I hope you’re having a great week and that September has been starting off well for you. I’ve always loved September. Fall weather is gorgeous, I get to break out my scarves and boots, and I celebrate another birthday. The weather is pretty hot right now so I may not be breaking out my fall wardrobe yet but I am turning 23 this year. I think it’s going to be a good year. 😀 Another thing I love is smoothies. And while I love all smoothies, I particularly love green ones.
My stepmom and I are known for making gargantuan smoothies. The powerful motor in the Vitamix lets us get away with putting pretty much anything in there.
The thing I realized as I started learning more about smoothies is that there is actually a formula to getting a healthy, filling smoothie. After all, who wants to drink hundreds of calories and feel hungry twenty minutes later?
Another important thing I learned about smoothies: as healthy as they may be you also want them to taste good. I know that brown liquid looks pretty gross but I swear it tastes amazing.
Over the years that I’ve been making green smoothies I think I got my formula down pretty well. Everyone has a different mix that works for them but I thought it would be fun to share mine.
Some notes about this:
1. The sweeter the fruit you use the sweeter your smoothie will be. I love throwing in some mangos and/or pineapples. It’s fun to play around with the combinations.
2. Never skip the banana. I haven’t figured out why the banana is so critical but without it my smoothies always taste gross. If I don’t have a banana I’ll skip making a smoothie that day.
3. The chia seeds add healthy fat to allow your body to soak up the nutrients in the fruit. Without fat your body isn’t able to break down a lot of needed nutrients in food.
4. I use hemp protein powder out of all the protein powders out there because it is the only protein from a plant source that is a complete protein. It also just tastes good.
Green smoothies are a routine way I start my morning. It’s fun to drink your fruits and veggies!
Questions of the Day: Do you like green smoothies? What’s your favorite way to make them?
I agree – bananas make smoothies SO MUCH BETTER! I just have to be careful with bananas and mangos – they sure are sweet but I like to try to balance my smoothies so I don’t get too much fructose in there. And Chia seeds! Brilliant!
Chia seeds are awesome!
I love using chia seeds in my smoothies, and bananas of course. I like to use almond milk instead of water. Mmmm, making myself hungry at bedtime!
haha Green smoothies are the best!
hmmmmm… i cant do the green. I know, i know, it’s just a color… but STILL. How about if you drink them for me, then I run miles for you. Deal?
I would absolutely take that deal. You are the best runner I know!
we love love here too!
and tend toward the kitchen sink kind—TOSSING IN EVERYTHING! 🙂
Yes, I love to build crazy big smoothies. haha It’s fun!
bananas make smoothies SO creamy too!! i rarely skip the banana!
Bananas are the best!!
Thanks for explaining why you include each item! I’ve been making smoothies for quite awhile, but I never knew that about having fat in there. I guess I need to get me some chia seeds! I also didn’t know that hemp protein powder was a complete protein. So much to learn! #themoreyouknow
Chia seeds are awesome! Glad you enjoyed the post!
This is exactly how I roll with my green smoothes. MUST have a banana and MUST have at least one cup of fruit and a healthy fat. I don’t always add protein powder but if I do I go for half a cup of fruit. Nom 🙂
I love green smoothies!
This green smoothie looks delicious and sounds amazing. I want it NOW!