The Green Smoothie Experiment

I like smoothies. Always have, especially when mango is involved.

And after my plan for eating healthier officially went out the window when our fridge suddenly decided it was time to visit the appliance afterlife (the fact that it was Super Bowl week certainly didn't help matters either), I've been trying to gravitate toward more healthy fare ever since.

One of things I keep seeing healthy people consistently rave about are green smoothies. Now I'll be honest, whenever I see one, I instantly start thinking about the nasty green gunge that Rene Russo's character always insisted on drinking in The Thomas Crowne Affair, but I like the idea of them in theory. You get your fruit, your veggies all in one place—sort of like V8 without the unpleasant acid reflux that comes with drinking tomato juice.

Armed with the recipe I saw on a friend of mine's Facebook page, I finally womaned up and decided the only way to know if these green smoothies were the secret to my future well-being was to (gasp!) try one myself. So I put in the banana, the peanut butter, the soy milk, the why-in-the-world-is-this-so-thick Greek yogurt, and it looked pretty good until...

Yep, you guessed it, the spinach.

Since I was making a half recipe, I needed two whole cups of the green stuff. But as I started measuring it out, I thought maybe I'd go just a little shy the first time, so I opted for 1 1/2 instead.

Throwing in some ice for good measure since a lukewarm green smoothie basically sounded like the stomach flu in a glass, I whirled and whirled the mixture around in the blender 'til it looked the right consistency, poured it in a glass, briefly contemplated throwing it down the sink and finally, I drank it.

The verdict? It's not soooo bad, considering you're drinking spinach. I mean, peanut butter makes anything better in my opinion, but I doubt these green smoothies will be on my breakfast menu on a regular basis.

So green smoothie fanatics, is there a way to actually enjoy these or do you just suck it up in the name of good health? Also, are there any add-ins that make the experience a little more tolerable? Really, I'm all ears...

Comments

[Staci Frenes]

Funny....I just saw a friend post a pic of a smoothie she made with BEETS and it was hot pink!! I can't imagine drinking beets or spinach, but maybe it's worth it, as you say, "in the name of health!" Good luck and happy smoothie making! :-)

[Tonya]

I've never tried a green smoothie... But I do have a smoothie for breakfast everyday :) it's my fruit of choice (usually blueberries, strawberries, or peahces) almond milk, & protien powder. Every once and awhile I get wild and add dairy free ice cream, lol!
Anyways, here's a sight that is very healthy (it's vegan but that's fine with me bc I'm allergic to dairy) and she has her own version of a green smoothie she calls the "green monster" and swears by:
http://ohsheglows.com/

http://greenmonstermovement.com/

[jana]

I like to use frozen berries or banana or mango chunks instead of ice (apologies for the use of the word "chunks").

More sweetness and intensity of the fruit-flavor to overpower the spinach + more nutrients + cold without being watery + fresh-frozen fruit lasts longer.

I somehow think that Kale has less intense flavor and is less predisposed to stringiness than spinach, so sometimes I prefer to use Kale. (it's also often cheaper depending on the time of year)

[Christa]

Thanks sooo much for the tips, Jana, and I totally forgive you for using the word "chunks." Ha ha. :)I'll give the kale a whirl, too, sounds like it could be interesting...

I rather like the sound of those non-green smoothies, Tonya! But I'll check out the ohhowsheglows, too. After all, who doesn't want to glow?

[Christa]

I really like my green smoothies. I use almond milk, banana, kale, spinach and sometimes blueberries or pear, which adds sweetness. I also add Greek yogurt if I have it and/or protein powder. I labeled it the incredible hulk smoothie but alas my husband prefers his less green. I use coconut milk in his. Oh, I will use honey for sweetness too. Well, off to shovel snow. Still missing MN?

[Christa]

Shoveling snow, huh? Nope, I don't really miss that, despite the occasional pangs of missin' Minnesota. :) Thanks for the smoothie tips. Perhaps, I just need to give 'em a second try.