A good green smoothie is a delicate balance - too many greens and you feel like you’re drinking a salad, while not using enough means you lose out on important nutrients. So how do you find that intersection of flavor and health? The trick is using the right formula.
Start with your greens: you can use any mild flavored leafy vegetable. In this smoothie, we chose kale. Kale has been a favorite in my smoothies for a while because it stays fresh in the fridge (or freezer), is packed with nutrients and tastes great. Spinach, baby kale, or collard greens would also work.
Next you want to build up that creamy smoothie texture. We used frozen bananas because they add natural sweetness and create a perfect, rich consistency when blended. You can also use avocado for some healthy fats or yogurt for a protein boost.
Now it’s time for the fun part - flavor! The trick is to add a tropical or citrus fruit to your smoothie to balance the bitterness of the greens. We used kiwi for its tangy flavor and bright color, but mango, pineapple, mandarin oranges, lemon and lime are also great.
The last step is to add any additional flavor or vitamin-rich superfoods to take your smoothie to the next level. A spoonful of Pumpkin Seed Butter really thickens this smoothie up and provides protein for staying power, so you won’t be hungry thirty minutes later. A little bit of matcha also adds some caffeine, so be careful if you’re drinking this later in the day, or omit the tea if you’re sensitive to caffeine. Feel free to sprinkle chia seeds, hemp hearts, flax or some crunchy Seed'nola on top for a delicious healthy meal.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Matcha powder
- 1 whole kiwi, skin removed
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1 cup greens (baby spinach or kale, stems removed both work well)
- 2 tablespoons 88 Acres Pumpkin Seed Butter
- 1 cup milk of choice
Directions
Peel, cut in half and freeze the banana until solid, at least two hours or overnight. Add all ingredients to the bowl of a high powered blender and blend until kale is completely broken down and the smoothie is a light green color. If your blender is struggling to blend, add more water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the smoothie forms a “tornado” in the blender. Pour into a tall glass or mason jar and enjoy.
That's it! I hope you enjoy the Green Acres Smoothie as much as I do.
Sincerely,
Nicole
