Ten of the Best Green Smoothie Recipes

For the second half of the century, a smoothie beverage meant a sweet beverage made from fruit, fruit juice, ice, and sometimes sugar and milk. Health-conscious people might use soy milk, yoghurt, honey or added protein powder or other supplements. But in the new millennium, smoothies have undergone a revolution. The green smoothie is a much healthier drink. These smoothies are a blend of fresh fruits, leafy greens, and water. Not too bitter and not too sweet, green smoothies are fresh, creamy, and delicious.

Kids love them, and “green-haters” crave them. Quick to make and consume, these tasty smoothies are the definitions of ease and convenience. If green smoothies were the only thing you ever did with raw foods, you’d be making a substantial contribution to your health. Greens are nutritional powerhouses, containing vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, fibre, protein, and even small amounts of Omega 3’s. Greens are the most important food you can eat, but most people don’t eat enough. Here’s where the blender comes in. It “chews” the greens for you, breaking down the cell walls and releasing nutrients. So in a green smoothie, you’re getting all the goodness of greens without anything you don’t want and that is why these ten recipes are so good…

Apple Banana Smoothie – Makes: 3 cups, 1-2 servings

• 1 cup water
• 2 apples, chopped (2 cups)
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 cup chopped spinach or Swiss chard
• 1 cup chopped kale or collard greens

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process on high speed until smooth. Stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator, Apple Banana Smoothie will keep for 24 hours.

Non-Sweet Green Smoothie – Makes: 2 cups, 1 serving

• 2/3 cup water
• 1/4 cucumber, chopped (1/2 cup)
• 1/2 stalk celery, chopped (1/4 cup)
• 1/2 apple, chopped (1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup chopped kale
• 1/2 cup chopped Romaine lettuce
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1/8 lemon, peeled

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process on high speed until smooth. Stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator, Non-Sweet Green Smoothie will keep for 24 hours.

Blueberry Green Smoothie – Makes: 2 cups, 1 serving

• 2/3 cup water
• 1/2 orange, peeled and sectioned
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 cup chopped spinach or kale

Place all the ingredients in a blender and processor on high speed until smooth. Serve immediately.

Peachy Apple Green Smoothie – Makes: 2 cups, 1 serving

• 2/3 cup water
• 1 apple, chopped (1 cup)
• 1 cup chopped peaches, fresh or frozen or thawed
• 1/2 cup chopped romaine lettuce
• 1/2 cup chopped kale

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process on high speed until smooth. Stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator, Peachy Apple Green Smoothie will keep for 24 hours.

Minty Green Smoothie – Makes: 2 1/2 cups, 1-2 servings

• 2/3 cup water
• 2 apples, chopped (2 cups)
• 1 orange, peeled and sectioned (1/2 cup)
• 2 cups chopped Swiss chard or bok choy
• 1/2 cup fresh mint

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process on high speed until smooth. Stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator, Minty Green Smoothie will keep for 24 hours.

Creamy Berry Green Smoothie – Makes: 2 cups, 1 serving

• 4 oz frozen organic mixed berries (1 cup)
• 1/2 ripe banana
• 1 cup chopped Swiss chard, spinach, and/or kale
• 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
• 1 tablespoon raw vegan protein powder or ground hemp seeds
• 1/4 cup hemp milk
• 1/4 cup organic apple juice
• 1/4 cup water, plus additional to thin if necessary

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process on high speed until smooth. Serve immediately.

Pineapple Green Smoothie – Makes: 3 cups, 1-2 servings

• 2/3 cup water
• 2 cups chopped pineapple
• 1 1/2 cups chopped kale, collard greens, or dandelion greens

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process on high speed until smooth. Serve immediately.

Pear Parsley Smoothie – Makes: 2 cups, 2 servings

• 2/3 cup water
• 2 cups chopped pears (2 pears)
• 1 cup chopped parsley

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process on high speed until smooth. Stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator, Pear Parsley Smoothie will keep for 24 hours

Fall Green Smoothie – Makes: 2 cups, 1-2 servings

• 2/3 cup water
• 1 pear, chopped (1 cup)
• 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup red grapes
• 1 cup chopped kale

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process on high speed until smooth. Stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator, Fall Green Smoothie will keep for 24 hours.

Garden Vegetable Smoothie – Makes: 4 cups, 2 servings

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 zucchini, chopped (3/4 cups)
• 1/2 cucumber, chopped (3/4 cups)
• 1 tomato, chopped (1/2 cup)
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1/2 apple, chopped (1/2 cup)
• 2 cups chopped Swiss chard, bok choy, and/or spinach
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process on high speed until smooth. Stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator, Garden Vegetable Smoothie will keep for 24 hours.