March 26, 2010

Green Smoothie-licious

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

Drinks + Smoothies Snacks
52 comments

So I don’t know if it’s that St. Patty’s day just passed, or what, but I’ve finally gotten on the green smoothie bandwagon.

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Does anyone else avoid using their blender because they don’t want to wash it? Lol. That was totally me.

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Anyway, this awesome cup basically convinced me to stop being silly and actually use my blender:

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Yay! My best friend Jenny from high school gave it to me at Christmas, and I’m obsessed. I think my problem with smoothies before was that I never had straws, and smoothies aren’t nearly as fun without straws. Plus, I like smoothies on the go more than I do at home. Problem solved!

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I’m actually kind of obsessed with green smoothies now. They’re such a delicious way to get in a ton of greens!

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I don’t like super thick or complicated smoothies, so I stick with the classic:

  • Half a ripe banana
  • 1 C skim milk
  • Fresh baby spinach (Pack in as much as you want! I use 2 huge handfuls)

Just toss it all in the blender with a couple ice cubes and mmm… SO delicious!! The banana makes it nice and sweet with the milk, and you can’t taste the spinach. YUM!

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Do you like green smoothies? What’s your favorite combination?

Off to work I gooooooo! TGIF, right?!

- anne

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52 comments
  • Basically I'm awesome right? :) I totally get the not wanting to use your blender because you have to wash it- guess I should suck it up and pull it out more often to make fun smoothies, otherwise it's just a waste right?! right.
    Pretty much ;) xoxo -A
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    • I have just made my first spinach and banana smoothie mmmmmm scrummie...... thanks for the tip
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  • You really can't taste the spinach? I love spinach but not sure how it would taste in a smoothie! Now I think I'm going to give it a try!
    You really can't! The flavor blends really well with the banana and milk. :) Give it a try! -Anne
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  • I had that exact same smoothie this morning, and I like it so much better than the ones where I try to throw a bunch of junk in them. And I hear ya - HATE using my blender or food processor because they are a biotch to clean.
    Exactly - before I was trying to add too much stuff. Simple is better!! :) -Anne
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  • Ooh, that cup looks awesome-- I need something like that for smoothies on the go. The easiest way for me to clean my blender is to empty the smoothie (duh), give it a quick rinse with hot water, and then fill it about half way with hot water and some soap. Put it back on the stand and blend-- it cleans it right away!
    Holy crap... blending it with soap and hot water is GENIUS!!!! Totally doing that next time. -Anne
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    • Ok how genius is this! This is a forehead slap moment! Great tip!
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  • I have to admit, I try a lot in the blog world and this hasn't been one yet. I always have plans to try one and then I chicken out. I'm scared!!!!!
    Do it!! It's totally not scary :) They are delicious! -Anne
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  • Cleaning the blender is a pain, mine is often "soaking" in the sink for awhile after I make a smoothie. They get extra gross with the spinach in there. Keeping the green monster simple works for me, though adding any frozen fruit is delicious- blueberries, pineapple, etc.
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  • i have been on a HUGE green monster kick lately. I've had one almost every day for the last two weeks. I like freezing the banana, and adding a few frozen strawberries and some frozen pineapple, in addition to the milk and spinach. yum!!
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  • I need to get a cup like that!!! I love green smoothies! My favorite is 1 cup almond milk, 1 frozen banana, LOTS OF SPINACH, 1 TBS PB, 1 Scoop Amazing Grass Chocolate Superfood. I sometimes add chia seeds or strawberries too. My favorite smoothie is 1/2 cup vanilla soy milk, 1/2 cup greek yogurt, raspberries and PB with chocolate amazing grass. SOOOOO good. Tastes like PB and J!
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  • I always drink smoothies out of a straw! I think most drinks taste better that way :) My smoothie is usually a standard mix of spinach + banana + almond milk + crushed ice + spoonful of almond butter + a squirt of agave. I've been meaning to buy some frozen fruits to experiment with too. And no you are not the only one who avoids smoothies because of dishwashing..I make mine in food processor and it's a pain to wash all the parts!
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  • I also recently got on the Green Smoothie Bandwagon - I use 1 banana, 1 cup rice milk and 2 cups spinach. I have a cup like that too - I agree - smoothies taste much better with a straw. I bought a Magic Bullet because I hate to clean my blender - it is so much easier!
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  • oh my, i LOVE green smoothies! although i do add berries (frozen) because i like the flavor and consistency they bring. also, adding oatmeal to it (I soak mine in the milk for about 20 minutes first) brings even more added fiber and bulk. YUM!
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  • Okay, here's the question: can you make one that tastes good WIHTOUT THE BANANA? I'm allergic (anaphylactic allergic!) to bananas, mangoes, paypaya, kiwi and pineapple. So that leaves me strawberries and blueberries, really, for smoothies. Do either work with greens?? Another vote here for the Magic Bullet. Way better than a blender!!
    Definitely! I'm partial to bananas, but other fruit is good in them, too :) Try making one with frozen strawberries, frozen blueberries, milk, and spinach! If the fruit is frozen you won't need ice. -Anne
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    • I also like to add frozen mango sometimes because you can get that same smooth, creamy consistency that you get from the banana.
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      • And I just realized you're allergic to mangoes, too - duh! Sorry : )
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  • I love to make mine with orange juice and greek yogurt. It's like a tropical smootie! Soooo good!
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  • I like how yours is really simple. no powders, seeds, etc. i made one for the first time last weekend with berries, peanut butter, milk, etc. but yours is fewer ingredients. i get confused about when to eat it/what to eat it with? do you drink it as a snack? meal? and blending soap and water is brilliant!
    Simple is better for sure! I have it either as a lighter snack by itself, or if I'm having it for breakfast or lunch I'll also have a couple pieces of toast with nut butter for more sustenance :) -Anne
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  • haha we both made a post this morning about green smoothies!
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  • I love green smoothies. They tend to look unawesome, but they're so good, filling, and healthy. On top of what you do, I often throw in some blueberries that have been kept in the freezer overnight, some flax, and strawberries sometimes. The color is kinda funky (green and purple weirdness) but it's really delicious and refreshing.
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  • I just tried to search for that cup on the UA website and CAN'T find it. I love it! Where is it from?
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    • It was something UA made for company employees- I put in a suggestion that they add it for retail though!
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      • Yeah they totally need to!! I want to buy like 10 more.
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  • I started drinking them almost 2 months ago and I am so addicted. I seriously miss them when I don't have them. My fav is to use 3-4 c spinach, 1/2 banana, 1/2 c almond milk, 1 T almond butter, 1 T ground flax, 1 scoop chocolate protein powder. So YUM!
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  • OMG I have to have that cup!! Seriously, I think I might die without it :) I LOVE green smoothies! Though I have to mix frozen fruit with mine right now.. I need some extra taste in there!
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    • uh oh.. is this the same cup?? http://www.underarmour.com/productsafety/
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      • nope athletic cups. haha! sorry I'm taking up so many comments Anne. I'll stop now and go back to searching for that DRINKING cup :) :)
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  • I absolutely LOVE green smoothies. My favorite combo is 2 cups spinach, 1/2 frozen banana, 1 cup almond milk, and 1 T natural peanut butter. I also like subbing the peanut butter for half a packet of chocolate Amazing Meal. YUM!
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  • Yikes, i've never had a green smoothie because I HATE cleaning my blender. I have the kind the dissasembles into 4 pieces on the bottom and it's SUCH a pain to take it apart etc. etc. I kinda like my smoothies chunky though! hahaha
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  • I usually do heaping handfuls of spinach or kale (up to the top, if I can!) with an individual sized fruit on the bottom Greek yogurt, vanilla almond or soy milk, a scoop of protein powder and then about a 1/2 to 1 cup of berries. SOOOOO filling and yummy! If I'm feeling extra adventurous, I'll swap the berries for cereal.
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  • But, really, how does this concoction taste?
    Delicious! Just like sweet banana milk :) -Anne
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  • I've just discovered the green smoothies myself and am hopelessly addicted. I've been sticking mine in the coffee carriers . . . what are they called. Portable tall coffee mugs with tops? I do agree though, smoothies are better with straws. I love the cup! And I hate cleaning my blender. Uber hot water cleans it mostly right?
    Haha yeah I totally just rinse mine out with hot water most of the time ;) If you do it right away, it's fine!! I'm going to try blending it with hot water and soap in it, though. That's such a good idea... -Anne
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  • I'm more an OJ, banana and strawberry smoothie gal, but I have been tempted with the green monsters I've seen on blogs lately. Need to go get some spinach I guess...
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  • Your combination sounds really simple and good! I like strawberries and frozen blueberries in addition to the ingredients in yours, and sometimes I'll add in: canned pumpkin, ground flaxseed, wheat germ, cottage cheese, and/or yogurt. Starbucks sold cups like that at one point, but when I went to get one I heard they were backordered all over the place...I'm so mad I didn't get one earlier! Smoothies are definitely better through straws!
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  • I am slightly obsessed with GMs. I like mine with Silk, ice, banana, lots of spinach and peanut butter. Sometimes I add some cinnamon or protein powder, but I like to keep it simple!
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  • That smoothie looks absolutely delicious! Definitely whipping out my notebook to jot the recipe down! And to answer your question, I've never ever had a green smoothie!
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  • I use to hate making smoothies because I hated washing my blender too! Now I use a hand blender which is SUPER easy to clean and even comes with a container/cup thing with a lid. Very convenient and easy!
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  • I absolutely love the green monster! I put in 1/2 a banana, a handful of frozen blueberries, some flax seeds, 1/2 cup of almond milk, ice, protein powder, and TONS of spinach!
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  • I loooove GM's!! Ok, I love how they make you feel. I just feel healthier when I drink them.. haha My stand by is 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup yogurt, pinch of cinnamon, frozen banana, and a HUGE handful of spinach. Yum!
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  • Since you asked... I had to add my fav BLUE smoothie recipe! Hand blender is KEY- easy clean up :) I use fat free plain organic yogurt, organic skim milk, smidge of honey, flax seed oil, a banana, and frozen wild blueberries (so easy to keep in the freezer and according to the bag, more antioxidants than cultivated blueberrries.. not sure if thats true but its totally worth the convenience of a resealable bag). I'm not quite there with the green smoothies but i'll give it a try soon. smoothie form is a great way for fruit-a-phobic Kris to get some blueberries into her diet! Good luck on the A&P quiz- I am a champ at the heart so bring on any questions ;)
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  • The key to not washing your blender is simply rinsing it out once you pour the smoothie. Rotate it so the water hits the sides, not just so it fills up. Voila! Clean blender.
    Hehe yeah that's what I've been doing :) And then every few times I'll ACTUALLY wash it! -Anne
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  • Hi, I just found your blog and stumbled upon this post! I'm drinking a GM for breakfast right now infront of the computer ;) I made mine with spinach, 1 cup almond breeze, 1TBSP PB (first time trying this but I think I'll stick with Almond Butter from now on), 1 frozen banana, ice and 1 scoop chia seeds. You should try adding chia seeds because they seem to give an interesting gel-like texture..It sort of makes the smoothie more creamy but not in a weird way :D As for avoiding the blender because of the sheer laziness of washing it- I'm totally with you! Now I just rinse it right after I pour my smoothie out. I fill it half way with water, but the lid back on and give it a good shake.
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  • ANNE... This is FABulous!!! I just tried it. I did add a few frozen strawberries though bc I was afraid of tasting the spinach. It is DElicious! Thanks for the recipe. Next smoothie I will venture making without the strawberries. You were right you can't taste the spinach! AMAZING!
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  • I make a green smoothie alot with a little variation. Here's my green smoothie: 1/2 c to 3/4 c of coconut water 2 large handful of spinach 1 tsp honey Puree this then add: 1 frozen banana 1 tbsp flaxseed oil (a handful of any other fruit like blueberries, strawberries, apples, etc) optional Puree this and enjoy. Can add more coconut water if you want a more liquid smoothie.
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  • I haven't tried it myself but apparently Mason jars are compatible with most blender bases and therefore you won't have to clean the blender jar :)
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  • Try this with coconut water instead of milk! sooooo good.
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  • Hi Sorry to ask a very silly question but the when it says 1 C skimmed milk in the banana and spinach smoothie is hat 1 carton, cup or something else! Seriously keen to try tomorrow morning but I want to get quantities right ..
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    • 1 C = 1 cup! Enjoy
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  • can you use non dairy milks?
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    • Yes! Your favorite non-dairy milk should work just fine :)
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