Energy Boosting Green Smoothie | A Care Partners Best Friend
An energy-boosting green smoothie is definitely the way to go if you are trying to stave off fatigue during the day. I have been drinking smoothies regularly for well over a decade now, and I’ve turned many people onto them. If you are a busy care partner taking care of the ones you love, drinking green smoothies that are loaded with nutrients will keep you going throughout your day, and this energy-boosting green smoothie is going to quickly become your best friend – in no time flat.
This energy-boosting green smoothie is great for the young and old. Kids like the color and their sweetness, especially because the sweetness comes from the frozen bananas. But the majority of adults also like green smoothies. Not just for their health benefits but, whenever I drink a green smoothie, my body seems to instantly come to life. I can literally feel the nutrients and hydration washing over me. Plain and simple, green smoothies make me feel great.
Plus green smoothies are a quick way to get your daily fruit and vegetable servings, and they are very portable, so you can take them in your car, on the bus, or train.
Did you know smoothies made with bananas and mangoes can actually improve blood sugar? This study HERE showed that a phytonutrient called mangiferin, which is found in both bananas and mangoes may slow down sugar absorption through the wall of the intestine.
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Recipe Tips
For a creamier, thicker, milkshake-like consistency, use frozen fruit instead of fresh.
When building your smoothie, always add the lighter ingredients first, like the leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and powders. Then add the heavier ingredients like the frozen fruit and ice. The heavier ingredients push everything down deep into your blender, allowing for an even blend.
Choose more natural, unprocessed, sweeteners like frozen bananas, dates, pure maple syrup, and honey for your smoothies.
Notes About The Recipe
- This recipe makes two 16-ounce servings. Double the recipe if you want to make more for your family, or cut it in half to make a single serving.
- If you are not going to be drinking your smoothie right away, fill each mason jar as close to the top as reasonable, place the lid on tightly, and store it in the fridge. This will preserve the nutrients longer.
Handy Kitchen Tools For This Recipe
You do not need many tools to make smoothies but having a powerful blender can make all of the difference when you are blending. These are the tools I use in my kitchen on a daily basis.
- Blender – these blenders are, in my opinion, the best on the market. They are pricey but well worth the cost because they will last forever. I bought mine over 10 years ago and it is still running perfectly, with no repairs. And that is considering I use my blender every single day, if not 2-3 times per day.
- Mason jars – these wide-mouth 16-ounce glass jars are perfect for individual smoothie servings but I also use them for many other things like for jams, jellies, puddings, and more.
Energy Boosting Green Smoothie Ingredients
- Romaine lettuce is a mild leafy green that works well for smoothies
- baby kale is nutritious and fiber-filled
- zucchini is a great way to get the perfect smoothie texture (I promise you do not taste it!)
- frozen mango – filled with lots of beautiful nutrients, vitamin C, and antioxidants
- frozen banana – a great source of potassium and magnesium
- ground flax seed for healthy omega-3 fatty acids and fiber
- organic unsweetened soy milk or any alternative milk you desire
- ice cubes to make your smoothie icy cold and thick like a milkshake
optional ingredients you might want to consider
Plant-based protein powder for a little extra dose of protein and sweetener
Pure maple syrup or dates for a touch of sweetness
Here are links to some ingredients you may be unfamiliar with but you may also want to experiment with in your green smoothie.
I don’t use protein powder all of the time but every once in a while, like after a weight training session, I like to add a little to my energy-boosting green smoothie.
I have researched a lot of protein powders, and these are a few of my favorites
Energy Boosting Green Smoothie Preparation
Gather all of the smoothie ingredients, and clean mason jars, before you begin.
Wash all of your leafy greens and zucchini thoroughly, and pat dry.
Energy Boosting Green Smoothie Directions
After washing the greens thoroughly, break them into pieces, and place it in a strong blender.
Once the zucchini is washed, roughly chop it up, and place it in the blender.
Add the frozen mango and banana next.
Next, add the ground flax and vanilla protein powder (if using).
And the pure maple syrup OR date (if using).
Next, add the ice cubes.
Pour in the soy milk (or the alternative milk of your choice).
Blend until creamy.
Pour into the 2 drinking glasses or mason jars.
ENJOY!
How To Store
Smoothies do not last very long, I’d say no more than 24 hours. Once the fruit and veggies are blended, the nutrients start to break down. So it is best to consume, if not immediately, then shortly after you make them.
check out these additional recipes to go with your energy-boosting green smoothie
Delicious Salad With Tofu | Simple Dairy-Free Caesar Dressing
The Best Sourdough Pretzels With Starter
Let’s be social
If you make this Green Smoothie, I would love if you give it 5 stars and comment below.
And you can always follow me and my life on Cape Cod on my Instagram page @dawndunkin
FREE Green Smoothie Recipe Guide!
VIDEO: Green smoothie ingredients discussed plus step-by-step directions on how to make this Energy Boosting Green Smoothie Recipe
Printable Recipe For You To Enjoy
Energy Boosting Green Smoothie
Equipment
- 1 strong blender This is the one I have. I promise it is worth the investment. These are the Cadillac of blenders. I've had mine for 10+ years now, and it is still going strong.
- 2 16oz drinking glasses or mason jars I like mason jars for my smoothies. You can seal them up tight and put them in the fridge for whenever you are ready to drink them.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Romaine lettuce approx 6 large leaves, washed well
- 2 cups baby kale
- 1/2 zucchini no need to peel if it is organic
- 1 cup frozen mango
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 tbsp ground flax seed
- 1 tbsp vanilla unsweetened protein powder Optional
- 1-1/2 cup organic unsweetened soymilk or any alternative milk you desire
- 6 ice cubes this makes your smoothie icy cold and thick like a milkshake
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup OR 1 softened date (depitted) Optional but if you desire your smoothie to be a little sweeter. NOTE: Use either the maple syrup of the date. You should not need both.
Instructions
- Wash green thoroughly and place in a strong blender.
- Wash zucchini, roughly chop, and place in the blender.
- Add the frozen mango and banana.
- Add the ground flax and vanilla protein powder (if using).
- Add the pure maple syrup OR date (if using).
- Add the ice cubes.
- Pour in the soy milk (or the alternative milk of your choice).
- Blend until creamy.
- Pour into the 2 drinking glasses, or mason jars.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- If you find you need a blender often, I highly recommend investing in a Vitamix. They are more expensive than other brands but I promise you will not be disappointed. The Vitamix motor is so powerful, it can blend even an avocado pit!
- THIS is the one I own, and I’ve had it now for over 10 years. I like the 64oz lower canister because it sits more readily on the kitchen counter, under the cabinets, but still holds as much as the regular canister size.
- Here are links to some ingredients you may not be familiar with but may want to experiment with in your green smoothie.
- Favorite plant-based proteins
This is my go to daily smoothie! The best!
Absolutely, mine too!