Karla Tafra
St. Patrick’s Day is known for grand celebrations and copious green food and drink. These five green smoothies are packed with vitamins and minerals, so you won’t have to worry about the aftermath of all that green beer.
A Bunch of Greens
The dark, vibrant green of this smoothie will make you think of spring and the lush outdoors. Meanwhile, the delicious citrus taste will surprise you and load you up with micronutrients. The spirulina will help cleanse and replenish you with antioxidants.
You’ll need the following ingredients:
- A handful of kale
- A handful of spinach
- 1 teaspoon of spirulina
- 1 celery stalk
- 1 squeezed lemon or lime
- 1/2 small apple (frozen or fresh)
- 1 cup of almond milk (or any kind you prefer)
- A pinch of cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon of honey (or your preferred sweetener)
Put all the ingredients in the blender and pulse until they’re well combined. You can add more milk until it reaches the desired consistency. Depending on the volume of the fruit, your smoothie might be denser than you’d think.
You can also substitute water or coconut water for the milk if you want it to be more of a juice than a smoothie. Try out some different options until you find the one you like best!
Ginger (K)Ale
The spiciness of ginger gives you a nice kick, making it the perfect early-morning smoothie. It also jump-starts your metabolism and fills you up with iron, magnesium, and vitamin K.
The ingredient list for this smoothie is pretty short:
- 2 cups of torn kale
- 1 squeezed lemon
- 1/2 a small apple
- 1 tablespoon of minced or grated fresh ginger
- 1 cup of almond milk (or any kind you prefer)
- 1 tablespoon of honey (or your preferred sweetener)
Put all the ingredients in your blender and pulse until smooth. Freshly squeezed orange juice is a great substitute for the milk if you want more of a sweet treat than a smoothie. It also makes it less dense, though—if you want a thick consistency, stick with the milk.
Minty Spinach
This green smoothie would even satisfy Popeye! It gives you a nice amount of spinach for your day. Packed with potassium and calcium, spinach is also rich in glutathione—a really powerful antioxidant that will keep your liver happy.
You’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups of spinach
- 1/2 a cup of fresh mint
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 tablespoon of your nut butter of choice (almond, cashew, peanut)
- 1 cup of almond milk (or any kind you prefer)
- Honey to taste (omit if the banana is sweet enough)
Place all the ingredients in your blender and pulse until smooth. You might need to add more almond milk depending on the thickness of the nut butter and the size of the banana.
If you’re not a banana fan, you can substitute mango, papaya, or pineapple. You might need to use more or less fruit to reach your desired consistency.
Avocado Blast
A perfect breakfast smoothie, full of healthy fats and fiber, starts your day off on a good note. It’ll give you lots of energy to fuel your daily tasks. Avocado and chia seeds supply you with omega 3 fatty acids, optimize your cardiovascular system, and protect your heart.
Pick up the following ingredients:
- 1/2 an avocado
- 1 frozen banana (or mango, papaya, or pineapple)
- A handful of spinach or kale
- 1 squeezed lime
- 1 cup of coconut milk (or any other nut milk)
- A touch of honey, if desired
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
Put all the ingredients except the chia seeds in your blender and pulse until smooth. Add more or less almond milk until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Sprinkle the chia seeds on top and swirl them around until they’re nicely spread out. Leave it in the fridge for 20 minutes so the chia seeds can absorb some of the liquid and inflate, and then, bottoms up!
Green Protein Machine
If you want to replenish your muscles after a heavy workout, this is the perfect smoothie for you! You can customize it to suit your preferences. Add or omit anything, just keep it clean and green.
You’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1/2 an avocado
- 1 frozen banana (or mango, pineapple, or papaya)
- 1 scoop of your protein powder of choice (vegan or whey)
- 1 cup of your nut milk of choice
- 2 dates
- 1/2 a cup of your nut butter of choice
- A pinch of cinnamon
Packed with protein, healthy fats, fiber, and quick carbs, this smoothie will nourish your fatigued muscles and make them stronger and more toned. It’s the best recovery drink for the fitness machine!
These five green smoothies are micronutrient bombs! They’ll fuel and hydrate your body in the best way possible. After a whole day (and night) of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, they’re exactly what you need.
