So, how are the New Year’s resolutions going? None of my words had to do with food this year, but I definitely started 2012 with a desire to eat lots of green, lots of organic and only a little meat. While we were in Arizona, I made daily visits to the spa juice bar to fuel up on crazy concoctions of beets, watercress, pineapple, spinach, bananas and more…and I always left feeling so energetic. Back at home, I’ve been experimenting with some of the same ingredients to make the healthiest smoothies I can dream up, and this Lean Green Power Smoothie is the current winner in terms of nutrient-packed and delicious (my husband has even jumped on the train.) Keep reading for the recipe…and I would love to hear your favorite smoothie combinations in the comments below so I can try them out!
Lean Green Power Smoothie
1/2 pineapple, peeled, cored and chopped
1/2 english cucumber, peeled and chopped
1/2 ripe pear, peeled, cored and chopped
juice from 1 lime
1 cup baby spinach leaves
10 mint leaves, chopped
1 tsp agave nectar
crushed ice
Purée ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into 2 glasses, garnish with a cucumber spear and serve.
*serves 2
I have a spinach smoothie every morning and the change in my hair and nails and overall energy is amazing! I have a juicer as well but I find that it is just so much easier to throw some fruit into a blender, add spinach and go.
I’ve never tried cucumber in my smoothie but I’ll give this recipe a go!
This is perfect timing! I had a mini breakdown yesterday and decided green smoothies would solve everything so I made one with spinach, kale, banana, blueberries, apple, a cup of coconut milk and sprinkled some flax seed meal on top. I felt healthier just looking at it. Can’t wait to try your recipe!
Oh YUM! I love that combo – especially the coconut milk. I bet it made it taste almost tropical!
I actually use coconut water in my smoothies. It hydrates your body more efficiently than water and its so yummy. Also it has lots less calories than coconut milk for those of us who watch that. I love it.
Green juice is soooo good! Mine’s got kale, apple, pear, celery, spinach, cucumber, broccoli stems, romaine and a little bit of fresh ginger! Yum!
You’re making me want a Vitamix or Blendtec even more than usual. I don’t have room on my kitchen counter for such things. My juicer is taking up the lion’s share of space.
I bought a Ninja and it only takes up a small area and works great!
I started juicing using my Ninja and it worked great, but still had a large amount of pulp. I bought a NutriBullet and am super happy with it!
Wow, that recipe sounds amazing! My husband and I just bought a juicer and have revamped our kitchen to just include our blender and juicer (and kitchenaid mixer
) so that we can cleanse too! We’ve experimented with some recipes but none sound this delicious! I’m definitely going to try it! My fav. juice recipe so far is: apple, carrot, and a generous portion of ginger. I love the war all the fruits and veggies make me feel!
I need to use ginger in more smoothies…one of my fave flavors, and so nutritional! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I will definitely be trying this one! One of my fave green smoothies includes a half a peeled green apple, a couple leaves of stemmed kale, almond milk, and a banana. I also like to throw in a little avocado or flax. I’ve even added zucchini to my smoothies- it has a surprisingly neutral flavor!
Mmmmm! Love the idea of adding avocado because I bet it gives it a rich creamy flavor…not to mention all kinds of healthy fats!
ahhh these smoothies look delish!! i can’t wait to try. i’m always looking for something to kick start my morning xxo
perfect. i’m trying to put my magic bullet to good use!
oh we’re definitely trying this.
Sound yummy! Do you own a juicer? Also, are you using only organic produce?
Yep, I’ve gone all organic as of late. And I actually don’t own a juicer because I like to keep all the healthy fiber from the fruit – I use my amazing Vitamix blender for smoothies!
My favorite is called strawberry shortcake, from Whole Foods!!
It’s strawberries, bananas, almond milk, almond butter, agave, and ice!! Super smooth, tasty, and filling!
xo
Shannon
So glad you shared this! I just got a juicer and blender for Christmas so I have been smoothie/juice crazy. I found a recipe for a smoothie with kale, cucumber, pinepple and raspberries that was very tasty. Another good combo is spinach, banana, peaches and mangos!
This looks so good! We got a vitamix a couple months ago and have been making the smoothies in Kimberly Snyder beauty detox book, especially the glowing green smoothie and I was surprised how good they actually taste (if you drink them cold). This combination looks really good though – definitely will try it!
This looks absolutely amazing! I’ve been looking for some healthy smoothie recipes lately, and I can’t wait to try this one out!
I literally just made and tried your recipe, it’s delish!!
I recently tried to follow Mark Bittman’s logic of being a vegan until 6pm (and I am a lover of meat and dairy). The smoothies are really helping! Here’s what I add:
handful of kale and/or spinach
1/2 a banana (I think this is key for consistency)
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup blueberries
tablespoon hemp protein powder (keeps me full for hours)
tablespoon flax seed
teaspoon cocao
pour almond milk until most of its covered
Hi! I am huge fan of the blog, love it all! I especially loved this smoothie recipe. Thanks for posting, it was delicious! I tried it out for my blog Cheese Please and gave you a shout out
http://cheesepleasebyjess.blogspot.com/2012/01/lean-green-smoothie.html
Awesome – thanks SO much Jess! So glad you like the recipe, it’s definitely going down as a favorite around here
that’s great… i ve already ordered my kitchen aid blender which should be here any minute… actually i am waiting for the postman to ring my bell… and i’ll get started. how exiting!
i am really rooking forward to feel better and have more energy.. this is everything i am hoping for with those green smoothies… ok, if i can loose a few pounds, i won’t be sharing a single tear!
thw for sharing, i will be trying your receipt soon!
Just made this and it’s amazing! I used my bullit which worked great since I could change the amount of ingredients for me and my hubbie. I’m going to use a frozen banana tomorrow to add texture and sweet to the smoothie!
Ditto – I think a banana would add fantastic texture. Let me know what you think!
Banana + Avocado = AWESOME. Great texture and taste!!!
Thanks for this recipe! I’ve been on a smoothie kick lately…I tried this one out and loved it! I cut the ingredient quantities down to serve one, added some chia seeds, a little coconut juice, some extra mint and used Truvia instead of agave. It tastes just like a mojito – delightful!
Sounds great except the agave nectar part! Agave is horrible for you, it as as much fructose in it as corn syrup, so even though you may think you’re getting a good healthy smoothie you should stir clear of it.
http://www.whosay.com/kimberlysnyder/photos/69136 read more there.
I just tried this recipe. It’s my first attempt at green smoothies and I’ve always been apprehensive to try them. It is delicious! The mint and cucumber make it so fresh and the pineapple and pear are a perfect fruit combination! Thank you so much. I’m no longer afraid of green smoothies!
I made this recipe this morning. It is really good and refreshing! Instead of pear I put in a whole banana. Will definitely make this everything morning!
one of the best green smoothies I have had in a long time! delicious!
I just started having a Green Smoothie every morning, and it has been great!
My Favorite Recipe:
1 Banana
1 Mango
4 Cups of Baby Spinach
1.5 Cups of Orange Juice
**Be Sure to Garnish with something pretty (Raspberries are super easy)
Thanks so much for sharing this, I love your blog!
Victoria
I also have a green smoothie: 2 parts greens (which I chop up 1st (spinach, dandelion leaves from Whole Foods). Then 2 parts any kind of fruit. Trader Joe’s has a mango puree in the freezer section. I also use frozen organic blueberries or strawberries. The strawberries with the greens, however, give it an unpleasant brown color. Just close your eyes. Bananas are good, you need potassium and they reduce your need for a sweetener. Local honey is good for seasonal allergies, but blends better when you add a little water to a custard cup to liquify it in the Microwave about 20 seconds before you add it to the blender. I also use either apple juice to blueberry/pom. to liquify.