The Only Green Smoothie Recipe You'll Ever Need (5 Simple Steps!)
I got my very first high powered blender from the always charming Nate Berkus in 2011. It was a Vitamix. Back then I was running publicity for a non-profit in New York City and that baby was the Tesla of the blender world costing a whopping $700 a pop—way beyond my price point.
Green smoothies were also the new “it girl” of breakfast beauties. I felt like I’d won the foodie lottery to be able make them out of my very own Brooklyn kitchen. I couldn’t wait to plug her in so she could show off her ability to grind, chop, and blend my breakfast fantasies to life.
My then neighbor and bestie, Katie and I used to meet up every morning to conjure up recipes. We’d stand around my new gadget like witches over a cauldron adding a little of this and little of that before making the daily train ride to work in Soho.
I loved my morning smoothie ritual. I felt satisfied and full, yet still light. Topping my green drink with a few pistachios, almonds, or my new favorite ancient grain granola could keep me going all the way through my lunch time workout. I had some version of the recipe I eventually perfected every morning for 6 years.
But, I got into a new workout routine when I moved to Los Angeles and with that came an entirely new eating philosophy. Like many of us do, I changed what was working for me for the latest diet craze fueled by my fitness community. Rather than listening to my own intuition about food, I followed the fad.
The height of the HIIT workout and the caveman diet had me ditching my fiber-rich leafy greens and cancer fighting antioxidant filled berry and banana based smoothie in favor of sugar-free bacon and cage-free eggs. You see everyone in LA was completely off carbs and sugar even from fruit and certain vegetables.
Need to relieve muscle cramps caused by exercise or a quick fuel source for an endurance workout? Beware of Bananas. They are now the devil and not to be trusted. Have a pre-packaged processed energy bar instead—paleo approved!
My body couldn’t handle the high protein and animal fat first thing in the morning. I felt satisfied, but then heavy and almost nauseous. It was a familiar feeling that I had as a child eating at my grandmother’s house in south Georgia. We always had rich farm based breakfasts of buttery biscuits, salty eggs, and fried ham that left me in a food coma for hours.
What I didn’t understand then that I know now as a health coach who has studied over 100 dietary theories, is that diet trends neglect our own bio-individuality. One person’s food can be another’s poison. So when it comes to food what is good for one or some may not be good for all.
Today I have a completely different relationship with food. I practice intuitive eating which has lead me to understand how my body reacts to the fuel I put in it and make the best choices unique to me.
I’m also back on my go-to green smoothies and am happy to share this simple 5-step recipe to create the perfect smoothie for you every time. Completely customizable, follow the infographic for a choose your own adventure path to green goodness.
Abundantly,
BE.
