Summer Sipping: Five Healthy Green Smoothie Recipes That Don't Taste Like GrASS

It's the middle of the summer and that time of the year when people start considering blended drinks for breakfast. The best place to look for recipes for such things is the internet. That's probably how you're reading this now, and thank you.

It's the middle of the summer and that time of the year when people start considering blended drinks for breakfast. The best place to look for recipes for such things is the internet. That's probably how you're reading this now, and thank you.

I liked the idea of green smoothies before I ever liked green smoothies, but I find a lot of recipes boring and tasteless. Or boring and gross.

So I went exploring in my local grocery store and bought up all the frozen fruits and fresh herbs and got experimenting. These are the five favourite recipes I've come up with that shake up my morning breakfast routine and afternoon snacks.

Image: Tom Watts

Two ingredients pop up a lot in these recipes: maca powder and pea protein powder. I throw protein powder in all of my recipes to round out my diet. I specifically use pea protein because it's not animal-based and it's odourless and tasteless. It's basically the iocane powder of the protein powders (points if you get that reference.) Maca powder is made from a Peruvian root and is rich in vitamins and minerals and is supposed to help with hormone balance in men and women. I'd be lying if I told you since drinking it regularly my hormones feel balanced but I can tell you it adds a nutty malt flavor to the smoothies that I like a lot.

So go forth my friend, blend things that are healthy but equally as important that taste delicious.

And if you're going to be blending and drinking your greens I believe you should be full and satisfied afterwards so each recipe makes two pint-sized servings. Drink two in one go, or save one for a snack or tomorrow's breakfast.

American As Apple Pie Smoothie

This smoothie is a sweet reminder of my Mid-western roots. The almonds make it rich and hearty, so it's a good breakfast for an active day!

Top tip: If your blender has trouble taking on firmer foods, soak the almonds overnight in water to soften them.

Image: Tom Watts

Ingredients:

2Granny Smith Apples

1/2Frozen Banana

4Ice cubes

50gKale (one handful)

50gRaw almonds (one handful)

1inFresh Ginger Root

1.5tspCinnamon

1tbspMaca powder (optional)

1tbsp Pea protein (optional)

1pintWater

Instructions:

Roughly chop and add ingredients to blender with the softest ingredients at the bottom and hardest at the top. Add water and blend on high till smooth.

Sip & enjoy.

Summer Essential Smoothie

This is one of my favourites for the summer because it's ultra refreshing. The basil adds a little savoury pep. Add more ice if you want it super cold; add more watermelon if you want it a bit sweeter.

Image: Tom Watts

Ingredients:

4 Ice cubes

2 Stalks of basil (about 13 grams)

Juice of half a lemon

100gSpinach (2 handfuls)

200gWatermelon

1pint Water

Instructions:

Roughly chop and add ingredients to blender with the softest ingredients at the bottom and hardest at the top. Add water and blend on high till smooth.

Sip and take a selfie.

Spicy Summer Mango Smoothie

This is the first smoothie I ever made without following someone else's recipe. It's sweet and SPICY. If you don't like things super hot use half a chilli or no chilli at all, but if you're bold and daring, go for the whole shebang.

Image: Tom Watts

Ingredients:

1/2Cucumber

1Green chilli (omit if you're not into spice)

Juice of half a lime

100g Spinach (2 handfuls)

160gFrozen mango (2 handfuls)

20g Fresh mint (a bunch)

1tbspMaca powder (optional)

1tbspPea protein powder (optional)

1pintWater

Instructions:

Roughly chop and add ingredients to blender with the softest ingredients at the bottom and hardest at the top. Add water and blend on high till smooth.

Sip and be smug af.

Island Breeze Smoothie

Now I know you're reading this to gather ideas for healthy green smoothies. And that's what I'm giving you. Also, if you added some rum to this one you'd have a healthy green Pina Colada. Live your best life.

Image: Tom Watts

Ingredients:

1/2Cucumber

1/2 Avocado

Juice of half a lemon

100g Spinach (2 handfuls)

100g Frozen pineapple (1 handful)

2tbspCoconut Flakes

1tbspPea protein powder (optional)

1pint Water

Instructions:

Roughly chop and add ingredients to blender with the softest ingredients at the bottom and hardest at the top. Add water and blend on high till smooth.

Sip and slip into conversation that you drink green smoothies.

Strawberry Chocolate Shake

Never forget, you deserve nice things. Nice things like health, longevity, and chocolate. Everyone deserves chocolate.

Image: Tom Watts

Ingredients:

1/2 Cucumber

1 Frozen banana

50g Kale (one handful)

150g Frozen strawberries

2tbsp Cocoa powder (unsweetened)

1tbsp Maca powder (optional)

1tbsp Pea protein powder (optional)

1pint Water

Instructions:

Roughly chop and add ingredients to blender with the softest ingredients at the bottom and hardest at the top. Add water and blend on high till smooth.

Sip and congratulate yourself that you just had chocolate for breakfast.

I hope you enjoy the recipes. Feel free to share your creations with me on Twitter: @abigoliah or Instagram: @namastebitchespodcast.

After all, if a person drinks a green smoothie and doesn't share it on social media, is it still healthy?

_______

Recipes: Abigoliah Schamaun is a stand-up comic and yoga instructor living in London. She'll be taking her new show, Abigoliah Schamaun: Namaste, Bitches to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe at the Underbelly Cowgate from August 3-27 (not 15). Find out more about her at abigoliah.com.

Photography: Tom Watts is a director of photography living on London. You can find out more about his work at tomwatts.london or on Instagram: @TomWattsDOP

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