to my green smoothie. It’s the only way I can tolerate yogurt. Plus, how do you explain all those people (and yogurt companies) that put fruit in the yogurt?
Kim,
That’s fine if you disagree. But I would encourage you to educate yourself first. No one thing is right for everyone but food combining has been a total God send for me and my clients. Until I tried it, I had no idea what a profound effect it would have on my life!!
Have you ever tried food combining? Do you ever have gas/bloating/indigestion/skin issues/fatigue after meals/trouble losing weight? If so, you may want to look into it!
I have to agree with Linda here. I was one of those people who combined yogurt with fruits and veggies. I was so sick and I could not imagine why. I went to several doctors and no luck and only to find out by reading this and experimenting that the combo was so wrong for me. I do green smoothies and no more bloat/gas/indigestion etc. Thank you Linda!
Yep, I agree Suzette! I’ve found that your body will always let you know if it likes what you’re doing or not!!
Excellent guide and suggestions. Looking forward to lose a few excess weight. I’ll present some comments soon after i test this. Thanks a lot!
Got any smoothie ideas for people with Chronic Kidney Disease? This Glowing Green one looks yummy, but I am restricted on many of the ingredients: bananas, spinach, mango… General restrictions: protein, potassium, phosphorous, sodium. The kidney diet is carboholic heaven, except that I’m NOT a carboholic! It is incredibly difficult to manage weight and to feel healthy on the diet that protects my kidneys. Definitely a challenge!
I don’t know if you have answered this yet, but I have found on a couple websites that you should not each spinach every day because of oxalic acid. I put a couple handfuls in my smoothies each day but didn’t know if I should be rotating the spinach with another leafy green.
thanks.
First of all, I have to preface this by saying that I HATE greens. The greenest leafy veggie I can stand is romaine lettuce if that says anything about my sting aversion to greens. Anyway, I’ve read that I really need to get rich leafy greens into my diet daily, but I have had the hardest time getting them in because I can’t stand the taste. I very cautiously tried your recipe tonight and honestly thought I would not like it. As soon as I poured it, I took a deep breath and took a tiny sip. I was absolutely amazed that I could not taste the two handfulls of spinach ( I bought for the first time on my own) at all! I couldn’t even taste a hint of spinach. This is going to be my way to get in my greens. Maybe I’ll even become brave enough to try darker, stronger greens. Thank you for this recipe!
AWESOME!! This is exactly what the green smoothies are for!!
What is the recommended serving size for a smoothie?
I have the same question! what is the recommended smoothie size? How often should you drink the smoothie? And is it to be used as just a snack and not as a meal itself? I just made it, and I LOVE it!
Thanks!
please see the FAQ at the bottom of the post. You can have your smoothie anytime you like!
please see the FAQ at the bottom of the post
Looks great! I’ll let you know how it works for me!
Stupid question….do you drink all 32 oz in one sitting? So is this my breakfast or is the 32 oz two/three/four servings? Sounds great and would love to try this tomorrow morning as my husband bought me a Vitamix for Christmas. First time visitor to your website. FANTASTIC. This is going to be a super wonderful long term ‘friendship’!
Yes, I drink all 32oz!
I guess I’m replying to my own question…lol. Had the smoothie this morning and it was delish! Husband even liked it. I can easily drink the 32 oz., it’s not too much at all! What I really appreciate about this smoothie is that it’s not too sweet. I added a 3rd handful of spinach and 3 Tblsp. of Udo’s 3-6-9 oil. The color green was spot on with yours Linda. My acupuncturist told me to be careful with smoothies because of all the sugar, but your GS is PERFECTION! Thanks Linda!
Awesome Stacy!! So glad you liked it!! Yes, have as much as you need to feel satisfied
I am drinking this yummy deliciousness as I type and I am IN LOVE! I went to the grocery store and spent $70 on fruits and veggies alone and I am sooo excited to start the juice/smoothie “feasting”! I have an awesome juicer and blender that I recently purchased and I’m also on a pretty extreme work out regimen. I am soo stoked about your blog and all of your yummy looking juice/smoothie recipes! Me and my husband are starting our weight loss/healthy lifestyle adventure with this smoothie and so far we love it! Even my two year old loves it! Can’t wait to try more!
AWESOME!!!!
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am anxious to try this….however to lose weight, do I just substitute this green smoothie for breakfast??
yes and have anytime as a snack!
Hi, I was just wondering if you use this drink in place of a meal? Love the drink so does my three year old!
Wow I love this recipe! BUT I am terribly allergic to mangoes (and kiwis, pineapples and papayas…) what would you recommend as a substitute?
Thank you!
no problem, please see the FAQ at the bottom of the post
I too have a Vita mix and I love it. I have always made my veggie and fruit smoothies with yogurt. You are so correct, far easier to digest without the yogurt and doesn’t seem to affect my blood sugars as much. Thanks so much!
you’re welcome!! xo
AMAZING!!! Funnily enough I bought a bag of baby spinach yesterday with a view to using it in a smoothie, and then I see your pic on Pinterest this morning. I used banana, blueberry & spinach – it was divine!
I have posted the pic on pinterest too, please let me know if that’s a problem
Janie x
We tried making this today and I’m sorry to say it wasn’t that good. What are we doing wrong? It would be very helpful if we knew how much water and ice to add and is it one or two banannas?? My husband said it was better before he added ice. Now he is playing around with it adding sugar and fresh pineapple. I don’t want to have to do this. I need something fast and low cal because I am trying to lose weight. Also I need to know exactely how much water/ice, banana to add. Thanks
If you look at the recipe, you’ll see I don’t add ice to my smoothies. I use frozen fruit so there is no need to add additional ice, that will only dilute the flavor.
As for the amount of water, it’s all according to taste. If you want a thin, more watery smoothie then add more water. If you want a thicker smoothie add less.
There is no “exact recipe” that’s the beauty of it. You can adjust it to your tastes and find the perfect combo for you. I would start with 1/2cup water. If that’s not enough to get it to blend then just keep adding a little more until it’s perfect. I hope that helps!
just had my first monster smoothie… and although i don’t normally eat bananas, i added it and it was great! I have prepared 6 bags of frozen fruit portions and fresh spinach so that i could have them ready. I would very much like to be able to have this smoothie everyday, but preparing the fresh spinach is very time consuming and i am really stuck for time. Do you think its less healthy and nutritious to use frozen spinach. I am so weary of frozen fruits and veg, don’t they lose their benefits? It would be very easy to use frozen spinach, at least when i don’t find good quality spinach.
I wouldn’t use frozen spinach. Fresh is always best
I just buy the large pre-washed tubs of fresh spinach from the grocery store. No prep time at all; just grab a few handfuls and go!
I’m drinking this right now and it is delicious! Thanks for the recipe, I can’t wait to try it with other fruits.
I feel compelled to join the other folks who are raving about you’re smoothie. I found this on pinterest and I had to try it. It was so delicious! I am a student and I am also trying to shed a few pounds and its so hard to get in your fruits and veggies and nutrients when you are on the go all the time. This smoothie is quick, easy, and most importantly tasty. I can’t wait to try all of your other healthy recipes.
awesome Michelle!!! xo
Can you add protein powder? Is there something to subsutute the banana for?
Thanks!
Hi Kate, the answers to your questions are answered in the FAQ section at the bottom of the post
Am I missing something? I don’t see anything in the FAQ about protein powder?
SO I am a bit concerned we are head out to the Grand Canyon in June where the heck am I going to get a green smoothie everyday? My husband and I have been having one each everyday for well over 6 weeks and can’t miss a day or we feel terrible. Any suggestions…
Suzette, you’ll probably have to stick to green powders if you can make fresh smoothies. Depending on your travel arrangements, you could always bring a travel blender and some produce with you! My favorite travel blender is here http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-51101B-Personal-Blender/dp/B0017XHSAE
Linda: Which kind of green powder do you recommend? There are a ton out there and not sure which is the best to travel with. We will be in a hotel so I will invest in a small travel blender. Can I mix the green powder by its self and drink it?
Hi Suzette,
I like a few, Amazing Grasses is a good brand http://www.iherb.com/Amazing-Grass-GreenSuperFood-All-Natural-Drink-Powder-17-oz-480-g/11089. You can mix the greens with water and maybe some fresh squeezed lemon and stevia when travelling or even fresh squeezed oj!
I also really like Dragon Herbs Tonic Alchemy http://www.iherb.com/Tonic-Alchemy-9-5-oz-270-g/21556 it’s got a strong taste though so I would recommend adding to a smoothie or chocolate drink.
I hope that helps!! xo
if i can’t have bananas…..how many Avacados should i use??? thank you
1-2 depending on the size of the avocado
Hi Linda,
I really do love your website, and I’m very passionate about green smoothies and health in general, and it is a great encouragement to websites such as yours!
Allison
Thank you Allison!! xo
try adding garlic, it makes it very meaty – and if you haven’t tried it, start off with just a little, and add more next time if you like it. Watermelon is good as well, except you do need to just use the flesh. The rind is good for you and edible, however it tastes revolting. I have been told to be careful not to use the same green every day, too much of one type can be harmful, so its a good idea to rotate the greens. If you are game also roquette is great, but only if you like that type of thing.
Garlic, really?! I add garlic to my blended soups but not fruit smoothies!!
There is no problem with eating the same greens every day. I’ve been consuming kale, spinach, and parsley on a regular basis for the past 6 years!! Would love to see some research/studies to back up that statement!
I am confused by this…I use a spinach base everyday, are you telling me that its going to harm me? I am 25 lbs down on this green smoothie and I am not about to change it unless it is a fact spinach is going to be bad for me. I wondered how a spinach, garlic, tomato, carrot, celery, cucumber combo would be….
No problems with eating the same greens over and over. They are NOT TOXIC. I’ve been having spinach in my smoothies every day for 6 years…I feel AMAZING!! No health issues or problems here!!
The “smoothie” you described with tomato and veggies is more like a blended soup. I make them all the time, they are delicious!! Check out my soups tab here http://lindawagner.net/blog/recipes/soups/ the 5 min corn chowder and tomato soup are fantastic!!
Hi linda!
ill try it tomorrow def! I just started a really necessary and long term weight loss goal. I usually drink my green smothies with peaches or mango, strawberries and pineapple. I add spinach, orange juice and coconut milk?
That sounds like a tasty smoothie
I know coconut milk comes from within the coconut, but what do you think about this? It is pretty healthy and has a lot of good nutrients. Do you think its ok to combine it with all the other fruit?
And also, today I ran out of spinach… do you know how would the smoothie taste if I make it with baby lettuce?
Thanks a lot
)))
I would skip the oj and coconut milk if weight loss is a goal. Just use water, you’d be surprised, it still tastes delicious!! You can add stevia to sweeten it up if you like! Try the baby lettuce and see! Each green will have a slightly different taste
This is absolutely fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve found that using natural OJ instead of water gives it a little extra flavor boost.
I’m so addicted to pinterest.com & that is where I discovered you! I am totally excited to try this green smoothie recipe.
Thanks for sharing <3
What a great blog! Was given a whole bag of spinach today so will be sure to try this out! Do you buy the frozen mangoes and peaches or do you freeze them yourself?
xx
I buy them frozen
Hi linda!! I’m new in all this, but because my sister gave me to try one of her green smoothies that I really like it. I’m trying to change my food habits and I would like to know if your receipt will help me to have a better digestion, since I remember is being really bad. Plus a had a baby 1 year ago I gain so much weight n I would like to loose it. Your smoothie or you know any kind of smoothie that will help me .. Thanks
all the smoothies will be fantastic!!
I’m so happy I came across this site. I made the chocolate milkshake smoothie for breakfast (used chocolate flavored whey instead of cocoa powder….still fantastic!) and have been thinking about this green smoothie all day. So much so, in fact, that I literally could not wait until tomorrow’s breakfast to try it. I just whipped one up (lucky I did it early, anyway, as my blender isn’t that hot and needed some extra time to blend the frozen fruit) to put in the fridge for tomorrow morning and had a few sips just to try it out.
This smoothie is not only awesome tasting but it’s gorgeous! It looks so neat in a mason jar in the fridge that it will almost be a shame to drink it!
Yes!! Green Smoothies and Chocolate Smoothies are my absolute fave!! So glad you like them both!! xo
i was wondering…. ca i make a whole batch for the week or is it a daily thing?
They will last about 24hrs in the fridge. If you need to make several of them ahead of time you can keep them in the freezer
Great blog. Stumbled upon it a few weeks ago. Bought the fruits frozen. Came out nice and green. Even used waters. The fruit balances out the taste, not leaving a strong veg taste either. Having some this morning. I would like to drink this regularly in the morning and wondering if there plastic cups w/ tops and straws to purchase somewhere.
Would make a to-go drink!
One post mentioning about strawberries, coming out brown. I used FRESH blackberries the first time. It came out black. Not gonna do that again!
Happy, healthy drinking!
I
It’s ok if the color is dark. It will still taste fine…it’s just not as pretty to look at!!
I have been an individual who tries to do low sugar when I can. I love green smoothies but is the banana keeping me from losing weight? I can’t figure it out. I don’t like the taste without the banana though =( Please help!
Hi Rose, you’ll see in the FAQ at the bottom of the post that I recommend subbing avocado and/or fresh coconut meat for the bananas. You can also omit them and just use frozen fruit and add stevia if you feel you need it. I hope that helps!
Awesome Samantha!! I use the 32oz mason jars and I’ll drink anywhere between 8-32oz depending on my appetite
Have fun with your new juicer!!!
Love your site! What is your opinion on using almond milk, or protein powders as far as the food combining?
Can you make a batch of this and freeze it or just put it in the frig? I want to try this and it sounds yummy just didn’t know if it would keep if made in a large amount
I answered this question in the FAQ at the bottom of the post
“If you are constantly rushing out the door in the morning, you can make your smoothies the night before. They will last in the fridge for up to 24hrs.
If you are REALLY pressed for time, you can make all your green smoothies for the week then freeze them. Each night remove one and let thaw on the counter or in the fridge so that the next morning it’s ready to go.”
Enjoy!! xo
Thank you so much for this recipe – It is absolutely delicious and energizing….My 3 year old and 5 year old love them too and help me make them daily…A smoothie without dairy is wonderful..I will never go back!
yay!! So glad you like it Felicia! xo