I don't love vegetables. I mean, in a perfect world I know I should, but in reality they end up way down the list of priorities. Unless you count cocoa beans. Those are a vegetable, right? And coffee beans?
My hubby, on the other hand, is a health nut. He loves all things protein- and micronutrient-rich, and he starts everyday with a workout or a run, while I'm still asleep. So recently, when I mentioned I might want to get a Vitamix blender so that I could start adding more veggies into my diet, he was completely supportive. Then we did a little research into how much they cost, and his encouragement started to waver a little. In the end, the decision was made for us by a cash-back reward check that came in the mail, and off we went to buy our blender. And about $100 of veggies. Darn you, Costco!
Our blender came with a giant book of recipes, and we immediately got down to business blending everything we could get our hands on. Mango daiquiri or vanilla coconut ice cream, anybody?
But soon, I decided I better buckle down and get some veggies going if I was going to justify this ridiculously expensive appliance. We quickly found that we liked just experimenting and throwing a bunch of healthy stuff in, and seeing what came out. I also found that what the hubby throws in there is super-healthy, but not super-yummy. He thinks the worse it tastes, the healthier it must be. Me, on the other hand, I need a balance. It's got to taste good, or I won't drink it. Then I stumbled upon this combination, and I like it so much, I thought I'd share it with you.
Spring Green Smoothie
Ingredients: (for 1 serving)
- 10-15 green grapes
- ½ green apple, cored and quartered
- 1-2 inches of cucumber
- 1-2 cups spinach
- 1 cup ice cubes
Process:
You can do this in any kind of blender (this is not an endorsement for Vitamix), but you may have to cut the pieces smaller and use crushed ice.
- Wash the grapes and throw them in the blender.
- Core the apple, cut it in half and save one half for later. Cut the half you're using into about 4 pieces. Throw the pieces in the blender on top of the grapes.
- Cut about an inch or two from a washed cucumber (no peeling necessary) and drop into blender.
- Throw in a couple handfuls of spinach.
- Dump the ice on top.
- Blend until completely smooth, occasionally tamping down ingredients if necessary.
- Drink immediately!
This smoothie is refreshing and surprisingly filling! Now that the days are getting warmer, it's perfect for a sunny afternoon, or after a run, if you're like my husband. (Although, if you're really like him, you'd prefer your smoothie with all sorts of odd things like raw eggs, flax seed, celery, etc.)
I count it as a win because it's got no added sugar and two kinds of veggies!
Sandey says
Looks delicious! Thanks!
Meredith says
Thanks Sandey!
jacquiegum says
This spring green smoothie looks delicious! I need to get more green stuff in my diet too:) I am currently using a green elixir in my protein smoothie every day. But fresh green stuff is by far much better:) Good luck with that appliance!
Meredith says
Thanks Jacquie! That's next on my list - protein smoothies!
Jeri Walker (@JeriWB) says
I've yet to give a green smoothie a try, but perhaps this will be the one I finally try. Your pictures make it look absolutely delectable.
Meredith says
Thanks Jeri, I still can't believe I'm drinking green smoothies, much less enjoying them!
SafariOnTheBlog says
Oh my God! It looks delicious.
I tried a green smoothie a while ago and absolutely loved it.
I will print off your recipe. Thanks Meredith x
Meredith says
Thanks! I would never have thought I'd be a green smoothie kind of girl, but I was surprised at how yummy this one was!
andleeb says
I simply love this green smoothie. Rich with all ingredients in green color.
I always experiment a lot with smoothies and apples and grapes are my favorite. I am wondering why I did not ever mix them together.
Few days back I mixed carrot, apple and cucumber with some black pepper and pinch of salt. The taste was amazing.
I will try this for sure.
Thank you for great easy recipe.
Meredith says
Wow, I never would have thought to put salt and pepper in! Maybe I'll try that someday, but the carrot, apple and cucumber sounds great.
lenie5860 says
I love fruits and vegetables and the things you've listed I are among my favourites. Combining them into a smoothie sounds terrific although I may borrow a little from your husband and add some flax and maybe a little bit of yogurt.
Meredith says
Yeah, I think I'm going to add flax seed too, after reading about how healthy it is, and it doesn't have much of a taste. Maybe I'll be a health nut after all! 🙂
Marquita Herald (@marquitaherald) says
Okay I know I'm going to sound weird here, but I have a thing about drinking anything green. I can't tell you why because I love vegetables - my dad was a produce manager for Safeway for over 40 years and my mother was a vegetarian - I was raised eating every kind of veggie imaginable. What it is about a green drink that - well turns me green - I have no idea. But I'm sure this is absolutely wonderful Meredith! 🙂
Meredith says
We don't want you turning green Marquita! Especially if you're good about eating your veggies, then there's no need to drink them. 🙂
Ken Dowell says
I guess I should try this Meredith because I have pretty much the same attitude as you do toward vegetables. I love fresh locally grown corn and tomatoes, but my wife seems to think that if they aren't green they don't count. So every night with dinner I east a small portion of something like broccoli or chard and to be honest it could just as well be cardboards from my perspective. We do have a recently purchased Vitamix but the only time I've used is to make bread crumbs out of stale bread.
Meredith says
Put that vitamix to good use! Then you won't have to choke down cardboard-tasting veggies that you don't like, if you can convince your wife that you've already fulfilled your obligations for the day.
Andy says
So, are you willing to tell us how much you ponied up for your "ridiculously expensive appliance"? Or are you going to 'take the Fifth' on that?
Anyway, I'm sure that your smoothie is a much more interesting and flavorful drink than a green tea Frappuccino is, although I myself would go with the vanilla coconut ice cream idea.
Meredith says
Nope, I'm pleading the fifth! (Although it wouldn't be hard to find out by searching Costco online.) Mmmm frappuccinos. I hadn't even started thinking about those! Maybe a copycat recipe will be my next experiment...
Jason @ TheButlerJournal.com says
I make smoothies a couple times each week for breakfast. I usually use juice or green tea as a base. I need to try this suggestion.
Meredith says
I like the idea of green tea. I bet that would make a really good refreshing smoothie!
Erica says
Ok, while I know that you don't really "know me", I think you know enough about me to predict that I would be super excited about this post. I love the combination, and hey, it's green so it even looks healthy! That should add some points for your husband. I don't have a Vitamix, but I'm always envious once I read all that you can do with them.
I took the same attitude as you when I bought my super exorbitant Dyson protable heater. It was $100 off so that in my mind somehow justified the few hundred I did spend. But I must say I spend a few minutes almost everyday being thankful that I have it.
Meredith says
Yay! I'm glad you liked it! And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who's an expert at justifying high-priced appliances. 🙂
travelanimaldr says
This looks like the perfect smoothie as we head into the summer. I can't wait to try this combination.
Meredith says
It's very refreshing! Thanks for stopping by!
Kat says
thanks so much for breaking it down to one serving!! 🙂
Meredith says
You're welcome! I usually make them just for me, since they're too "healthy" for my kids to want them, and not healthy enough for my hubby!