Tropical Green Smoothie

This tropical green smoothie has been my latest breakfast jam. Quick, easy, and healthy - you won't be disappointed!

I drink a smoothie almost every morning. My body and digestion just prefer things this way. I have a harder time with them in the winter but now that things are warming up again, I am back on my smoothie grind.

Why the Obsession with Smoothies?

Smoothies are a great way to get servings of veggies and fruits (plus any other health foods) into an easy to consume, tasty meal/snack - depending how you make them. I simply feel better with regular smoothie consumption and find I can get a lot of nutrition packed into them.

I like to sneak veggies in by adding things like cucumber, carrots, lettuce, spinach, sometimes celery... you get the picture. Sneaking in veggies helps add fiber, water, and nutrients to smoothies - helping them to not be just straight up sugar.

You can blend them up quick and easy, rinse out the blender and your good to go! Plus, they can be a great way to use up whatever fruit/veg is dying inside your fridge.

Tropical Green Smoothie - Notable Ingredients:

This tropical green smoothie is a reincarnation of the smoothie I used to drink for breakfast all the time: HEALTHY EVERYDAY GREEN SMOOTHIE

• spinach - is my fave to use as it doesn't have a strong taste, but kale or regular lettuce will work
• frozen mango/pineapple - this gives a "tropical" flavor. Sub whatever frozen fruit you have on hand, and you'll still have a delish smoothie. I buy big bags of frozen fruit every week specifically for smoothies.
• banana - helps add flavor, sweetness, and nutrients. Some like to add only half a banana.
• cucumber - sneaks in extra veggies. I will often sub cukes for carrots or other veggies.
• avocado - adds healthy fats, fully optional - if you add this be sure to drink the smoothie right away. I wouldn't freeze smoothies with avo in them. Sub nut butters/coco oil instead.
• liquid chlorophyll/spirulina/maca powder - fully optional, adds a few superfoods to the smoothie.
• protein powder/collagen - I don't add these to this smoothie because I don't like the flavor being messed with - but if you want to, you do you!

Home Cook Hacks:

I used to live in a busy house with lots of roommates. I would blend up a weeks worth of smoothies at once, and freeze them all. Below I have included a few time smoothie hacks.

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.

Option 4: Use Frozen Smoothies As Ice Packs

Follow option 1. Then, if you plan to go camping or out the next day, you can use your frozen smoothies as ice packs! Simply toss them in the cooler and enjoy in a few hours once they have thawed. Sometimes when camping, mine will stay cold for several days as they thaw out.

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