Swear on a bible, my mom was the first ever fan of smoothies. A product of a health-obsessed hypochondriac mama, my mom grew up in the 70s and got all the genes that make a person love alfalfa shots and hemp bread.
We grew up with Grapenuts as our go-to cereal. I didn't even know Chocolate Pebbles existed until I was 8 years old and gained a mad penchant for watching the Smurf's on NBC.
When we shopped, we went to the stores that smelt like magnesium and iron. Or we'd hit Sacco's fruit stand. Because mom was a locavore long before there was such.
When we ate out, she'd would tote us to Wendy's for salad bar and baked potatoes. (Nevermind the calorie count on 'em, there was salad and potato, and thusly, that's where she was taking us.) Ordering burgers was an off limits gig.
When we ate in, it was usually some sort of home cooked health food gourmet. Pesto and shrimp. Or salad or sandwiches on whole wheat. Or salad.
And for dessert? A jaunt down to the froyo shop, where we were allowed one topping.
Thing is, I wasn't the kid who thought this was cool.
I watched the Saturday morning commercials. I wanted the colored cereal. Donuts, cupcakes, candy candy candy.
Oh man, I loved me some candy.
But mom insisted on the fruits and the veggies.
And one day in the middle of all of this healthy foodiness, we moved to Orange County, CA, where my mother's passion for rawhealthypurelocalreal food found a million and a half sun-loving, healt fanatic soul humans as neighbors. It's the SoCal way. And she loved it.
Somewhere in the middle of all this all, the Juice Club opened in 1990. A shrine to all things fresh juice and smoothie, when my mama discovered stores that MADE FRUIT INTO DRINKS, she flipped her gourd, and we were there nearly daily, giant straws piercing foot-high cups of puree'd fruit.
My mama loved it. I thought it was meh.
Unless there was a scoopload of sherbet in the mix, smoothies were boring. And they gave me brainfreeze.
Over the years, I've come to detest smoothies less.
But they aren't my go-to eat. Or treat.
Still, as a busy mom and business gal, there are too many days that fly by without fruits and greens. DOES THIS HAPPEN TO YOU? Tell me it happens to you, DAMMIT. Tell me I am not the only one that can make it to 9pm and realize, "my god! I had neither fruit nor greens today."
Naughty.
But that's all about to change.
Because I was damn determined to find a quick, simple, easy-to-make smoothie. With stuff that I can always have on hand, since it sits in the freezer or pantry.
And for serious. I stood inside my kitchen, hovered over the blender like a cavegirl trying to discover fire, and blended and mixed and blended s'more.
But not s'mores.
Just s'more. Like, you know. Some'more.
And what came from that frenetic blending session was the most simple, basic, easy-to-make, absolutely delicious, tastes-great-everytime Green Smoothie Formula ever. Ever.
Did I say ever? Ever.
Three simple ingredients--greens, fruit, malk--puree'd in just-the-proper proportions. And what you get is a good ass smoothie everytime.
For convenience sake, I tend to hit Trader Joe's and buy a big ol' bag of frozen spinach. Because once spinach gets soggy with that weird sweetish smell, I gag. But the frozen stuff stays strong for pretty much eternity. And that makes my life happy. Because, no gagging.
So, now that you've seen beneath the pants of my smoothie history (SO MUCH SMOOTHIE OVERSHARE!), let's get this formula into your hands.
The recap:
- I once detested smoothies.
- If you also think they's bad,
- I think you'll find this Formula
- Actually makes green smoothies rad.
I will never poet again. Promise.
Now go. Get yer green smoothie on.
The Only Green Smoothie Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Learn more about this recipe on Instagram@cheekykitchen
Though there are entire books dedicated to dozens of smoothie recipes, just three easy ingredients can get more alkalizing greens into your day. In fact, this recipe isn't just a recipe. It's a formula for tasty real food smoothies that work, no matter what fruit you use. Whip up one for breakfast. And for the more satiating and satisfying breakfast, add a scoop of pea or collagen protein. Or, if you haven't eliminated nuts, feel free to use a scoop of almond butter.
Makes 1 smoothie | 5 minutes
- 2 cups fresh or frozen organic spinach (or any green)
- 1 cup frozen organic mango (or any frozen fruit)
- 1 cup coconut, hemp or almond milk
Puree all ingredients together until smooth. Add a little water if a thinner consistency is preferred.
Try These Add-ins:
- A drop or two of stevia OR a smidgen of
- Add 1/2 frozen banana for no-sugar sweetening & creamy yummness
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- Pinch cinnamon or cardamon
- 1 Tbsp liquid coconut oil (for added energy and satiation)
- A squeeze of citrus. Lemon, lime or orange are favorites.
- A scoop of vanilla plant-based or collagen protein powder
FLAVOR SWAPS
- Green Banana Ice Cream. Add 1 frozen banana, instead of the mango.
- Very Berry. Add 1 cup frozen mixed organic berries instead of mango. A drop of stevia can sweeten the mix.
- Peachy Cream. Add 1/2 frozen banana and 1/2 cup frozen peaches, with a pinch of cinnamon for a delicious ice-cream-like smoothie.
