5 Day Green Smoothie Challenge

I was recently inspired by Holly to try out the whole green smoothie thing. I love vegetables even though I probably don't eat them as often as I should. I also had never tried making a smoothie with greens before, so I wanted to try it out-for fun and health. Good news-green smoothies are awesome! Since this was my first encounter with the whole thing I started small with a five day challenge. If you want to join in the fun you can! The rules are simple: make a smoothie everyday for five days that includes two big handfuls of greens (spinach, kale, whatever you like!). Here are my creations.Day 1: I made a smoothie of 2 cups blueberries, 1/2 a banana, 2 big handfuls of spinach and 1 cup of water. This smoothie was delicious and I was surprised to find that I couldn't taste the spinach at all. This made a little more than a full glass so I used the extra smoothie batter to make Popsicles for my 2 year-old niece. I saw her eat two in a row one day, little did she know she was eating a little spinach too. I'm a very sneaky aunt!Day 2: I made a smoothie of 2 apples (one gala and one granny smith), 2 big handfuls of spinach, 1 cup water and 1/2 cup crushed ice. This one was much more grassy in taste. It wasn't bad, but this was my least favorite. I did like the tart taste that the granny smith apple added to it.Day 3: I made a smoothie of 1 cup raspberries, 1/3 cup coconut flakes, 2 big handfuls of spinach and 1 cup water. This was one of my favorites as I love the combination of raspberries and coconut. It was almost dessert like-it was so good!Day 4: I made a smoothie of 1 1/2 cups sliced peaches, 2 big handfuls of spinach, 1 tablespoon honey, 1/4 cup raw oats and 1 cup water. I have seen folks include oats in smoothies before and I wanted to see what it was like-it's good! This smoothie really made me feel full and the addition of a little honey was a sweet treat.Day 5: I made a smoothie of 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks, 1/2 a banana, 2 big handfuls of spinach and 2 cups water. This was probably my favorite smoothie from the whole week-the pineapple made it super refreshing!

All berries and the peaches were frozen and slightly thawed before use. I got a tip from a fellow instagrammer to put the greens on bottom before blending because it helps it blend better-that worked like a charm. And even though I had smoothies with spinach every day for 5 days it never felt boring because there are just so many combinations to try. If you decide to do this challenge leave us a comment with any new smoothie combinations you discover, or if you already have a favorite! xo. emma

Comments

[Ashley A]

Love these ideas!! Thanks for the suggestions, can't wait to get a blender to try these.

[kelly]

all of those sound INCREDIBLE! i usually use LOTS of fresh ginger and citrus in my juices & green smoothies. it masks any grassy flavors.

[Allison]

They look amazing! I'm a big fan of homemade smoothies. I was wondering what was going to come from all of your Instagram posts! Thanks for sharing Emma!
xx
http://www.thrifted.ca

[Bri Doyle]

I make a smoothie every morning for breakfast with a little frozen or greek yogurt, a few teaspoons of flax for fiber and instead of spinach I buy vita greens which is a super blend of greens, veggies, grasses, vitamins the list is huge! And they're so great because the possibilities are endless!!! Also a magic bullet makes this easy because you make it right in the cup and off you go...

[Natasha Fatah]

Holy cow!
These all look and sound delicious!

xoxo
www.natashafatah.blogspot.com

[Holly]

Mmm I LOVE green smoothies. I'll have to try these combinations! My favourite green smoothie is this:

- vanilla almond milk
- LOTS of baby spinach
- one banana
- a few ice cubes
- hemp oil
- hemp powder

DELICIOUS. You can just taste delicious vanilla & some banana. No spinach taste at all. SO good. I totally recommend it!

Right now on my blog I've been doing a little "Adventures in Juicing" series with some health benefit facts on various fruits & veggies. But I feel bad for my neglected blender! Haha. I'll have to start incorporating some of my juices with some smoothies!

[Ashley]

I was thinking about trying a smoothie for breakfast and lunch but I haven't started it yet... but this is a good idea.. I like the peach combo that you have!!

[Monique]

I did spinach smoothies for about a month for breakfast every morning. Each week I would use different types of fruit and berries. I would also add oatmeal to make it more filling, vanilla yogurt, and soy milk. I even tried one with shredded carrots that was really good. Its so healthy and you get your servings of fruits and veggies in at the same time.

[Angie]

I am a green smoothie junkie! I think a LOT of people probably eye a green smoothie and think it's one of those "we promise - it's good!" type of things but it's SERIOUSLY SO GOOD!!! I love using spinach, cucumber and kiwi. So good and refreshing! I'm dying to try some other variations. I'll definitely try some of yours. :D

[Jenny Stokes]

We have been making smoothies NON STOP at my house. We put in Spinach, blackberries, bananas, soy milk, and ice... and the occasional strawberries. they are so gooood!! Can't wait to try a new one though! these look great!

[Norah N.]

These look yummy! I've been doing green smoothies every weekday for a couple months now and they make me feel so great! Spinach is good but I LOVE kale! My favorite smoothing so far has been:

3 leaves kale (spines removed)
about 1/4 cup parsley
1/2 a cucumber (peeled)
1 cup green grapes
1 Banana

I think it's awesome how many people are doing this!

[Rae Wilson]

Wow, yum! You've given me the push I need to get my blender out...

www.littleraewrites.com

[Nina]

I've been having these for about a week now, they give you so much energy before you start your day! Try adding a bit of parsley or cilantro, these are extremely beneficial for detoxing :)

Nina
http://themakingsofnk.blogspot.com

[sara]

try switching out mango for the pineapple in your Day 5 smoothie! i also like to use either almond milk or juice for the liquidy part. yum!

[Sophie]

nice! i am going to try one of these tomorrow.
sophie
princessrhyme.blogspot.com

[Sylvia Morris]

Man, I so wish I had a blender.

[Courtney]

awesome! i'm totally trying this! perfect timing too, as i just started making my grocery list!

[Jamie-Lee]

My FAVE smoothie that I drink daily; it even has more than 15 grams of fibre!:
-1 cup frozen raspberries
-3/4 skim milk
-half a banana
-1 tbsp of honey (to taste)
-2 handfuls of spinach
The skim milk just adds a whole delicious layer of richness, without adding too many calories.

[Lindsey]

At first I thought these looked totally gross, but after reading through I actually can't wait to try!

-Lindsey
http://ettu-tutu.blogspot.com

[Lauren]

My go to smoothie:

Unsweetened vanilla almond milk (I use the Trader Joe's brand)
1 banana
Spinach
Ice
Cinnamon spices