What’s in my smoothies?
Before I started the challenged, I pinned quite a few different green smoothies that I wanted to try. In reality, I glanced at a few of the recipes to get a sense of the ingredients and the proportions. Then, my inner smoothie-maker started to emerge.
I haven’t been following any strict recipes. Instead have been experimenting with whatever’s in the house and seeing how it turns out. I’ve used everything from milk, water, coconut water, yogurt, frozen/fresh spinach, frozen peaches, frozen mangos, frozen/fresh berries, apples and kale. I haven’t been measuring the ingredients, mostly eye-balling it. It’s funny because even after almost 15 years, I remember what the basic building blocks of a smoothie should look like in a blender.
My favorite smoothie so far has been this one.
- Zico mango coconut water (1/2 cup – 1 cup)
- Chobani nonfat plain yogurt (1/2 cup)
- Frozen peaches (1/2 cup – 3/4 cup)
- 4-5 strawberries fresh from the farmers market
What blender am I using?
When I started the challenge, I used a Krups blender that my husband and I received as a wedding gift nearly 9 years ago. While it still functioned, it was definitely not performing well. So, I asked for a Vitamix as a combined Mother’s Day and birthday present. Quite simply, it is amazing.
Notice any differences?
While it’s only been 11 days, I have noticed one major difference. I’m not as hungry during the day when I have a green smoothie for breakfast. That’s huge for me. Normally, I have breakfast around 7:30am but I’m STARVING by 10am, regardless if I’ve worked out or not. I’m considering switching my green smoothie to the afternoon to see if it has a similar effect on my afternoon blahs and hunger.
While it’s been fun experimenting, I feel like I should be more diligent about measuring my ingredients. Smoothies are one of those things that can easily balloon in size and calories. The whole point of this challenge isn’t to have an excuse to sugar-laden dessert drink every day but to reap the health benefits of green smoothies.
I excited for the rest of this challenge. I’m really curious to see if I feel any other noticeable differences by the end of the month.
Do you drink green smoothies? What are some of your favorite combos? Have you noticed any differences since you started drinking green smoothies? I post most of my smoothies on Instagram so come and follow me there!
Ohh my peach& strawberry smoothie sounds amazing. I think I might need to hop on this bandwagon next month. (better late than never?!) lol
I love smoothies. I only every meal could be as easy as a smoothie
Definitely better late than never! I swear, you can’t taste the greens, especially if you use something like baby spinach. I too wish every meal could be a smoothie!
I love drinking green smoothies every morning, I have been doing it for months and the days that I do not have them I feel like something is missing. I love using coconut water for my green smoothies.
I know. It’s funny how quickly I’ve become used to drinking them. I do love them.
Yummmmmmmm! Is that broccoli in the berry smoothie?
No broccoli. Just spinach but now you have me thinking about throwing some broccoli in there.
OMGosh Weve been making for ages—who knew about the adding the greens FIRST?!
YOU inspired me way back when with your green smoothie post. Greens first helps so much.
THOSE LOOK YUMMY! Definitely going to try these recipes!
They are yummy. I didn’t think that I was going to like them as much as I have. Not super sweet which smoothies can be sometimes.
I’m not doing the challenge but I do try to get a green smoothie a few times a week. I’ve never put Zicco in – yum!
I know, I didn’t think about Zico before either but happened to have some in the fridge so decided to try it. Loved it!!
These look amazing!!! I am doing the challenge too…needing some new recipes! Thanks!
Yay! It’s been fun to follow people who are doing the challenge and to see what concoctions everyone has been coming up with. Seriously, I’m willing to experiment with just about anything now.
Yep, I’m drinking one right now! I’ve also got a Vitamix and it is by far the best purchase I’ve ever made. That is so cool that you used to make smoothies for Tiger Woods!!
I’m not sure how I lived without a Vitamax before. Yeah, it was funny when he would come in because he would try to hide behind a baseball cap, etc.
I love green smoothies! That Mango coconut water sounds amazing!
It is delicious! Love finding new ways to use ingredients.
yes! the spinach at the bottom was one of the best tips i got when i started adding it to my smoothies! so much easier
Best tip ever. I can’t remember where I heard it but so helpful!
Sounds amazing! Plus, really intrigued by the fact that it has helped with morning hunger. Can’t wait to hear about the effects of an afternoon smoothie.
I was surprised that I wasn’t as hungry during the day. I’ll definitely keep you posted on the afternoon hunger bit. That’s definitely something that I have to work on!
Yum! You’re doing awesome on the challenge- I didn’t officially sign up, but make them most days… my favorite combo is yogurt, frozen blueberries, banana, and spinach. I like the idea of adding coconut water!
Yum! I will have to try that combination. It’s funny but since our boys are allergic to bananas, I never have them in the house. I might have to sneak some into the house this week so I can put them in my smoothies.
I am now very jealous of your blender.
I <3 my new blender.
I love green smoothies but never thought to add coconut water. yum!
I know, I never would have thought of it either if I didn’t have some in the fridge and frankly, nothing else to add except plain water!
I just recently planted some spinach, so I’m really looking forward to when it’s ready to eat. I’ve yet to try a green smoothie, but from all the blogs I’ve read, everyone seems to enjoy them. I’ll definitely need to try out all different combinations.
They are really great and I swear, especially if you use spinach, you can hardly taste it in the smoothie. I’d imagine it would be even more delicious with home-grown spinach!
I don’t do smoothies as much as when I was younger – something about this old bod… maybe it got overloaded in my younger days!
BUT if I had a Vitamiz, which I can’t afford, I would do it! 
I’m pretty grateful for the Vitamix which makes things super easy. But I hope that it’s not possible to be overloaded by smoothies!!
Glad you’re really feeling the benefits of the green smoothies! I find, too, that when I do make smoothies they are quite satiating. However, I dont make them nearly as often as I like, because I desperately need a vitamix. Haha
my old mini second-rate blender doesn’t always make it as quick and easy as it should be.
haha! That was totally my excuse for the Vitamix to my husband – but I need it if I”m going to do this challenge…I don’t think he fully bought into it
Can you make meeeee one?! It sounds like such a success and I love that!! But I agree – they can balloon in calories, thus why I tend to shy away, unless I know how many is in it and know that it will be satisfying! but it sounds like these really are!!
I’d love to make one for you!! Yes, I need to watch the portion sizes. It’s true what they say about drinking your calories. It’s so easy to do. But it’s greens…doesn’t that count for something??
Jealous of your vitamix. my old school oster is finally giving way. I can either a) by a new base for my jar (cheapest & easiest) or b) buy a new blender like a vitamix. does it seem I am just looking for an excuse to buy one? Costco has them at a great price right now.
I am going to try that smoothie combo. Sounds delicious! But I am a big fan of mango. Not Zico, but I will give it another go.
Get it!! It puts my old blender to shame. Seriously takes about 30 seconds to blend. I totally used Mother’s Day and my birthday as an excuse
I love green smoothies I too experiment with what i have around the house… And I feel way better when I have one to start my day.. My son makes one for my grandson every morning too.,, he loves them and a great way to get veggies in a toddler!!!
My husband has started requesting them too! It’s pretty funny. He looked at me skeptically when I started making them and now he loves them. I tried to convince my kids to try it but they smirked. Oh well. I’ll get them to taste one soon enough!
These smoothies look great!! I have been working on getting healthier – I will have to try these smoothie recipies – it looks like a great way to fill up in the morning!!
They are a super easy way to get some greens and fruit in first thing in the morning.
Love this! I’m inspired to make blueberry smoothies today. Ever tried that?
I have made these with blueberries in them. They are delicious!
I got a Vitamix about 3 weeks ago but I’ve been too intimidated to use it yet. How silly is that?! It just looks so beautiful and sassy and red. OK, I’m off to try a green smoothie. Thanks for the nudge. Have a powerful weekend, Allegra
I was a little intimidated by it too but it’s so easy to use and easy to clean. Hope that you got to try a green smoothie!