Tropical Green Smoothie — I promise this healthy green smoothie doesn’t taste healthy at all! It tastes like a virgin piña colada that just happens to be bright green and good for you.
The BEST Green Smoothie Recipe
Sometimes strange looking things taste amazing. If you close your eyes, it tastes like a beautiful, tropical, sunny beach vacation.
You’re thinking, no it doesn’t. It tastes like bitter, blended up green stuff. But I assure you, it does not. Celery, kale, mizuna greens, chard, dandelion greens, and cucumbers have very strong and dominating flavors, which is why I don’t use them in smoothies. Spinach, however, is a different story.
I find spinach to be the leafy green equivalent of iceberg lettuce; totally mild and harmless. Plus, when it’s coupled with a handful of frozen mango, pineapple, banana, almond milk, vanilla, and a bit of sweetener, you can’t even taste it.
I promise. Even though this is healthy, it doesn’t taste it. It tastes like a green Pina Colada.
The color is much more jarring than the flavor. Sometimes plants are unexpectedly bold and vibrant in all their chlorophyll-filled glory.
My 6-year old bounces off the walls after drinking one of these healthy green smoothies. Some parents claim their children get hyper after too much sugar. Well, mine can eat chocolate chip cookies and candy and not really do much. But give her one of these green smoothies, and she’s talking a mile a minute, running around the house, laughing, and giggling.
I’m glad to see plants have that effect on her. They really are so powerful.
This tropical spinach keeps me full for awhile and between the almond milk, mango, pineapple, and banana, it’s tropical, sweet, and creamy.
After drinking a green smoothie, I feel invigorated, refreshed and recharged, and my head is clear and my energy is pure. Coffee wakes me up and gives me energy, but it’s a bolt of semi-jittery energy versus clean, sustained energy.
I love that this tastes like a virgin pina colada. It just happens to be green.
What’s in This Green Smoothie?
To make this healthy spinach smoothie, you’ll need:
- Frozen spinach
- Frozen pineapple
- Frozen mango
- Banana
- Strawberries
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
- Sweetener of choice
How to Make a Green Smoothie
After you have everything in your blender canister, blend until smooth and creamy.
Since I have to wash my blender anyway, I make double the amount I need. I fill freezer-safe platstic cups with the extra portions, freeze them, and when I’m ready for a smoothie for a snack or quick breafast, nuke the cup for a minute.
It saves time not having to remake and then rewash my blender. Having them ready and grab-able prevents me from reaching for cookies, which are equally grab-able.
Can I Add Different Fruits to My Green Smoothie?
There’s no wrong way to make a healthy green smoothie. Substitute any fruit you like. I use frozen because it’s cheaper and that way I don’t have to add ice, which waters it down, but use fresh if that’s what you like. Strawberries, blueberries, mixed berry blends, peaches, and nectarines are favorites.
What Type of Milk Should I Use?
For the milk, try cow’s, goat, soy, rice, almond, coconut, Coconut Milk Kefir, or Homemade Horchata. Or add a dollop of yogurt, Greek yogurt, or frozen yogurt.
Do I Have to Add Spinach?
If you don’t like spinach, try romaine lettuce. Both are very mild and neutral when blended. I buy frozen spinach for the same reason I buy frozen fruit; it’s cheaper, and I can buy in bulk and keep it in my freezer for a rainy day.
How Should I Sweeten Green Smoothies?
I sweeten my smoothies just a bit, but it’s optional. Use agave, honey, maple syrup, granulated sugar, stevia or your favorite sweetener. Sweet Medjool dates are nature’s candy and also work well.
Tips for Making the Best Green Smoothie
A tip for bananas is that I peel over-ripe ones, break them into chunks, and keep them in a big Ziplock in my freezer, making it easy to toss a few chunks into smoothies. When blended, they add plant-based creaminess that’s unparalleled to anything else. Bananas are naturally sweet, inexpensive, and readily available. But if you don’t like bananas or are allergic, simply omit.
If you want to boost the staying power of the smoothie, add fat. Coconut oil, coconut butter, peanut butter, almond/cashew/sunflower seed, or protein powder.
Add coconut flakes, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, or your favorite smoothie add-ins’ to either the blender canister before blending or garnish smoothie with them after blending.
I add homemade vanilla extract to almost everything I make, including smoothies. Extracts like coconut extract, orange extract, or lemon extract are also fun to play around with in smoothies.
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Tropical Green Smoothie
I promise this healthy green smoothie doesn't taste healthy at all! It tastes like a virgin piña colada that just happens to be green and good for you.
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen spinach
- 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1 medium ripe banana, peeled (previously frozen in chunks is ideal)
- 1 cup strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or a favorite berry, optional
- 1 cup milk (cow’s, almond, soy, coconut, kefir, horchata)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- sweetener, to taste (sugar, agave, stevia, honey, maple syrup, Medjool dates)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in the canister of a Vita-Mix or blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately.
- Pour extra portions into freezer-safe cups and freeze for up to 1 month, thawing before serving (or microwaving for about 30 seconds)
Notes
- All ingredients and amounts are to taste. Use seasonal fruits or vary the quantities of fruits, to taste. I use frozen fruit and prefer it to fresh because it keeps the smoothie cold, without adding ice which waters it down. Frozen is cheaper and I can buy in bulk and keep in the freezer and use when needed.
- Optionally, consider adding a scoop of protein powder, dollop of yogurt for extra protein; add fat for staying power such as coconut oil, coconut butter, peanut butter, almond/cashew/sunflower seed/Cookie Butter. Blend with juice to increase the amount of Vitamin C.
- Add coconut flakes, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, or your favorite smoothie add-ins to either the blender canister before blending or garnish smoothie with them after blending.
- Recipe is vegan (use vegan milk, avoid honey), gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free as written. Take care any ingredients used and added optionally are suitable for your dietary needs.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 743Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 506mgCarbohydrates: 152gFiber: 26gSugar: 101gProtein: 29g
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes:
Thick and Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie — This vegan, gluten-free smoothie is thick, rich, and tastes like drinkable chocolate-peanut butter fudge.
Skinny Pina Colada Smoothie — This Piña Colada Smoothie requires just four ingredients and is naturally vegan and gluten-free. It makes for a quick breakfast or a delicious poolside treat!
Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie — This Frozen Fruit Smoothie is packed with berries, strawberry yogurt, and cashew milk. Smoothie recipes with frozen fruit are the best because they don’t need any ice to reach the perfect consistency!
Strawberry Banana Pineapple Smoothie — This Strawberry Banana Pineapple Smoothie contains no added sugar and won’t derail your diet. Sweet strawberries, creamy bananas, and a splash of pineapple juice helps brighten the smoothie and gives it a subtle tropical vibe!
Berry Greens Vanilla Smoothie — If you’re trying to sneak in more greens, this green smoothie is an easy way to do so!
Strawberry Pineapple Banana Lava Flow Smoothie — Fast, easy, healthy, refreshing, and tastes wonderful. It’s so creamy and tropical-tasting and it looks cool.
The 15 Best Healthy Smoothies — Ring in the New Year with this collection of fifteen easy, healthy smoothie recipes. Learn how to make healthy smoothies for every day of the week!
Tried this Tropical Green Smoothie last weekend, this was amazing. My members love this one, thanks for sharing this one with us.
This Tropical Green Smoothie seems delicious , super excited to try this one. Thanks for sharing this one with us, will love to try this.
Love this delicious Tropical Green Smoothie, seems super delicious. Super excited to try this one, thanks for sharing with us.
This Tropical Green Smoothie seems super amazing . Super excited to try this unique recipe, thanks for sharing with us . Will love to try this one.
this “Tropical Green Smoothie” looks so health friendly, will surely gonna try this, thanks for sharing recipe and instructions with us.
I made this shake this morning and it was delicious! Also for anyone else on WW wondering about the points, I entered them this morning and with the addition of Greek yogurt it was only 5 points. Just make sure your frozen fruit is frozen in water, not sugar water.
I have a big bag of fresh spinach in my fridge I need to use up. How much fresh spinach would equal two cups frozen?
I would just use about 3 heaping handfuls, as much as you can grab, and then go from there.
Or make this! One of my faves and uses spinach https://www.averiecooks.com/thai-chicken-coconut-curry/ as well as any of the Related Recipes, they have spinach or you can add it.
After you drank the urban remedy for 6 days, what did the following days weeks consist of? What did you drink or eat after that week? Does doing the remedy help you lose weight?
I can’t really exercise due to an injury. But I walk a lot.
I’ve done many juice cleanses over the years and after them I try to eat light, plant-based foods. Salads, lots of fruit and veggies, etc. Everyone’s experience with juicing is different but no, I don’t tend to lose weight on them. A pound or two maybe but nothing significant.
Definitely going to try this. Recipe added to our Pinterest :P
Regards,
Tiina
Is there a reason mine is dark green and I used the exact same ingredients as you? Very weird!
Sometimes spinach does that when you blend it. It has to do with it oxidizing (much like the way a banana will turn brown over time). I wouldn’t worry about the color as long as you’re enjoying the taste.
I so loved this recipe and couldn’t wait to try it. However, before I did I entered it on our Weight Watcher’s recipe builder. Whoa!! It has 21 points. That is 3/4 of my daily allowed points. SO, while it sounds great it is not low calorie…I am so bummed!
I’m not familiar with how the WW points system works but it seems odd that some fruit and spinach would have that many points. The recipe does make a very hearty sized smoothie, which you could probably divide into two portions. And/or eliminate or reduce some of the fruit if you think that’s the culprit. I truly don’t understand how fruit and spinach gets a bad rap on WW though!
where can i buy the frozen spinach i dont think any stores near me have it, can i just buy regular and freeze?
Frozen spinach has been around forever. Trust me, check the freezer case of your grocery store, they’ll have it. It’s what women were making spinach dip with in 1950 :)
This recipe is truely awesome. In our house it’s called ‘frog drink’ for the kids but my husband asks me to make him a frog everyday. The only thing I stopped in to say was that it isn’t green, if you add the berries. Without the berries, its a rich green, similar to the pictures here. Once you add the berries, it’s more like army green or brown. We call it, toad drink, and it’s no big deal for us but for readers who want it to look vibrantly green, leave out the berries.
Glad your kids are enjoying it!
Would it still taste awesome if i replace the spinach with butterhead lettuce instead? im trying to finish off all the lettuce in my fridge and im tired of having it as salad..
Go for it. Butter lettuce is really mellow and mild so you’ll hardly even notice it I bet! Enjoy!
Hi there!
This smoothie looks great and I can’t wait to try it! Which frozen berries did you use in your photos here to get the green color?
Thanks! :)
I used strawberries.
How did your smoothie come out so beautiful and green? Mine is grey with specs of green in it and I followed the recipe with the exception of using fresh fruits and spinach that I pre-froze in a bag.
You know sometimes my smoothies come out like you’re talking about…gray and murky. The taste is fine, the color just isn’t that pretty.
I find that when I add certain fruits (especially berries of any kind) + greens, I get that shade you’re talking about. Berries will tend to do that. With pineapple and bananas and spinach, I always get vibrant green.
Enthusiastic follow-up now that I’ve made one batch.
Even my boring “fridge is empty” combo was good (just bananas, spinach, a little almond milk, a little maple syrup, a little vanilla). I froze half, and I think it was even better the second day — I think the flavors developed a bit even tho it was frozen for much of the time.
This week I’ll go tropical, which I bet will be out of this world — and THANKS A MILLION! I love that I’m having spinach for breakfast …
Glad you’re loving spinach for breakfast and the smoothie! :)
I appreciate the recipe — hand trouble means that I need the convenience of frozen fruits/veg — so thanks very much. I’m a little surprised, tho, that you suggested substituting romaine, which is far less nourishing than spinach.
For those who can’t quite get used to spinach, may I suggest instead that they use far less spinach / far more fruit the 1st time they make a tropical green, and then gradually alter the ratio (= up the spinach).
Thanks again.
I am very new to the Ninja System. I got the whole big set for my birthday and I thought I would be going crazy with it by now. I have only made 3 smoothies so far. I am a person who doesn’t always go by recipes exactly. I don’t have an ice maker so I was thinking I could use frozen fruit instead of ice and either water or almond milk. Big failure. For one thing, I used blueberries and I forgot how they can stain EVERYTHING! I need help with the ratio of liquid to fresh fruit and liquid to frozen fruit. I don’t know – I am just hoping you can help me.
Follow the recipe I gave here; it works. Or any of these work very well https://www.averiecooks.com/category/beverages
While I absolutely ADORE all your desserts, I like it even more when you post healthy recipes- because they taste equally as delicious and you feel so good sipping or eating the product!
I made this green smoothie this morning and it was SO good!! You’re totally right, you can hardly even taste the spinach!
Although mine is green, it isn’t as vibrant as yours! How do you do that? It’s gorgeous! Also, when you add strawberries does it still stay green?
Sometimes strawberries can make it a little muddy looking, it just depends. I use frozen green spinach from Trader Joe’s and just add it frozen. And that’s the color it comes out of my blender!
Hi there, I literally just made the tropical green smoothie, I don’t understand where you got the bright green color from because mine is more of like a mint green color. Anyways, it still tastes delicious, cant even taste the spinach which is nice because I hate spinach!
Wow Averie! That color is STUNNING! Gorgeous shots, and I LOVE green smoothies! Can’t wait to try your version!
Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to try this. :)
Wow, thanks for the delicious smoothie!
http://www.dieetuniversiteit.nl/afvallen-gezond-groene-smoothies-recepten/
I tried the spinach smoothie for the first time, today, and it tasted like more!
Thanks for trying it!
Averie, when you say a cup or two of frozen spinach, are you talking about packing the spinach into the measuring cup? I made this with a scoop of vanilla (and white) protein powder and it was unbelievably good, but it also wasn’t anywhere near the green color of yours. It tasted far better than the last green smoothie I made, but I also want to be sure i’m getting enough veggies in there!
I basically take a frozen bag of spinach which is rock hard and usually compacted, and chisel off two large hunks of spinach with a knife, and they’re size of baseballs or slightly bigger, and put those into the Vita. I don’t measure but instead just go for big baseballs. My spinach is always very frozen and hard as a rock and it’s like dealing with ice practically so I just eyeball it. Based on what you wrote, I would say at double what you used and go from there!
I’ve been making green smoothies for a little while now, and am wondering about your use of frozen spinach. I have only ever used fresh.
Are you using a block of spinach, and breaking that up in the blender?
Have you also tried freezing your own spinach fro the garden?
I just buy a bag of frozen spinach and rip off a softball-sized chunk and put it in the Vita with everything else. Super, super easy. I live in an urban condo, no garden. It’s soooooo much cheaper for me to use frozen and more convenient!
I have also been wondering about this you just made me super excited and will try frozen. I always bought fresh but it would go bad quickly and I already use frozen fruit which I love so will try frozen spinach :).
I actually prefer it frozen because that way the smoothie is already nice and cold!
Popping over from Nikki’s link party. This looks absolutely amazing! I love the vibrant green colour =) Thanks for all the substitution ideas, especially to make it nut-free/dairy-free. Lovely photos too!
Thanks for stopping by from Nikki’s. Love her :) And glad you like this post and the ideas!
I love juicing! Thank you for the great recipe!
That is a seriously green smoothie!!! I love it though! I use spinach all the time in smoothies, but I must not use enough to get that awesome color! I need to try the mango and pineapple next time!!!
And using frozen actually gives more vibrancy than fresh I think!
Wow, that is the most incredible green I’ve ever seen!!! Love smoothies, and like you I hate the cleanup. But I’d risk it for this kind of energy boost :)
And it’s not even doctored up :) It’s all plants, all real!
Smoothie (vitamix) cleanup isn’t bad…it’s the Juicer cleanup that is atrocious. I love juices but that cleanup is just insane! Thanks for stopping by, Dervla!
I am going to have to try one of these. I could really use that kind of energy boost. Sugar doesn’t do anything for me either, so maybe this will. I’ve been dragging a little with the endless winter weather here. By the way, the color of that is amazing!
You and I are sugar-immune. I mean that honestly, too. I think some people’s bodies process it exceptionally well and they aren’t as effected :) I for example though cannot process salt. At all.
I can’t process salt either. I have actually at least temporarily stopped eating out because every time I do I feel terrible for a day or two after because the food is so salt laden, even when I ask for no salt. It’s kind of a bummer :(
Ah, green smoothies. :) You said it right, there is no wrong way to make one! I agree, spinach is the way to go, as are frozen bananas and other frozen fruit. It’s been getting much warmer out lately, which makes for warmer workouts, which makes smoothies extra refreshing! I’ve been rolling with a spinach/banana+peach+strawberry combo all week.
Gorgeous color! My smoothies usually turn out greenish and by that I really mean brown. My kids are so grossed out by the color they don’t want to drink it! I need to try this and change their minds!!
I think sometimes fresh spinach is more prone to doing than than frozen? I don’t know why that happens…some sort of oxidation reaction, like how an avocado or banana turn brown after being exposed to air…who knows. But yes, this one is nice and vibrant and my 6 y.o. and hubs ask for it!
I’ve been making a similar smoothie lately, minus the banana, and it is my new favorite. And I can’t wait to hear more about your juice cleanse! I’ve been thinking about doing that myself, but it’s a little bit scary. Because, well, I love food. :)
It’s been a very long 3 days..I won’t lie but I am almost done! :)
This smoothie is gorgeous – but green is my favourite colour, so I’m slightly biased. ;)
Maybe if I swapped healthy smoothies for my usual late breakfast biscotti, I could be ready for swimsuit season!? :P
I didn’t know green is your fave color! Well, how convenient that it’s a healthy color :)
Ummmm, you make green liquid look beautiful. It’s ridiculous. The green is…soooo green! Bright and vibrant. I just want to dive into the cup!
I have been making “bubble juice” for breakfast since my kids were young. They would call it “bubble juice” because it would make bubbles in the VitaMix while mixing. I add psyllium,chia,flax and protein powder along with spinach, kale and whatever fruit is around but apples or pineapple is a must to tone down kale. The VitaMix is easy to clean by just rinsing, adding a little water and a squirt of dishsoap. Turn the VitaMix on for a minute, rinse the soap out and it is clean. By the way, my kids are 38 and 40 years old and make their own “bubble juice”.
What a sweet and fun story! Bubble juice – and now they’re making their own! The fact they’re 38 & 40 and you had a Vita when they were growing up just proves what a great appliance they’ve always been. Glad you’ve been on board with bubble juice for decades!
I love the idea of a juice cleanse. I’m going to look into it! I could use some bettering myself! Your smoothie looks amazing! I love tropical and pineapple, mango and banana are a fantastic combination!!I can’t wait to hear more about your cleanse!
When I make smoothies I use the pineapple chunks from TJ’s but half the time I eat half of the bag before I make the smoothie! OOPS! Yes spinach is great in smoothies, kale and chard not so much!
I know those bags aren’t really that big and I love pineapple too :)
Wow, that green color is GORGEOUS! Yum.
I was JUSTTTT thinking about my sugar consumption on my way from work today and decided I need to ‘reset’ as well. I’ve been juicing and making smoothies this past month (not as meal supplements) but just in addition to my regular meals. There is nothing like the energy you get from some fresh juice! Cleanup has set my juicer aside this week.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the cleanse after you finish!
Resets are good. I have to say I’ve never done anything quite this formal but from time to time I really try HARD to chill a bit on how much I’m ingesting with sugar, sweets, etc. I plan to do a post about it in a week or so, after the dust settles and I have time to reflect.
Not going to lie, that actually looks GOOD! Maybe its because the color is a bright green and not a pale green. Either way, I’ve been wanting to make a smoothie with spinach in it, and this looks like a winner!
Well glad you approve of it! I also am not a fan of pale green smoothies. (or too dark) I like the vibrant ones!
Such a vividly green smoothie! It’s refreshing to see this among all of the treats that Easter brings along…not that I don’t love treats :)
I totally know what you mean! And I saw your interview on Carrie’s site and loved reading it!
This is a very intensive color… But if your husband says that it gives him an energy, I should try it. I’m a bit sick and I need an energy :)
I am newly obsessed with a green smoothie. This version sounds SO good. It’ll be great for cooling off in the summer!
Great… now I’m thirsty! ;-)
The reason I don’t juice is because I hate the clean-up. My juicer is enormous and cleaning it is a bi*(H. :-)
Amen to the cleanup. Ugh.
Wow Averie, the color is exceptional! I love everything you included in this smoothie: a wonderful way to get my family to eat spinach thats for sure!
I love making smoothies with bananas, oatmeal, almond milk, stevia and PB2! Its a powdered peanut butter that you add water too and it has a lot less calories than regular peanut butter. Don’t necessarily like it alone on bread but its a nice addition to smoothies or oatmeal.
I love how gorgeously vibrant green that is! A great reminder of how beautiful natural “food dye” can be. Delicious! p.s. is it really weird that I want to add rum to it ;)
Not at all…that would be a pina colada! And it’s exactly what it tastes like!
This eye popping green color is mesmerizing!
We just got a VitaMix, and now I feel like a whole other world has opened up! Love the bright green color and tropical flavors!
Oh I remember that feeling…a whole new WORLD has opened to you. Enjoy!
Averie, I’m not even kidding – as I was reading this this morning, I was drinking a green smoothie! Spinach, frozen peaches, bananas, strawberries, vanilla extract, greek yogurt, and milk. It was perfection! I add about 2 cups of spinach and I am always in awe that I can’t even taste it! I need to add pineapples and mangoes to my next smoothie – I LOVE mangoes! This has to be the greenest smoothie ever – it’s just beautiful! All of your smoothies are.
Not surprising that we both enjoy our smoothies…with very similar ingredients! And yes, try mango. It adds a slight creaminess, almost like a banana! Thanks for the photo compliments :)
WOW! This is a stunning green smoothie. The color alone makes me want to drink it. llllllllllll
I love the tropical flavors in this smoothie, Averie!
This looks so awesome! I love the bright bold green color! I’ve been wanting to get in on the green smoothie bandwagon but I’m so nervous about tasting the spinach! Everyone says that you can’t but it still makes me anxious! I’m just going to have to give it a try and see I guess!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.blogspot.com
No, it tastes nothing like spinach, actually! It tastes like all the fruit I used!
This may be the greenest smoothie I’ve ever seen. I’m sure all that delicious fruit balances the earthiness of the spinach. Yum!
Totally balances it! And believe it or not, I really didn’t even doctor up the green. It was so green I had to actually tone it down!
I am loving this bright color! What a fresh, delicious smoothie :)
Wooow… these colors are incredible and I bet it super delicious!!!!!!!! I’ve been so lazy lately, need to make smoothies more often again!!! By the way, I’m hosting a link up and would love to see your recipe there!
http://dcinstyle.com/
Oh my gosh! Is this color for real?! Looks nothing like the usual green smoothies I have been seeing on the web. I want to dive head first into this smoothie! Pinning!
And I really didn’t even doctor up the green. It was so green I had to actually tone it down. Some of the smoothies I think you see are because the food oxidizes (turns brown) after awhile..I dunno. Or maybe b/c I use frozen not fresh spinach so it’s greener? But they always look like this for me. Thanks for the pin!
Look at how vibrantly green that smoothie is, wow! I love smoothies but right now it is way too cold for a smoothie, 16 degrees today, brr!
Yikes that is soooo chilly!
This looks awesome! I seriously cannot get over how bright green this is! I love it :).
Gotta love spinach!
All of your beautiful smoothies look dee-liciious! I would probably have to avoid this one, because knowing me, I would inevitably end up with a trail of bright green down my shirt, haha! I would have to leave out the spinach ;)
Some Snapshots Blog
Jess
Ugh, I’m in desperate need for a sugar/fat/carb cleanse. I have been SO bad lately, especially with my trip to New York. And honestly, for how creative I can be when it comes to desserts, I am SO not creative when it comes to smoothies for some reason. I always do the same thing: yogurt, banana, and a couple strawberries. Good, but boring. I love that you used spinach in this and am actually shocked it doesn’t taste spinach-y. And I REALLY love that it tastes like a pina colada. You know how I feel about coconut :) I’m so buying this for next week’s breakfast smoothies!
Yay! Well LMK how it goes. A bag of TJ’s frozen spinach is about 1.69 and I get a huge Vita cansister of smoothies out of half a bag, which I then freeze/nuke for later so I am only washing the Vita once every 5 days or so. On busy school mornings with a child it’s the last thing I have time for! And you cannot taste the spianch at all. If my 6 yr old and hubs ASK for them, trust me, it doesnt taste like a vegetable. And as dessert bloggers, the constant influx of sugar and treats is just…ridiculous. Had to press my own reset button :)
Now this is a good looking green smoothie for a change! I love that it is so bright, intensely green. Pale or super dark green drinks are just too unappetizing for me.
I agree! I like the VIBRANT green. The dark usually means kale or chard (not enjoyable for me in smoothies) and pale can mean…wimpy or tons of nuts added. Nice, but not what I am going for usually.
Its so green, I love it! My coffee addiction has gotten bad so I have been wanting to find natural ways to get a energy boost. This recipe looks like it might be it. Plus if it taste like a virgin Pina Colada I’m all in.
My coffee addiction is horrible. It does give me energy; however, I won’t lie I still have to have caffeine or I get headaches! It’s not an energy thing but a headache thing…lol
I am totally jealous of your glass straws by the way ;)
I ran a giveaway for them about a month ago, too! But Ive had some for 5+ yrs. They last forever!
These smoothies are so beautiful! Great photos! Cheers!
I’m going to make kay one of these tonight! I got out of the habit of doing it and they’re so darn delicious! Banana totally makes them!
They are such a great thing for kids, too. You can really pack in so much nutrition that they otherwise wouldn’t get probably!
For some reason, I just can’t get past the green. I can eat spinach and green veggies, I know how good the green smoothie is for me, I just can’t do it! Soooo in order to hide the tint, I have a couple of tricks!
I add frozen cherries. The red easily hides the green and makes it taste delicious.
I add some cocoa powder. That doesn’t really hide the green; it makes it rather green and dingy looking. So I also put in some peppermint extract! That gives it a reason to be green, so my brain, lips, belly, and hips are happy!
I am not bothered by the color so I don’t try to hide it but I have made plenty of strawberry/cherry smoothies too. The problem like you said is that if you add certain colors to the green, you end up with dingy brown which is worse to me!
Now this is a green smoothie I can get down with. Beautiful pics.. love the vibrant colors!
Thanks, Erika!
Green smoothies are the bomb. Frozen banana chunks in a green smoothie make the difference, IMO. I also happen to like kale in mine, if I take off the stem before I blend it. But, you are right, the tropical fruits make is so refreshing and sweet and the green goes undetected.
I have done numerous juice fasts: 7 days, 10 days, 21 days. I also did 2 water fasts, one in November and one in March (I like to do 2 a year) to get my innards working like a well-oiled machine, which they do like nothing else when I complete one of those babies. I hear you about the juicer clean-up though. It’s almost like you have to do a “cleanse” to make it mentally worth it to clean up! I mean, juicing once a day is a challenge because that could stretch on for eternity, whereas a cleanse is short-lived and more mentally manageable? Just a thought…
Your smoothie looks so vibrant and fruity. Love that Skylar bounces around after having one! :-)
“I have done numerous juice fasts: 7 days, 10 days, 21 days. I also did 2 water fasts” – I am in shock and amazement! I had no idea! I don’t think I could hang on for a week with the juice fasting. I am so impressed that you did this for 21 days! WOW!! Even 5 days is a long time to not put 1 morsel of food in your mouth and just do liquids. 3 days is good for us this time around :)
And I know very little about water fasting. I have no idea how that even works but it sounds hardcore beyond all!
Juicing once a day at home is so hard with cleanup, as you said. It’s like you have to do it in bulk, or it’s hardly worth the time to clean it all!
I always add spinach to my smoothies. The green color freaked me out at first, but you really can’t taste it and you get so many nutritional benefits! I’m a sucker for strawberry banana smoothies or using PB2 to make a Peanut Butter smoothie, but this tropical version sounds amazing. Just what I need to escape these frigid temperatures despite it being spring!!!
Mmmm, strawberry banana sounds so good to me right now!
While I have not tried a green smoothie (yet), I’m totally willing to try. I love spinach and agree that it’s mild in taste. I love how green your smoothie turned out! Add a few chocolate chips, and you’re set! :)
You will love it, Eva. And yes to the chocolate chips idea! :)
This is very close to a version of green smoothie I’ve been whipping up lately – and I’ve been calling it a pina colada smoothie! Green smoothies are the best. thing. ever.
Well then my tastebuds are on point if you’re making something similar and think it tastes like a pina colada too!
That looks so nice and refreshing. I really don’t drink a lot of smoothies or protein shakes. I do have one I like (a powder I should say) that has spirulina in it so it’s green by nature ;-)
Really? I thought you were into smoothies and shakes. Shows you what I know :)
I love green smoothies! Would like to try juicing but don’t have a juicer. Maybe someday!
Look on craigslist, ebay, etc for a juicer before you invest big $$ to make sure you are down with it :)
Oh, I didn’t even think of that, thanks for the tip! I was shocked to see how expensive they are when I looked them up today. Do you have one, and if so what brand?
Read this post and my comment replies to others and you’ll get a sense for where I’m at with juicers
http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2013/03/friday-things-9.html
Oh wow! I actually think that looks delicious! I LOVE the bright green color and everything in this just sounds amazing! All I need is the beach (not going to happen cause I live in the mountains of CO) and the sun (not likely going to happen, at least today. It is snow. Hard)! I can not wait to try this!
I am totally trying this!
Tropical fruits, spinach, and a beautiful green color!! Seriously–that is such a bright green and I love it! Spinach and romaine are my favorite greens for smoothies (but romaine is pale and doesn’t give a big pop of color). I love them for hearty snacks or as a small meal so I always have bags of frozen bananas and other fruit on hand. My latest frozen concoction has been pear, a few banana chunks and butternut squash with pumpkin pie spice, some maple syrup, and loads of vanilla. The squash may seem a little weird, but it adds thickness and creaminess like a banana whether I make a smoothie or soft serve. Winter is hanging on for dear life here (we have a light dusting of snow this am), so I still find myself leaning toward fall-winter produce and warming spices!
Sweet potato is so thick and cream-like when blended (I think back to all the Vitamix soups I’ve made with it) and I can imagine it would be great in smoothies…like a Pumpkin Frappucino of sorts :) And Pears…yum. Nothing is more rewarding than a perfect pair!
I just sent the link to this post to my husband because he drinks green smoothies every morning, and I love the way you broke everything down and explained what each component does. He’ll love this! I don’t drink one every day with him, mainly because I’m in a rush out the door for school most mornings :) but when I do, I agree they give energy like no other!
I’m doing my first juice cleanse with some girlfriends the week after Easter. We’re doing the Suja juices!
I almost didn’t recognize your comment b/c your name was different on it! Glad your hubs may like this post and the components. I wrote a blurb in my cookbook about Smoothie How To’s and this is just the abbreviated version of that. You’d think it would be second nature but many people can’t seem to get the ratios, ingredients, etc down pat! Suja is local-to-me in San Diego and I almost went with them! Cannot wait to hear more about your experience!
This smoothie looks amazing, so vibrant! The spinach, mango, pineapple combo makes me want it right now! With spring taking its time to come on the east coast I may have to wait a few weeks to make this although I love your make ahead instructions. I don’t know why I have never thought to freeze and reheat!?!
Good Luck on the juice cleanse! I can’t wait to read about it soon.
Stay warm and yes make-reheat or make-allow time to thaw on counter and plan better :) is the way to go with smoothies for me!
I love having smoothies for breakfast but I don’t really have them that often since I leave for work quite early and don’t want to wake my flat mates with my vitamix. I was thinking that I could probably prepare the smoothie the night before and bring it work with me. What is your experience with making smoothies and storing them overnight? Do think it will still be as good taste-wise?
By the way, I just love the beautiful neon green color of this smoothie!
Re-read the post because I addressed the make-ahead option in both the post as well as the recipe box. Nutshell: totally fine!
Oh, I’m jealous. I have been wanting to try a juice cleanse for a while now. And if I could also run while doing it…magic.
On the other note, I drink green smoothie almost every day. After a workout I also add some brown rice protein to it. My husband thinks it’s total gross but I LOVE IT! I’m weird and I love it! LOL. Anyways. Keep us posted.:)
My favourite recipe is my recipe http://bit.ly/10lEUN1. I change it all the time but this is the idea.
I would like to drink wheat grass shots every day but right now it’s not in the budget…
Oh wow, your green smoothie is hard core with the broccoli and celery! And while I was on your site, saw the mango/chia pudding (love chia pudding – and before my cleanse, that was my dessert for a few days, rather than my usual stuff). Your protein bars also looked good. I have these from ages ago you may like – you can doctor them up so many ways http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2010/02/overnight-vanilla-protein-oats-no-bake.html
Haha, yes, that’s why my husband thinks I’m weird. But seriously, I love veggies and I love my green smoothie. Like you know when you are doing any workout program the nutrition is strict. That kind of food.
I love chia too as you can tell. Thank you for the kind words. I haven’t been blogging for long so a successful blogger’s approval like you means a lot to me.:)
Yes, I like your protein bars. Go on my list. And juice cleanse too. I really should do that. I just need to buy it, like a prepped stuff you are doing. Have no time for my own unless I do it and blog about it.
Well the issue with juicing is that you need to buy SO MUCH produce in order to get enough liquid out…whereas with smoothies, you can use everything. Then the juicer cleanup isn’t fun which is why the prepared plan is good for us..and also b/c I am not qualified enough to put together my own cleanse without tons of research so for this one, we went the prepared route!