I make green smoothies a lot, and I like to pride myself in creating really healthy things that actually taste delicious, and this green smoothie (which I made just then!) is one of them. It's a really basic recipe and it took little to no time at all!
Most of the ingredients are ready-prepared, except for the coconut which I had to chop open (and when I don't have coconut, I just leave it out and add more almond milk or water, to replace the liquid base) - so if you have these ingredients handy, then you have no excuses! Making a green smoothie is easy-peasy Japanese-y.
Read on to see how I made tonight's green smoothie. :)
Note: This recipe filled one whole glass (how much the glass holds, I could not possibly fathom).
Ingredients
Half of the water from a drinking coconut (I spilled the other half hacking the coconut open with a meat cleaver ~sad face~)
A few spoon scrapings of coconut flesh
One frozen strawberry (I buy these pre-frozen)
Half a dozen frozen banana bits (I freeze them myself, breaking the banana into small pieces by hand before freezing)
A large handful of spinach/baby spinach
A tablespoon of white chia seeds (could use black chia seeds too, they are exactly the same)
A splash of unsweetened almond milk (there was a little bit left in the carton and wanted to finish it off)
Method
Now this is the really complicated part!
Put all ingredients in blender and blend until blended.
Note: Putting the frozen things and the coconut flesh (if your coconut flesh isn't soft) at the bottom underneath the spinach helps it all blend together faster. I find.
More Notes/Tips
*Almond milk should not contain any sweeteners, including cane sugar. The sweetness from the banana, strawberry and coconut will suffice! More than suffice.
*Don't put too many berries in your smoothie. I don't like to put many strawberries or any blueberries in because they can cancel out the green of your spinach/kale and make your smoothie look like poop. If your green smoothie is brown, you're less likely to put it in your mouth. That's my philosophy. You're welcome.
*The almond milk can also help highlight the green-ness of your smoothie. It makes it look a bit creamier and brighter than if you use only water or only coconut water (which is what I do sometimes).
*If you like it more chilled, add a couple of ice cubes.
*If you substitute spinach out for kale, use just the leaves, not the stems, unless you don't like your smoothies to be smooth. Or use baby kale. I freaking love that stuff. I don't know where to find it in Australia though.
*Try not to spill the precious coconut water when you cut it open. Every time I do I grunt really loudly and scream, "URGHHHH SO MUCH WASTAGE!!!!!"... I love coconut water.
I probably have more tips but I'm gonna stop there.
