In my last post I complained about having too many sweets and desserts in my house (what a terrible situation, really). We recently got an amazing new blender so I’ve been balancing my sweet overload by shoving vegetables into it and masking their flavor with fruit. It’s a win, win – good flavor, lots of nutrients.

It’s become my new morning ritual to toss yogurt, spinach, fresh and frozen fruit into the blender and go whirrrr until you can no longer tell there’s spinach in it. I mean, except for that astonishing green color. But, if you weren’t looking at this (maybe try an opaque glass for your kids), you really couldn’t tell. Fresh pineapple flavor comes out on top, successfully camoflaging the “healthy” flavor. Besides the nutrients in fresh fruits and vegetables, another bonus is that this actually keeps me full all morning – something I’ve struggled with when I eat cereal. Avoiding a grumbling stomach in the middle of class is another reason to down a suspiciously green beverage.

Also, don’t skimp on the spinach. Here’s my colander full of one smoothie serving, and you can see how disturbing the proportion looks in the blender. Don’t worry – it will liquify and you won’t even know it’s there. If you can tell, just add a little more fruit or a drizzle of honey.

I’ve been making these green smoothies with lots of spinach mostly, but I also tried avocado and kale and liked those too. What other veggies have you tried in smoothies?

Recipe:

Tropical Green Smoothie

Makes 1 big or 2 small smoothies

1 C plain yogurt
1 C frozen or fresh pineapple chunks (I recommend fresh)*
1/2 C frozen or fresh mango chunks*
2-3 big handfuls of fresh spinach
1 T chia seeds (optional)

Place all ingredients in blender and blend on high until everything is pureed.

*If using all fresh fruit, you may want to add some ice

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38 Comments on Tropical Green Smoothie

Andrea
April 22, 2011 at 12:40 pm (14 years ago)

Wow! I love your pictures – they make green smoothies look so beautiful.
I’m on a raw diet, and I’ve been trying to get my courage up to make a green smoothie (other than just fruit smoothies)…and yours looks so good I might just try it!
Reply
- Stephanie
  April 22, 2011 at 6:53 pm (14 years ago)
  
  @Andrea – thanks! Give it a try. You can always add more fruit to make it taste even more like a fruit smoothie. You won’t even know you’re eating veggies.
Magic of Spice
April 22, 2011 at 12:54 pm (14 years ago)

Love It! Just really love it, so healthy and refreshing…yes no skimping on the spinach, I promise 🙂
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Christine @ Nourish the Budding Lotus
April 22, 2011 at 2:58 pm (14 years ago)

Yum! I have been loving the green smoothies too, and haven’t tried pineapple yet. This looks delicious!
Christine @ Nourish the Budding Lotus recently posted Homemade Vegan Nutella
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Lindsey@lindselicious
April 22, 2011 at 4:30 pm (14 years ago)

I love green smoothies! I was so afraid to try one, I think it took me 3 weeks to gain the courage and now I’m hooked. I’ve never done it with tropical fruits, picking those up at Trader Joes next time!
Lindsey@lindselicious recently posted Pumpkin Coconut Crunch Granola
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Hayley
April 22, 2011 at 5:15 pm (14 years ago)

I just recently got a Vitamix too and I have been making smoothies galore- carrots are another great addition!
Reply
- Stephanie
  April 22, 2011 at 6:52 pm (14 years ago)
  
  @Hayley – Carrots are a great idea! Thanks from me and my rabbit (who will be thrilled to eat my carrot scraps)
Yocelyn
April 22, 2011 at 5:17 pm (14 years ago)

I love green monsters. I tens to cut my fresh fruit then freeze it. I like the consistency it gives the smoothie with out having to add ice. Sometimes I omit the yogurt for almond milk. Makes it sweeter and is really good with blueberries or strawberries
Reply
- Stephanie
  April 22, 2011 at 6:49 pm (14 years ago)
  
  Yocelyn – freezing fresh fruit is a great idea! I’m going to stock up on pineapples next time they’re on sale and do that. And all the great summer berries when they’re in season!
Sandra
April 22, 2011 at 5:20 pm (14 years ago)

I’m a green smoothie fan also. My family thinks I’m a bit cuckoo but that’s OK. I like to throw in broccoli sometimes and even sweet potatoes.
Sandra recently posted Citrus Chiffon Cake
Reply
- Stephanie
  April 22, 2011 at 6:50 pm (14 years ago)
  
  @Sandra – I’ve been curious about broccoli but haven’t tried it yet. It’s on sale this week so I think I’ll give it a shot. Sweet potatoes are also a great idea – thanks!
Ang
April 23, 2011 at 7:57 am (14 years ago)

I have a green smoothie nearly everyday, but I do like the sound of your variation. It just feels good knowing that all that goodness is going in your body.
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Tiffany
April 24, 2011 at 3:16 pm (14 years ago)

I love everything about this smoothie!
Tiffany recently posted A Rustic Savory Crostata
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Hester Casey - Alchemy
April 25, 2011 at 12:31 pm (14 years ago)

Some days I just can’t face breakfast but this would really appeal – healthy, tasty and light – and made in minutes. What’s not to love!
Hester Casey – Alchemy recently posted Chocolate Truffle Frosting – it’s a meltdown!
Reply
- Stephanie
  April 25, 2011 at 8:24 pm (14 years ago)
  
  @Hester – Yes, I’ve found it to be a great, easy breakfast. I’ve had one everyday for the last couple of weeks.
laura
April 25, 2011 at 12:35 pm (14 years ago)

interesting… here’s my version ( http://cookmarked.com/recipe.aspx?eID=kHGwP6ADYslIwuhVxc9Zj4A2yEpUG9r7p7cjqGkW158e ) i have it almost every day! i like that you toss in spinach. i usually add spirullina for the greens.
Reply
- Stephanie
  April 25, 2011 at 8:23 pm (14 years ago)
  
  @Laura – that looks great! I love the addition of coconut water. I know it’s good for you but I don’t really like the taste of it. Adding into a smoothie would be a great way to try it.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
April 25, 2011 at 7:01 pm (14 years ago)

Ooh! I love green smoothies and yours looks fabulous! I have seen it featured everywhere too! Great pic! ♥
Katrina @ In Katrina’s Kitchen recently posted Marshmallow Cupcakes Marshmallow Frosting
Reply
- Stephanie
  April 25, 2011 at 8:24 pm (14 years ago)
  
  @Katrina – thanks!
Noya - gluttonandstudent
April 27, 2011 at 3:25 pm (14 years ago)

I love putting spinach in smoothies – it’s virtually tasteless but I always FEEL healthy while I’m drinking them. Plus, I just love the color.
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melissa cardenas
August 9, 2011 at 9:00 pm (13 years ago)

interesting, don’t think I’ll make it again though. thanks for the recipe though! Always good to try new things!
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Shelly
August 29, 2011 at 8:39 pm (13 years ago)

I’ve just started making these too! I add one banana, a cup or so of either frozen strawberries or a raspberry/blueberry.marion berry mix from Costco and two big handfulls of fresh spinach and 2 tbs. ground flax seed! Keeps me full all morning!!
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Rana
July 8, 2012 at 9:37 am (12 years ago)

This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try- thanks for sharing!!
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Unnati
August 14, 2012 at 4:36 am (12 years ago)

Hey loved your post, I want to start on vege smoothie too in the mornings!! Which blender do I have??
Reply
- Stephanie
  August 15, 2012 at 8:49 am (12 years ago)
  
  @Unnati – I have a Vitamix, which are very expensive but the best blender out there! I used to have a KitchenAid, which also got the job done, but wasn’t quite as good.
Suzanne Holt
April 21, 2013 at 2:38 pm (12 years ago)

I’m just wondering if the chia seeds really thicken up the smoothie? Have you ever used ground chia? I think I’ll try this for breakfast tomorrow!
Suzanne Holt recently posted May Norwex Hostess Specials
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groene smoothies
August 24, 2013 at 11:37 am (11 years ago)

Thank you for your recipe.

I really loved the pineapple flavor.
groene smoothies recently posted Maaltijdvervanger – Groene Smoothie Recept
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Jamie Kong
May 12, 2014 at 1:28 pm (11 years ago)

Hi,
I just stumbled onto you’re blog and I’m happy that i did. I too am a native Sacramentan (sp?)! Yeah for supporting the locals!
Thanks!
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