Healthy Everyday Green Smoothie

SMOOOTHAYS!

I live for smoothies, and this healthy everyday green smoothie is my go-to breakfast! This beauty has simple, easy to digest ingredients that leave you feeling light and refreshed, ready to take on the day!

Smoothies are nutrient powerhouses. They're a great way to get all of the macronutrients into a meal and the combinations are endless! The fact that they are blended means they are pre-digested (because you are not having to chew all the contents) so they do wonders for the GI system!

This healthy everyday green smoothie is my go-to, give or take a few ingredients. I typically start everyday off with a smoothie if I can. My body's digestion, mental clarity, and energy levels all flourish when I have my daily smoothie. During the winter, I am less inclined to reach for a cold smoothie in the morning. I reach more for my warming banana oatmeal instead. So, smoothies become an afternoon snack when it's chilly out.

Home Cook Substitiutions

Smoothies in general serve as a great base for adding in all of your superfood potions (as I call them). Add in maca, flaxseed, spirulina, collagen, ashwagandha, turmeric, dulse flakes (great for iodine if you follow a plant based diet)... the list could go on and on

The ginger in this smoothie really ties everything together. I also like to add romaine into mine for a little extra serving of veggies/fiber that doesn't alter the taste at all.

OK - a few housekeeping things. Once you have juiced or blended fruits and veggies, the enzyme and nutrient content starts to decrease the longer it sits out. For this reason, it's best to make smoothies/juices on the spot for maximum nutrient absorption.

Home Cook Hacks:

That being said, most of us lead really busy lives and dont have the time luxury of prepping fresh smoothies/juices on the spot... If this is you (raises hand) but you still want to get in all the nutrition and benefits, you've got a few options.

Option 1: Freeze Pre-Blended Smoothies

Pre-blend 6 servings of this (or any) smoothie. Put 5 of them into freezer safe containers, glass or plastic works - just depends on your lifestyle. Pour the last smoothie into a container to be used the following day and store in the fridge.

At night, you can pull a smoothie out and set it on the counter just before bed. In the morning it will be thawed and ready to go! You can leave it in the fridge, though do know it may not be completely thawed.

Option 2: Freeze Ready-To-Go- Smoothie Packs

If you have a few minutes to blend in the morning - get 6 plastic/re-useable, freezer friendly bags and add enough smoothie ingredients for one smoothie into each bag, without the liquid (the recipe below makes 2). Freeze the bags, and in the morning, add a smoothie bag and liquid of choice into the blender, blend, and your ready to go!

If you decide to add protein powder to the smoothie, add it to the blender in the morning instead of the freezer bag. This way, it doesn't freeze to the inside of the bag or on the fruit.

Option 3: Blend Smoothie The Night Before

Blend your smoothie at night and store in fridge for a quick grab the next morning. If you do this be warned - it will thicken due to the flaxseed and you'll have to add some water to thin it out!

Either way: if your busy and still want to get on that smoothie train, these hacks will help! This saves sooo much time and retains way more nutrient and enzyme value than leaving 6 pre-blended smoothies in the fridge for a week.

Lets Talk Bananas:

* Pre-Frozen Bananas: In order to make sure I always have smoothie-ready bananas on hand, I buy several bunches from the grocery store and let them chill on the counter together until they are nice and spotty. Then, I peel them, stick them in a freezer bag, stick them in the freezer, and voila! Sweet, ripe bananas ready to go whenever you need them! Be warned, they like to freeze together, so I typically use a paring knife to help coax one out when I need one. Not a big deal, just be careful! Plus, frozen bananas add a great texture to smoothies. They transform them from liquidy to a more milkshake consistency.

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