Energy Boosting Morning Green Smoothie

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a huge fan of my green juices. But, sometimes a girl needs some fibrous green drinks in her life – so enter the green smoothie.

Green smoothies LOVE you and your body. It’s a way to pack leafy greens – which contain more vitamins and minerals than any other food group – into an easy to drink, delicious tasting drinks. You can boost your immune system, fight disease with powerful antioxidants, improve health and longevity, and naturally boost your energy. It’s the best kind of fast food there is!

This recipe is for the smoothie I’ve been drinking nearly every morning for the past two months. I’m positively addicted. One cup of this and I am ready to take on the day – full of energy and healthy greens. Let’s break this bad boy down, shall we?

Avocado – Full of brain-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, inflammation reducing antioxidants, and blood pressure reducing potassium (30% more than a banana!).

Kale – High in digestive-aiding fiber, liver boosting iron, and vision boosting Vitamin A.

Apple - Adds a bit of sweetness plus endurance boosting antioxidants, and immune helping Vitamin C.

Spinach - One of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, containing cancer fighting antioxidants, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and 40% of your magnesium requirement daily.

Coconut Water - Nature’s gatorade, full of dietary fiber, enzymes, Vitamin C, amino acids, and potassium.

Mint - A touch of minty freshness finishes this drink beautifully and will aid digestion, clear up your skin, and stimulate your senses.

Energy Boosting Green Smoothie

• 1/2 avocado
• 4 leaves kale, stems removed
• 1/2 apple
• 1 handful loose spinach
• 1 cup coconut water
• 4-5 fresh mint leaves

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender (like this one or this one) and blend until green and smooth. Drink right away – perhaps with an earth-friendly stainless steel straw.

If you want to know more about making green smoothies a part of your life, I highly recommend the site Simple Green Smoothies. I know the ladies who run that joint, and they are changing lives! Here are some of their tips for a great green smoothie experience:

For the best ratio, follow the 60/40 formula. For example: 3 cups fruit, 2 cups dark leafy greens, 1-2 cups of water. Makes 32-40 oz or 4-5 cups.

If bitter or too “green tasting,” add an extra dose of nature’s sweetener. Sometimes, smoothies can taste a little bitter or overpowering from the leafy greens. To fix this, just add a natural sweetener such as bananas, mango, apples, pears or pitted dates.

For optimal nutrient content, drink your smoothie right away. Fresh is always best, but sometimes you will have leftovers. Store in airtight containers, like a mason jar with lid, to limit oxidation (which breaks down nutrients and changes the color.) You can keep green smoothies in the fridge for 24 – 48 hours.

Change up your liquid base from time to time. Water is a great base for green smoothies, but it’s nice to change it up and incorporate more nutrients and vitamins occasionally. Coconut water is low in fat and calories, yet high in potassium, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes. For a more creamy texture, add unsweetened nut milks to your smoothies like almond milk or coconut milk, which are packed with bone-building calcium and vitamin E.

Want your green smoothie to be extra chilly? Freeze your favorite fruits like ripe bananas, grapes, pineapple or berries. This is also a great way to not waste ripe fruits and veggies.