Overcome the fear of green smoothies
Have you ever been nervous about green smoothies? Me too. But now I’m feeling as though I’ve just been on a green smoothie crash course. With patchy results in the past, I dived into a week of mainly green breakfast smoothies for Jumpstart15. I used a combination of Pinterest for general inspiration and what I had from the Farmers’ Market and in the fruit bowl. Instead of being afraid, I just thought about the type of flavours and textures that appealed to me each morning. All* were absolutely delicious – I feel I passed with flying colours and can now take off my green smoothie L-plates and throw them in the bin forever (the recycle bin of course).
Will I survive on a smoothie?
All of these smoothies saw me through until lunchtime without hunger pangs. Each recipe made two small or one large glassful (give or take). I still had a cup of tea in the morning and then drank one glass of smoothie out in the garden. The weather here in Dubai is super gorgeous right now – sorry people in Europe. I sipped the other one slowly at my desk. My health took a dip towards the end of the week which is when I gravitated to an oaty, fruity recipe but the last vibrant Thai-inspired one put a spring back in my step going round the Farmers’ Market today stocking up with super-fresh veg for this week.
Taste good greenery
Don’t just take my word for it. KP totally scrunched his nose up as he went past – and then when implored and cajoled to taste one, sipped it; his expression changed completely and he then asked for a glassful. I’ve tried to keep away from too much fruit as I think it’s better eaten raw otherwise you load up on more sugars than you are expecting.
A week of smoothie goodness
Tips: If you are going to try this just see how you feel and taste as you go along. I don’t have a sweet tooth and love sharp citrus flavours but you might find this needs softening with a spoonful of raw honey or a few pitted dates. I hate cold drinks but I’m probably in the minority. You can add some ice in your blender or at the end plus you can use frozen fruit (great use for over-ripe bananas). I kept the stalks on my kale and they blended fine. If you avoid dairy just use nut milks and leave out the yoghurt in some of the recipes.
Here’s a week’s worth of great tasting green smoothies. All the pics were taken on my iphone 4S and posted on Instagram:
Day 1: Kale and orchard fruit smoothie – This was a great start to the week. Try this one and you’ll be converted. 1 organic apple, cored |handful of green grapes | 1 pear, cored | 25g organic local kale | 1 organic local cucumber | juice of 1/2 lime | 175 ml almond milk (or any milk) | dash of Balqees raw honey | blend well until smooth in Vitamix or power blender
Day 2: Kale, lime and basil smoothie – Not just great in a Jo Malone perfume (excepting the brassica of course!) 1 ripe banana| a few green grapes | 1 organic apple, cored | 1 pear, cored | 2 small organic local cucumbers | 25 g (about 4 leaves) organic local kale | juice 1 lime | 6 fresh basil leaves (from garden) 250 ml fresh orange juice | blend well in Vitamix or power blender
Day 3: Greengrocer smoothie – This one had a lovely savoury taste from the celery leaves and a gorgeous fragrance. You could use a celery stick if yours isn’t leafy. 1 ripe banana | 1 apple | 1 pear | 4 kale leaves | small bunch celery leaves | 200 ml almond milk | blend well in Vitamix or power blender
Day 4: Earth mother smoothie 1 small organic carrot | 1 pear, cored | 4 organic kale leaves | 2 small organic cucumbers | a slice of ginger | juice of one lime | juice of 1 lemon | 1 tablespoon raw honey | 200 ml almond milk | blitz until smooth in Vitamix or power blender *I reduced the amount of carrot from my first attempt as found it too earthy with 3
Day 5: Oat, kale and raspberry smoothie Don’t judge a smoothie by its colour. Needing comfort and warmth? This creamy, oaty smoothie will fit the bill as it’s very easy to drink. 75g frozen raspberries | 40g oats | 1 ripe banana | 3 dates (pitted) | 200ml milk (cow/goat/almond/your choice) 2 kale leaves | 2 tablespoons yoghurt | blitz until smooth in Vitamix or power blender
Day 6: Warm chocolate smoothie When you feel like you need a warm blanket this smoothie is quite indulgent. No veg just fruit. If you like cold drinks use frozen banana or add some ice. I let it run in the Vitamix so it was ever so slightly warm…. it had a hot chocolate vibe about it. 1 banana (frozen if you like) | 2 pitted dates | 1 organic apple, cored | 1 pear, cored | 250 ml milk/nut milk | 50g oatmeal | 2 tablespoons yoghurt (optional) | 1 tablespoon raw cacao | small handful nuts (I used cashews) | blitz well until smooth in Vitamix or power blender. If you want some greenery add a couple of kale leaves or a small handful of washed spinach.
Day 7: Thai-inspired smoothie Super refreshing with a cleansing and warming hit of ginger to fight off the dreaded lurgies. 1 large slice pineapple | 4 organic local baby cucumbers | large tablespoon fresh coriander (cilantro) | large handful green grapes (not shown) | juice of 1 lime | sliver fresh ginger | 1 tablespoon yoghurt | 150 ml milk/nut milk/coconut water | blitz until smooth in Vitamix or power blender (add ice if you like cold drinks)
For more inspiration for Jumpstart15 visit Kellie on Food to Glow, Jacqueline of Tinned Tomatoes, Sarah of Maison Cupcake, Kate of Veggie Desserts, Nazima and Pierre of Franglais Kitchen, Michelle of Utterly Scrummy, Helen of Fuss Free Flavours and Ren Behan. See the juices, smoothies and soups that Elizabeth created this week and an easy 3-day juice feast from Monica of Smarter Fitter.
If you are joining in let us know with the #Jumpstart15 hashtag on your social channel of choice. Or just leave a comment below.
Are you into smoothies? Feel the fear of the green? Or would you rather have bacon and eggs?!
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My Custard Pie 
Thank you for sharing I want to try them all. I love your blog
These photos are amazing and from a phone!!! Wow, beautiful! I would love to start drinking these green smoothies. Thank you!
These all look fabulous Sally! I sadly don’t own a blender that is strong enough for things like carrots but I will certainly try some of the other ones. Good for you!
I’m really loving your recent posts Sally – they give such a refreshing insight into your daily life, the simpler things. Very inspiring 🙂
Oh, I have never feared green smoothies but I definitely don’t make them often enough, thank you for sharing this!
Green smoothies are the BEST! 😉
i can hardly start my morning without a smoothie, i have been having one every day for years. these recipes are wonderful x
My difficulty is that I don’t like acidity, I find I need a sweetener, whether fruit or honey. I do like herbs in with fruit though! #lostcause
My dad makes a massive batch of green smoothie every morning, and everyone splits it. It’s amazing how awake you feel after drinking it! I’ll have to send him the link to this post, or maybe Pin it.
https://kamrynthewanderer.wordpress.com/
I’m yet to try my first green smoothie! This is definitely tempting me!
I have a smoothie most mornings for breakfast so I am anxious to try yours.
As delicious as some of these flavour combinations sound, I think you need to be a morning person to enjoy this kind of breakfast. I need hot, comforting food for breakfast like porridge or eggs to stop me crawling back under the covers, and without the noise of the blender. Maybe at lunchtime!
I was really skeptical too – but when I realized my diet was dominated by coffee and wine, I figured I should give them a try. 🙂 Last year I bought an app called the 30 day green smoothie challenge – it has a different green smoothie recipe every day and I was very pleasantly surprised! None was bad and many were super delicious. Probably my biggest take away was that spinach and kale really don’t change the taste of a banana smoothie at all – so really there’s no excuse to throw some in!
Fantastic post! Yes, I had some green smoothie flops too at the beginning but once you get some great recipes it starts to get delicious!
Can I say this is one of the brightest and the most creative post ever? I love it. Actually I do fear green smoothies! I super love the quote – wake up and be awesome.
Loving the sound of that thai smoothie… fab post.
I am the one who dislikes the idea of green smoothies but have been going through your photos on Instagram and now, this post is super inspirational. May be I’ll give them a shot since these recipes are so great! Lovely reviving green color of your smoothies, Sally.
I’m going to give these all a try. Thanks for the information.
Mmm, looks amazing – kale smoothies, how uber- healthy is that! I may have to ditch the old fashioned juicer & treat myself to a smoothie maker.
I prefer green smoothies now. I never thought I would, but they are definitely my favourite and everyone I persuade to try them, love them too. Hope you are feeling better now and thanks for linking to me.
Ich koche für meinen Sohn und für mich, Benjamin ist 15 und verschmäht jedes Gemüse. Die letzten Monate bin ich auch faul gewesen Gemüse auf den Tisch zu stellen.Es machte mir keinen Spaß nur für mich Gemüse zu kaufen, drei Tage dran essen zu müssen da es auf einmal zu viel für mich war. Es gab Zeiten da konnte ich nicht ohne wenigstens einmal am Tag Gemüse, Fenchel ,Brokkoli,Blumenkohl, egal was auch immer,zu essen, mir schmeckte es. und ich war gesund, zumindest fühlte ich mich gesund.
Ich möchte jetzt ernsthaft umstellen auf Smoothies, die ja noch gesünder sein müssen, da sie nicht verkocht sind. In Hoffnung meinem Sohn noch etwas gesundes mit zu geben fürs Leben. Es liest sich so lecker und fruchtig,ich bin gespannt ob ich das an meinen Jungen hinbekomme 😉
Keep going with your son – my daughter eventually came round to vegetables.
I really enjoyed this post and I loved al the vibrant green photos!
Thanks for sharing. Do check out my blog too
I haven’t been a smoothie drinker, but I’ve been adding them into my diet a couple of times a week. They’re so lovely when the weather is piping hot and I have glut of fresh fruit and veg. 🙂
I do like a smoothie, but I think I’m probably a bacon and eggs man. All of the smoothies look delicious. The only one I’ve ever tried making and really not enjoyed was a beetroot one. I think it might have been a bit of a mental block about the colour… Hope you’re well!
http://www.davidgriffen.co.uk/food-photography-blog
oh I am loving your posts Sally, cook the week and now this. Smoothie is my go to each morning and I have been struggling with introducing variety…end up drinking a similar combo each morning…this will help 🙂
Love this massively useful and beautifully put together post. As for the last smoothie, I thought of doing the warm thing too but balked as it just seemed odd. But you’ve convinced me. All of your ideas look fantastic, Sally.
Looks Delicious!!! I need try this smoothie. Also -really cute blog! You should check out ours too.
Beautiful, convincing post. I love veg-packed smoothies. Pinned and stumbled.