Building the Ultimate Green Smoothie
Ah, the green smoothie. To some, it’s pond scum; to me, it’s a delicious, nutrient-dense hulk juice. Drinking a glass of green shouldn’t feel like a chore, so I have put together an easy-to-follow guide for building the ultimate green smoothie with a couple of my favourite recipes!
You can switch up your concoction of green goodness depending on activity level or the seasons: boost the protein post workout for recovery; dial up the sugar pre-workout for energy; or use a fattier base like coconut milk in the winter months.
STEP 1: Choose your base
- Water
- Coconut milk
- Coconut water
- Maple water
- Almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
- Fresh-squeezed fruit juice
STEP 2: Choose your fruit (I prefer frozen)
- Banana
- Pineapple
- Berries
- Kiwi
- Cucumber
- Melon
- Citrus
STEP 3: Choose your greens
- Kale, stems removed
- Spinach
- Mint
- Parsley
- Chard
- Collards
- Chlorella
- Spirulina
- Chlorophyll
STEP 4: Choose your protein
- Hemp seeds
- Chia seeds
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Silken tofu
- Protein powder
STEP 5: Choose your sweetener (optional)
- Pure stevia leaf
- Raw honey
- Dates
- Coconut sugar
- Maple syrup
Once you’ve picked your goodies, toss them into a blender and enjoy! Here are a couple of my all-time favourite green smoothie recipes:
Kale-O-Nator
This is my go-to pre-workout smoothie. It’s packed with electrolytes, potassium, and carbohydrates to give my muscles the fuel they need for peak performance. The matcha gives the added benefit of natural caffeine for extra energy.
- 2 cups of baby kale
- 2 frozen banana
- 1 kiwi, peeled
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chlorophyll
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 2 pitted Medjool dates
- Coconut water
Mean-A-Spirulina
Spirulina, one of my favourite greens to grace this fine earth. It is super high in protein, which is essential post-workout for muscle repair. It’s also chock-full of antioxidants and minerals that help alkalize the acid-forming nature of hard training.
- 2-3 teaspoons organic spirulina powder
- 2 frozen bananas
- 1 tablespoon cashew butter
- Almond milk
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Cucumber Mint Fat-Attack
I love this smoothie when I have to rush out the door and don’t have time for breakfast. It’s high in healthy fats that help to keep me satiated throughout the day.
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves
- ½ cucumber, peeled
- 1 pitted and peeled avocado
- 3 teaspoons hemp seeds
- Juice of one lime
- Teaspoon raw honey
- 1 can full fat organic coconut milk
What’s your go-to green smoothie recipe? We’re always looking for new ones! Share your recipe here or on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
