How to Create Your Perfect Green Smoothie

Guess who has mastered her perfect green smoothie recipe and technique? Me- well almost.

I’ve never been a smoothie drinker. I’ve tried them a few times from a few places in the past and was left underwhelmed. 

If you all recall I scratched my throat back in July with a fish bone. It was super uncomfortable to swallow things. My nutritionist veered me towards green smoothies instead of the Ensure I was chugging to get by.

After a couple weeks of following other people’s recipes and hating them. I realized I had to chuck the book and go with my gut. That’s when I discovered the key – DIY.

When I make my own green smoothies I’m able to address my biggest qualms – taste and texture. Additionally, I can modify it for any dietary regimen. Now I’m drinking 3 smoothies a week like clockwork.

Today’s Peach Mango Watermelon smoothie is AIP compliant. I’m no longer strictly AIP but I dabble in recipes here and there. 

Benefits and Uses of Green Smoothies

Green smoothies aren’t new. They’re just new to me. Well the concept isn’t new, just my use of them. 

If you’re struggling to get in your recommended doses of fruits and vegetables, green smoothies are a great way. Toss them bad boys in the blender chug lol

Also, green smoothies are packed with fiber which aid in digestion.

No time for a traditional breakfast? Have a smoothie. Takes about 5 minutes to make and you can have it on the go. 

Green smoothies are a perfect compliment to any workout regimen. You can use it to fuel up before the workout or use it to refuel after a workout. 

Lastly, green smoothies are great for those looking to drop a few pounds. They are nutrient dense and low in calories. Perfect for a quick meal replacement.

How to Make the Perfect Green Smoothie

Making the perfect green smoothie is honestly pretty simple. The best part is that you can customize it based on your taste buds, what’s in season or what’s in your fridge. 

1. Pick your Base

Here is where you put the green in your green smoothie.  Add your spinach, kale or spring mix.  A handful or two will do depending on how much you’re making.

2. Choose your fruit.

Here is where I have my struggle. I’m not the biggest fruit lover. I actually don’t like any fruit that ends in -erry. So I chose two fruits I loved and one that I didn’t. 

Any combo of fruit (fresh or frozen) is great. Frozen fruit will thicken up your smoothie (but you can just add ice to fresh fruit and get the same texture). Different fruits have different nutrients so here’s your chance to get super creative and custom with your green smoothie.  

There are no rules, just shoot for about 3 cups of fruit. 

3. Add a thickener (optional). 

Adding ¼ to ½ cup of Greek yogurt, peanut butter, almond butter, or vanilla yogurt are all great options to thicken up your green smoothie. The more you add, the thicker it will be. I actually prefer thinner smoothies so I don’t add anything. 

4. Pick a liquid.  

I’ve seen smoothie recipes with almond milk, coconut milk, whole milk, and even fruit juice. Each has it’s own quirks – like almond milk gives off a nutty flavor. Like everything with your green smoothie recipe, it’s to your taste. 

I opt for water in mine. Told yall I like mine to be thin lol. Adjust the amount of liquid based on how much smoothie you want and how much thickener you used.  

5. Sprinkle in your add-ins. 

Flax seeds are a great source for fiber and omega-3s. Protein powder, fresh mint, hemp seeds, maca powder, cinnamon, honey or anything you think will make your flavor pop

Peach Mango Watermelon Green Smoothie

Making My Own Green Smoothie

How did I come up with this concoction? I used what was already in the fridge. Spinach is one of my favorite leafy vegetables. So I always keep that on hand.

Watermelon is in season so I recently stocked up on some. The frozen mangoes and peaches were already in the freezer as well. I love peaches and watermelon so I figured I’d love a smoothie with them. I added the mango just because it’s not overpowering.

Liquid chlorophyll has many benefits like reducing inflammation. Seamoss gel is also anti-inflammatory and it’s immune boosting. Even though I’m not in pain anymore, I want my throat to heal completely.  As someone with a chronic illness, it can never hurt to boost your immune system. 

Full transparency here, I rarely ever measure my ingredients. I toss it in there by how I feel. But for y’all, I measured. Lol 

If you’re going to use my recipe, use it as a guide but not law. Your perfect smoothie recipe may look completely different from mine and that’s ok!