The best blender to use for making green smoothies is a high powered blender like Vita-mix or Blendtec, and although they are an investment, they are well worth it. A standard blender will work just fine as long as it is powerful enough to grind up the veggies and fruit so that you are not left with chunks. I have been using a regular blender for years, and although I've had to replace a few blades, it has served me well. Some other helpful smoothie tips:
- Of all the greens used to make smoothies, spinach has the mildest flavor, and therefore is the easiest to disguise. Greens like beet tops, carrot tops and wheatgrass have strong flavors and will not be hidden as easily.
- Be aware if you are adding blueberries to your smoothies, they will NOT be green. Smoothies with blueberries added can turn a variety of colors, including purple, red and even brown! Kids may be turned off by these colors, so you can use a dark colored glass if this bothers your kids.
- Kids (and husbands!) often like the addition of yogurt (try vanilla) to their smoothies. Yogurt adds a creaminess and sweetness that can make green smoothies more palatable for picky tastebuds. Not to mention, it adds healthful probiotics, calcium, and protein!
- The thickness and consistency of your smoothie will greatly depend on the type of fruit you are using, and if the fruit is fresh or frozen. The measurements of water in these recipes should be used as a guideline, and not set in stone. When it comes to water, remember you can always add, but you can't take away. Start with 1/4 c and add more until your smoothie reaches the desired consistency.
The Powerhouse
1 apple
1 banana*
1 pear
1/4 c wild blueberries, frozen
1 orange
5 strawberries
2 c spinach
1 T ground flax seed
1 oz wheatgrass
1/2 c water
* I like to slice and freeze my bananas in Ziploc bags. Adding frozen fruit helps to thicken the smoothie and makes it cold, which my family likes.
Just like Jamba ( at least that's what my 2 year old claims!)
1 banana, fresh or frozen
6 strawberries
1/2 c wild blueberries, frozen
1/2 mango, or 6 pieces frozen mango
1 orange
1/2 an apple
1 kiwi
5 kale leaves- (we've also done a combination of kale and spinach in this smoothie)
1 T ground flax seed
1/2 c water
Starter Smoothie Starter Kale Smoothie
5-6 kumquats 1 banana, fresh or frozen
1 banana, fresh or frozen 5 strawberries
1 pear 5 pieces frozen mango
6 strawberries 1/4 c wild blueberries, frozen
2 c spinach 1/2 orange
1/2 c water 4-5 kale leaves
1/2 c water
Banana- Kale Smoothie
1 banana, fresh or frozen
5 kale leaves
5 pieces frozen mango
1/2 c water
Spinach- Pear
1 pear
6 strawberries
2 c spinach
1/4 c water
Green Machine Soup
1 cucumber
1 celery stalk
1 avocado
1 tomato
2 T cilantro
1/4 c chopped red bell pepper
Spinach- Melon
2 c spinach
1/2 watermelon
6 strawberries
1 c red grapes
* I don't add water to this one because of the high water content in the watermelon. If you find it to be too thick, add water as necessary.
Kale-Berry- Grape
5 kale leaves
2 oranges
6 strawberries
1 c of grapes
1/2 c water
Kale-Strawberry-Peach
3-5 kale leaves
1 pint strawberries
2 peaches
1 c water
Apple-Kale-Mango
2 apples
5 kale leaves
6 pieces frozen mango
1 1/2 c water
Pear-Kale-Mint
3 pears
5 kale leaves
½ bunch of mint
2 c water
Strawberry-Banana-Romaine
1 c strawberries
2 bananas, fresh or frozen
½ bunch romaine
2 c water
Dandelion Greens
1 bunch red dandelion greens
6 strawberries
1 mango
1 banana
1/2 c water
Sweet Greens
1 c green grapes
1 orange, peeled
1/2 pear
1 banana, fresh or frozen
4-5 kale leaves
1/2 c water
Lettuce eat smoothies
2 bananas, fresh or frozen
3 oranges, peeled
1 head romaine lettuce
1 c water
Tropical Beet Smoothie
1 orange, peeled
1 banana, fresh or frozen
1/2 c wild blueberries, frozen
1 c frozen beet tops
1 c water
Beet- spinach
2 bananas
1 c wild blueberries, frozen
1/2 c pineapple
1 c frozen beet tops
2 c spinach
1 1/2 c water
Romaine- Melon- Berry
1 head romaine lettuce
1/2 small cantaloupe
6 strawberries
Blueberry Kale Smoothie
1 banana, fresh or frozen
2-4 kale leaves
1 c wild blueberries, frozen
1 c water
Island Kale Smoothie
1 banana, fresh or frozen
8 kale leaves
1 c pineapple
3 dates, pitted
1 c frozen mango
1 1/2 c water
Tropical Breeze
1 mango
1 banana, fresh or frozen
1 c pineapple
2 c spinach
1/2 c water
Purple Tropics
1 banana, fresh or frozen
2-4 kale leaves
1/2 c wild blueberries, frozen
3/4 c pineapple
1 c water
Purple Kale Smoothie
1 banana, fresh or frozen
3-4 large kale leaves
1/4 red beet
1 c wild blueberries, frozen
1 c water
Peachy Kale Smoothie
1 banana, fresh or frozen
8 kale leaves
2 dates, pitted
3/4 c pineapple
1/2 c strawberries, frozen
3/4 c peaches
1 c water
Beet-Peach
1 peach
1 banana, fresh or frozen
1 c wild blueberries, frozen
1 c frozen beet tops
1 1/2 c water
8 pieces cantaloupe
6 strawberries
1 apple
1 pear
1/4 c wild blueberries, frozen
2 c spinach
1 oz wheatgrass juice
1 T ground flax seed
Green Apple
3 c dandelion greens
2 apples
1 mango
1 peach
Orange Dream
8 pieces frozen mango
2 oranges
2 c spinach
1 c water
Starter Kale Smoothie
2 bananas, frozen
1 apple
1 pear
3-4 kale leaves
1/2 c water
Banana- Kiwi
1 banana, fresh or frozen
2 kiwis
1 c spinach
1/2 c water
Refresh
1 c dandelion greens
1 fresh pineapple
small handful of mint
Gingersnap
2 pears
2 slices of ginger
handful of parsley
Kiwi- Melon
3-4 kale leaves
2 kiwis
7-8 chunks of cantaloupe
Green Dream
2 kiwis
1 banana, fresh or frozen
2 c spinach
1/2 c water
1 banana, fresh or frozen
2 dates, pitted
1 apple
1 pear
1/2 c fresh orange juice
1 c spinach