Green SmoothieSo over summer I’ve switched up my brekkie routine somewhat. Along with my regular Whey Less smoothies, I’ve been enjoying green smoothies as well! 

If you haven’t tried a green smoothie yet, I highly recommend you do! It’s a great way to get extra fruit and veg into your day – and it’s a wonderful way to wake up and start off on a healthy footing (not to mention they’re delicious and convenient!).

There are innumerable variations of the green smoothie, and I’ll share with you exactly how to come up with your own perfect creation. But first – let’s take a look at my go-to, everyday recipe!

 

My Green Smoothie

  • 100 ml of chilled, filtered water
  • 125 ml coconut water
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 1 scoop of Whey Less Natural***
  • 1/2 banana (frozen pieces** – this gives the smoothie a beautiful, ice-cold, creamy thickshake texture)
  • 1/2 mango (frozen pieces**)
  • A good handful of spinach (the green bit!)
  • 1/2 tsp vitamin C powder (this boosts the vitamin C and antioxidant levels in my smoothie. I use this one because it’s a brilliant formula and it adds a fruity, zingy flavour – YUM!)
  • 2 tsp greens powder (this is a nice, added extra that supercharges my smoothie. I use this one because it contains over 34 organic ingredients that include nettle, spirulina, alfalfa, kale, fermented flaxseed/quinoa/lentils and kakadu plum, maca, beetroot, mesquite, acai, pomegranate, and probiotics AND herbals antioxidants green tea and rosemary!!)

Green Smoothie Basics

If making one feels a little intimidating, please don’t let it put you off. There are no hard and fast rules to how these things should go but a great formula to follow is:

  • 200-300ml of a liquid base – this just depends on how thick you like it (less liquid = thicker smoothie)
  • 1-2 serves of fruit (about a cup) – it’s preferable to use what’s in season and, unless you’re physically active, try and balance high-sugar tropical fruits with low-sugar options like berries (say half-and-half)
  • A handful of greens (about a cup) – you can choose any, or a combination of greens but spinach is a nice mild choice if you’re just starting out
  • Protein powder (about 15-20 grams of actual protein) – this is my own personal not-negotiable addition because no meal is complete without protein (and fat) and to keep your blood sugar and hormone levels happy, it helps. However, if you’re having this smoothie with a brekkie of eggs for example –  the protein powder then becomes unnecessary
  • Healthy fats – this is another one of my own personal not-negotiable additions – a teaspoon of coconut oil or a tablespoon of freshly ground flaxseeds are a great way to add healthy, blood- and hormone-balancing fats to your smoothie (really important for feeling full too!)
  • Extra goodies –  you can also throw in herbs like fresh mint or ground maca, or even spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavour
  • Sweeteners – you may not need any extra sweetness in your smoothie, but if you’re just starting out and finding the greens a little overwhelming – you may like to add something to sweeten things up just a little (especially if you’re not using fruits like banana or mango). Firstly, you could use a little more fruit and a little less greens until your palate becomes accustomed to it. A couple of dates are another option – with their vitamin C and fibre they’re ideal! If you are going to add honey, maple syrup or agave keep it to just a teaspoon

Green Smoothie Inspiration Board

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** frozen fruit pieces are a great way to chill the smoothie and make it ultra-refreshing. It also gives a thicker, creamier texture which is really enjoyable! My advice is to chop the fruit and store portion-sized parcels in zip lock bags like this before freezing.

*** about the Whey Less. You can use any good quality, low-carbohydrate protein powder you wish, but unflavoured works best. I work for this company and sell this product on TVSN. But I work for this company because they’re amazing and I personally use (and recommend) Whey Less because it is an outstanding formula. I love it both for what is in it, and what has been left out. The key stand-out things to mention are:

  • Whey Less contains…
    • ultra-purified, high-grade whey protein isolate and concentrate (please note cold, enzymatic, ultrafiltration techniques have been utilised to preserve the quality of the protein)
    • added vitamins, minerals, and glutamine
    • probiotics for digestive support
    • a ‘chill pill’ called Lactium that research shows stimulate the activity of GABA. This neurotransmitter inhibits anxiety (and thus reduces stress) which amongst other things may reduce emotional eating
  • Whey Less does not contain…
    • nasty chemicals like artificial sweeteners, flavours, preservatives etc
    • things you don’t want or need like casein and gluten
    • any GMO ingredients