Tropical Green Smoothie
Friday, 22 April 2011
In my last post I complained about having too many sweets and desserts in my house (what a terrible situation, really). We recently got an amazing new blender so I’ve been balancing my sweet overload by shoving vegetables into it and masking their flavor with fruit. It’s a win, win – good flavor, lots of nutrients.
It’s become my new morning ritual to toss yogurt, spinach, fresh and frozen fruit into the blender and go whirrrr until you can no longer tell there’s spinach in it. I mean, except for that astonishing green color. But, if you weren’t looking at this (maybe try an opaque glass for your kids), you really couldn’t tell. Fresh pineapple flavor comes out on top, successfully camoflaging the “healthy” flavor. Besides the nutrients in fresh fruits and vegetables, another bonus is that this actually keeps me full all morning – something I’ve struggled with when I eat cereal. Avoiding a grumbling stomach in the middle of class is another reason to down a suspiciously green beverage.
Also, don’t skimp on the spinach. Here’s my colander full of one smoothie serving, and you can see how disturbing the proportion looks in the blender. Don’t worry – it will liquify and you won’t even know it’s there. If you can tell, just add a little more fruit or a drizzle of honey.
I’ve been making these green smoothies with lots of spinach mostly, but I also tried avocado and kale and liked those too. What other veggies have you tried in smoothies?
Recipe:
Tropical Green Smoothie
Makes 1 big or 2 small smoothies
- 1 C plain yogurt
- 1 C frozen or fresh pineapple chunks (I recommend fresh)*
- 1/2 C frozen or fresh mango chunks*
- 2-3 big handfuls of fresh spinach
- 1 T chia seeds (optional)
Place all ingredients in blender and blend on high until everything is pureed.
*If using all fresh fruit, you may want to add some ice
No. 1 — April 22nd, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Wow! I love your pictures – they make green smoothies look so beautiful.
I’m on a raw diet, and I’ve been trying to get my courage up to make a green smoothie (other than just fruit smoothies)…and yours looks so good I might just try it!
No. 2 — April 22nd, 2011 at 12:54 pm
Love It! Just really love it, so healthy and refreshing…yes no skimping on the spinach, I promise
No. 3 — April 22nd, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Yum! I have been loving the green smoothies too, and haven’t tried pineapple yet. This looks delicious!
Christine @ Nourish the Budding Lotus recently posted Homemade Vegan Nutella
No. 4 — April 22nd, 2011 at 4:30 pm
I love green smoothies! I was so afraid to try one, I think it took me 3 weeks to gain the courage and now I’m hooked. I’ve never done it with tropical fruits, picking those up at Trader Joes next time!
Lindsey@lindselicious recently posted Pumpkin Coconut Crunch Granola
No. 5 — April 22nd, 2011 at 5:15 pm
I just recently got a Vitamix too and I have been making smoothies galore- carrots are another great addition!
No. 6 — April 22nd, 2011 at 5:17 pm
I love green monsters. I tens to cut my fresh fruit then freeze it. I like the consistency it gives the smoothie with out having to add ice. Sometimes I omit the yogurt for almond milk. Makes it sweeter and is really good with blueberries or strawberries
No. 7 — April 22nd, 2011 at 5:20 pm
I’m a green smoothie fan also. My family thinks I’m a bit cuckoo but that’s OK. I like to throw in broccoli sometimes and even sweet potatoes.
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No. 8 — April 22nd, 2011 at 6:49 pm
Yocelyn – freezing fresh fruit is a great idea! I’m going to stock up on pineapples next time they’re on sale and do that. And all the great summer berries when they’re in season!
No. 9 — April 22nd, 2011 at 6:50 pm
@Sandra – I’ve been curious about broccoli but haven’t tried it yet. It’s on sale this week so I think I’ll give it a shot. Sweet potatoes are also a great idea – thanks!
No. 10 — April 22nd, 2011 at 6:52 pm
@Hayley – Carrots are a great idea! Thanks from me and my rabbit (who will be thrilled to eat my carrot scraps)
No. 11 — April 22nd, 2011 at 6:53 pm
@Andrea – thanks! Give it a try. You can always add more fruit to make it taste even more like a fruit smoothie. You won’t even know you’re eating veggies.
No. 12 — April 23rd, 2011 at 7:57 am
I have a green smoothie nearly everyday, but I do like the sound of your variation. It just feels good knowing that all that goodness is going in your body.
No. 13 — April 24th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
I love everything about this smoothie!
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No. 14 — April 25th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Some days I just can’t face breakfast but this would really appeal – healthy, tasty and light – and made in minutes. What’s not to love!
Hester Casey – Alchemy recently posted Chocolate Truffle Frosting – it’s a meltdown!
No. 15 — April 25th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
interesting… here’s my version ( http://cookmarked.com/recipe.aspx?eID=kHGwP6ADYslIwuhVxc9Zj4A2yEpUG9r7p7cjqGkW158e ) i have it almost every day! i like that you toss in spinach. i usually add spirullina for the greens.
No. 16 — April 25th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Ooh! I love green smoothies and yours looks fabulous! I have seen it featured everywhere too! Great pic! ♥
Katrina @ In Katrina’s Kitchen recently posted Marshmallow Cupcakes Marshmallow Frosting
No. 17 — April 25th, 2011 at 8:23 pm
@Laura – that looks great! I love the addition of coconut water. I know it’s good for you but I don’t really like the taste of it. Adding into a smoothie would be a great way to try it.
No. 18 — April 25th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
@Katrina – thanks!
No. 19 — April 25th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
@Hester – Yes, I’ve found it to be a great, easy breakfast. I’ve had one everyday for the last couple of weeks.
No. 20 — April 27th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
I love putting spinach in smoothies – it’s virtually tasteless but I always FEEL healthy while I’m drinking them. Plus, I just love the color.
No. 21 — August 9th, 2011 at 9:00 pm
interesting, don’t think I’ll make it again though. thanks for the recipe though! Always good to try new things!
No. 22 — August 29th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
I’ve just started making these too! I add one banana, a cup or so of either frozen strawberries or a raspberry/blueberry.marion berry mix from Costco and two big handfulls of fresh spinach and 2 tbs. ground flax seed! Keeps me full all morning!!
No. 23 — July 8th, 2012 at 9:37 am
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try- thanks for sharing!!
No. 24 — July 9th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
[...] Smoothie – Running To The Kitchen 3. Kale Spinach and Pear Smoothie – Joy The Baker 4. Tropical Green Smoothie – 52 Kitchen Adventures 5. Preet’s Special Smoothie – Yyoga + OrganicLives 6. Power [...]
No. 25 — August 14th, 2012 at 4:36 am
Hey loved your post, I want to start on vege smoothie too in the mornings!! Which blender do I have??
No. 26 — August 15th, 2012 at 8:49 am
@Unnati – I have a Vitamix, which are very expensive but the best blender out there! I used to have a KitchenAid, which also got the job done, but wasn’t quite as good.
No. 27 — August 20th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
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No. 28 — October 2nd, 2012 at 4:32 pm
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No. 29 — March 29th, 2013 at 3:54 pm
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No. 30 — April 21st, 2013 at 2:38 pm
I’m just wondering if the chia seeds really thicken up the smoothie? Have you ever used ground chia? I think I’ll try this for breakfast tomorrow!
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