You have probably heard the old adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. While some people swear by intermittent fasting and skipping breakfast, personally I cannot do it. If I do not have something in belly by 9am I have zero energy. Plus simultaneously ravenous and nauseous all at the same time. In fact, I’m 85% certain I’m a hobbit! Given a chance I’d take second breakfast and elevensies. So to keep my body fueled through the morning craziness that is my everyday life, I like to make a green smoothie for breakfast. Over the years I’ve tried different recipes but this one is a current favorite.
DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the website and allows me to continue to provide free content. Thank you for the support!
Now I’m not saying that everyday is exactly the same but this is how I start out most of my mornings. With quality ingredients! My smoothies are plant based so contain no dairy. I’ve already written about dairy free alternatives, but one I am loving right now is the Califia Almond milk. It’s actually something I picked up on a whim at Sprouts a few months ago but since then I’ve switched from Traders Joes/Blue Diamond to Califia. Why? Simple, I prefer the taste. They are local-ish to me, non-gmo, energy conscious, organic and they are a fully plant based company. Plus the packaging is more recyclable here than the tetra packs (Califia is Plastic #4) so I can throw them in the recycle bin. Also come on that bottle is amazing! Just imagine the craft projects you could do with those suckers.
Green Smoothie Ingredients
- 1c Almond Milk
- 2/3 scoop Protein Powder: PlantFusion Vanilla Bean (so yummy!)
- 2 Big Handfuls Spinach
- 1 Tbpsn Flaxseed Meal
- 2 Bananas
- 1/4c 100% cranberry juice
- water/ice
Equipment
I’m going to tell you that you could DEFINITELY make this smoothie with any blender or food processor but if you don’t have a Vitamix, get it on your wishlist! For so many years I made smoothies with regular blenders. Thinking that the whole Vitamix trend was overrated. Let me tell you that having got a Vitamix in 2016 I cannot believe the difference!!! On our Hawaii vacation I had to use a regular blender and it was terrible in comparison. Best kitchen purchase ever! We bought one refurbished from Amazon. Double thumbs up, definitely recommend.
Making the Green Smoothie
When I made smoothies before the vitamix I’d just add the ingredients and hope for the best. Little did I know there is a “knack” to it! Add the liquid, then solids from lightest to heaviest. So I added the almond milk. The Vitamix has a handy dandy measure along the jug making this super easy. Next up comes two big handfuls of spinach. I love spinach and prefer the baby spinach which is more tender.
Now the next step is something that a lot of green smoothie recipes skip. You need VITAMIN C. Why? With the added Vitamin C you’ll absorb three times the amount of iron from the spinach. Say what? Yep, I know mind blown. If you have been skipping this step you’ve been missing out on bonus iron. I just add 1/4 of a cup of 100% cranberry juice which also seems to help my kidneys. You could add a small amount of orange juice and if you wanted to get real fancy you could throw 1/2 an actual orange for bonus micronutrients! I’ve also used fresh or canned pineapple if we’ve had any leftover from cooking.
Vegan Protein Powder
For plant based protein powder PlantFusion Vanilla Bean is my preference. Seriously it’s so good! I’ve been using this for about 3 years and it’s by far my favorite plant based protein powder. I’m not a fan of chocolate flavored anything usually but I bought some of their Chocolate Raspberry Protein Powder last week and am LOVING it as a post workout shake. If anyone is interested in satiety and weight loss they also do an amazing product called LEAN. It’s got lots of fiber and is better at curbing hunger than whey! I’ve tried almost all their products and never been disappointed. Definitely highly recommend.
After the protein powder I add in the Flaxseed meal and bananas. However you’ll have to use your imagination for that because I forgot to take photo’s. Sorry, I was eager to get my morning smoothie at this point. Anyway, after all the above ingredients are in I add about 1/2 cup of water and some ice. If it’s Summer I’ll use frozen bananas too as I like a cool smoothie on those warm Summer mornings.
Blend
Once all the ingredients are in it’s time to blend! The good thing about the Vitamix is it has a smoothie setting. Just flip to the setting and switch it on. It turns off automatically. I think it’s timed. That sucker crunches up and blends all the ingredients super fast. My old blender would be chugging and I’d have to shake it often as the ingredients would get stuck. Ice and frozen bananas are no problem for the Vitamix!
Drink & Enjoy
And then voila! You’re green smoothie is done. I serve mine in a LARGE glass as this ends up being around 4-5 cups of green smoothie. Yes, that’s per person. You can choose to drink “as is” but I use a reusable straw from my set of glass straws. These things are amazing. In the 18 months I’ve had mine I’ve only broken one which honestly is a record for me. I use one every morning though and think of that… I’ve saved approx 550 plastic straws from the landfill! These are super easy to clean. Maybe I need to do a whole other blog post on these alone I love them that much!
Incase you’re health conscious, counting calories or tracking macros here is the nutrition breakdown of the smoothie with the ingredients listed above. The data is from My Fitness Pal where I’ve been logging all my food for the last week (#dietlife). If you want to friend me on MyFitnessPal as always my username is WorkoutWithDi
- 367 Calories
- 57g Carbohydrates
- 7g Fat
- 21g Protein
- Macro: 61C/17F/22P
So that’s my morning green smoothie. As I said I have it pretty much every morning. Sometimes in Summer (when I eat way more fresh greens in salads) I’ll switch it up with blueberries rather than spinach. Or strawberries if they are in season (California strawberries fresh from the farm are the freakin’ BOMB!).
Questions
Do you drink Green Smoothies?
Did you know about Vitamin C to boost iron content of dark leafy greens?
Have you tried a Vitamix?
Kathy Bailey
Looks yummy Di. Yep! Got to morning nutrients to start the day!
I love the Califa Coconut-Almond blend. Ripple is awesome too, but doesn’t taste as yummy as Califa. I use Ripple for long bike rides when I need more potassium. Ripple also has more protein. It’s plant based pea protein.
Di Hickman
I don’t think I’ve heard of ripple? I’ve actually stopped caring about protein. In the western world there is no protein deficiency. It only occurs in malnourished third world countries. I’ve reduced the amount of protein powder in my smoothies by half. I honestly think I may skip it altogether soon.
Agness of Run Agness Run
Since I started consuming green smoothie instead of my regular breakfast, my health was boosted and I am feeling full of energy. Great post!
Di Hickman
It’s so good isn’t it!
Toughcookiemommy
I think drinking a green smoothie regularly would really help me get essential vitamins. I will make one and take it with me to work in the morning.
Di Hickman
exactly! That’s what we’re after here! A BOOST vitamins and minerals to energize your morning!
CourtneyLynne
Omg can we say yum?!?! I just love a good smoothie! Must give your recipe a try
Di Hickman
It’s delicious! Give it a try!
Shelby
Wow, I love how simple the ingredients are. I hate when “healthy recipes” try to make you buy a bunch of crap that’s super expensive and you’ll only ever use for that one recipe. This looks super doable though! And I’m easily tired of the same thing for breakfast so I’m always looking for more variety.
Di Hickman
Oh I hear ya Shelby! Some of the recipes I’m like “Wth is that and where do I get it?”. Use real food!
Robin Rue
This smoothie looks amazing. I have never made a green smoothie before but it looks like something I would like.
Di Hickman
They taste amazing and so good for you!
Heather
This looks so good and healthy. I love anything with cranberry juice! Spinach in smoothies used to freak me out until I tried it and realized you can hardly taste it!
Di Hickman
Right, you can barely taste it. Plus the vanilla in the protein powder, and banana means you can’t taste it at all!
Keren Charles
Green smoothies are my absolute favorite because they are the healthiest. Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe.
Di Hickman
Yes so healthy!
Angela Tolsma
My husband and I were looking at vitamix just this past weekend. I know they are worth it but I didn’t know Amazon had them refurbished! Definitely have to go that route!
Di Hickman
I didn’t know either Angela. But my other blender bit the dust and I was dreaming of a vitamix when my hubby found them on amazon! So worth it!
Courteney Noonan
I love smoothies so much. I usually have berry smoothies because I’m too scared that I won’t like green smoothies haha. Maybe I’ll give this recipe a go 🙂
Di Hickman
Try a bit at a time? One small handful
Brandi Puga
I have a hard time trying to suck down anything green in color, however i have heard that these types of smoothies are actually really good and soo good for you, i will have to try them i guess!
Di Hickman
try adding fruit! Too many people not adding fruit to their green smoothies. Vit C boosts the nutrients in the spinach and adds flavor masking the “green” lol
Dana
I’ve only tried adding spinach into my smoothies a few time – some times it tastes good and others not so much so I will need to try this recipe rather than wing it 😉
Thanks!!
Di Hickman
Add some vanilla, and a fruit with Vit C! Sweeten it up!
Lindsey Paris
Spinach is my favorite green to blend up. It matches a strawberry’s taste so well I don’t mind the veggie aspect of it.
Di Hickman
I don’t even taste it!
lydia
I’ve been wanting to drink more smoothies lately! This one sounds so healthy and delicious, two of my favorite things to look for in food 😉
Di Hickman
so delicious!!!! My dog loves it too 😛
Jeanine
I need to start adding smoothies into my diet, and this one looks like its packed full of just what I need! Would love to give it a try! looks great!
Di Hickman
Definitely packed full of so many nutrients
Tereza
I love green smoothies – I’d never think of adding cranberry juice to a spinach smoothie though! I love them both separately but wouldn’t have thought of putting them together – will give this a try tomorrow!:) x
Di Hickman
Definitely try it, or OJ. Gets the most out of your spinach.
Bill S
We love making smoothies!! This sounds like a great green smoothie recipe to make up!
Di Hickman
yes love smoothies, great easy breakfast
Mandy Carter
A Vitamixer is on my wish list! I love shakes but never tried making green one at home.
Di Hickman
Save those pennies and get one. So worth it
Jessi
This looks really similar to what I make most mornings. I use Chia seeds, banana and frozen mixed berries
Di Hickman
I use berries in Summer 🙂
Debra
This looks like a great smoothie – I’ve never tried the green smoothie before but I love the idea of getting more protein.
Di Hickman
Definitely try it. You can’t taste the spinach!
Belle
Yum! Healthy and delicious smoothie that looks so easy to make? Yes please! I’d love to try this at home!
Belle
Di Hickman
Super easy to make!
Dawn McAlexander
This is the type of smoothie that I have been looking to make. I needed to know the ingredients as well as the way to blend them properly. Thanks for sharing it with me!
Di Hickman
You’re welcome. Definitely try it! Lots of protein, fiber and healthy fats!
CoCo
So much fiber in this! Healthy, filling, and great for the digestive system!
Di Hickman
Yes tons of fiber! One reason I don’t juice, no fiber!
Terri Steffes
I’ve seen that almond milk before. I need to give it a try. I like my green shakes, but I like them in the summer when I grow my own greens. Yours sounds great!
Di Hickman
I hadn’t seen it either Terri. It’s definitely a lot nicer!
Cecilia Cannon
will definitely pin this for later, I need to start having a stronger breakfast cause I get to weak by noon.
Di Hickman
Oh for sure. And don’t skip the flaxseed meal as that helps keep you fuller due to fats and fiber!
Heather @ Country Life, City Wife
I do drink green smoothies – love them. And oh yes, Vitamix is like a household name to me!
Di Hickman
Yes love my vitamix, can’t believe it took me so long to get one.