Quick and Easy Green Smoothie Recipe
I love green smoothies. I usually make one every morning in my Vitamix right after making my Bulletproof Coffee. I love them as a quick and easy source of nutrition during the day. They don't always look green, but I call them green smoothies because I pack them full of green leafy vegetables. Sometimes I use the smoothie as a meal replacement. Other times I sip on it during the day as a snack. I often recommend green smoothies to clients wanting to detox, lose weight, balance hormones, manage cravings boost energy and improve nutrition during pregnancy. These smoothies are a great way to get closer to the ideal of 6-11 servings of vegetables a day. After spending a lot of time during patient encounters writing out my basic smoothie recipe, I figured I'd finally post the recipe on my blog. Here's the scoop.
Basic Green Smoothie Recipe
Place the following ingredients in a high-quality blender. My husband and I like the Vitamix.
1 cup Califia Farms Unsweetened Almond Milk. You can substitute any other soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, carrageenan-free, non-GMO "milk."
1 cup frozen organic berries. My favorite is wild blueberries
OPTIONAL boosters (see below)
1-2 handfuls of organic greens. I often use Organic Girl's pre-washed salad greens for convenience. I try to vary the mix I use on a weekly basis.
Blend until smooth.Fill your favorite glass, stainless steel or another BPA-free container with your smoothie.
Boosters
If you follow me on Instagram you often see pictures of the various ingredients I add to my smoothies. I do this to improve the nutritional quotient of my smoothie, to supply something that I feel my body needs at the time and for variety. These are some of my favorite additions to my basic smoothie recipe.
Healthy fats I like to add 2 tablespoons of Nutiva Coconut Manna. You could also 1 Tbsp of sprouted nut butter.
Protein If you are pregnant, using the smoothie as a meal replacement or if your body needs additional support during periods of repair or muscle building, you could benefit from adding additional protein. I like Nutiva Hemp protein as a plant-based option. Dr. Axe's Collagen Protein is another one of my favorites if you are not vegan or vegetarian.
Herbs etc. Spirulina is a great smoothie addition for both pregnant and menstruating women since it is high in iron. Unlike iron pills, it won't make you constipated. It is also a great source of protein and antioxidants. I highly recommend it especially for my vegan ladies and those avoiding red meat. I like Pure Hawaiian Pacifica. Since I work in a high-stress field of medicine, I like to add herbs that give me a natural energy boost and help my body manage stress. Essential Living Foods Maca Blend is perfect for this. It contains Maca which helps to support hormone balance, Cordyceps which helps with mental focus and energy, and my favorite adaptogen ashwagandha. Berries and chocolate go well together. Sometimes I'll add a scoop of unsweetened raw cacao powder. It tastes great and adds more antioxidants.
Let me know what smoothie combinations you come up with . Follow me on social media to keep up with my daily smoothie habit.