Tropical Kale Smoothie

Green smoothies are trendy enough to be cliche. I know. But this Tropical Kale Smoothie is packed with bright, vibrant flavors that bring me back to Hawaii every single time.

For one and a half glorious years my husband and I lived, worked and played on Oahu, Hawaii. Sunshine almost everyday, sand permanently burrowed into every carpet, every car seat and every beach bag. The average temperature is roughly 85 degrees in Hawaii. When it dipped below 76 degrees, my co-workers wore beanies to work.

Why do I torture myself (and you), with memories of white sand beaches and turquoise water?

Because this smoothie reminds me of Oahu every time I make it!

It wasn’t hard to get used to the climate in Hawaii (or those beaches and turquoise waves). A big part of that acclimatization revolved around what we ate when we lived there – fruit, coconut water, raw fish, more fruit…

And probably this ah-mazing green smoothie packed with fresh, bright ingredients.

Eating Tips for Healthy Weight Loss <<

Green Smoothie Tips to Get Started

Smoothies are a great way to start the day. The pack a nutritional punch, they’re easy to make (and clean up), and you can drink them on the go! But a good green smoothie requires a little love.

Kale Right

I like to use kale in my green smoothies. The flavor blends right in and I know I’m loading up on a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. That said, not all kale is made equally, especially when it comes to blending. Green curly kale tends to be a bit less fibrous and therefore more tender – great for smoothies. Lacinato kale can be subbed in but it can sometimes be too tough (it’s also known as Dinosaur kale!). If you can’t find curly kale, feel free to substitute spinach.

This recipe calls for a cup of kale – and that’s leaves only! Don’t use the ribs/stems! They are way too tough to blend and honestly, you’re not leaving out any nutrients by putting those aside.

Meal Prep Smoothies

Smoothies are a great grab and go option in the morning – and I know that’s important. Preparing make-ahead smoothie packs will speed up your morning routine and help with clean up too.

To prep: grab ziplock bags and pack your freezable (or already frozen) ingredients. Bananas, mango, pineapple, coconut and even kale and protein powder freeze just fine! When you’re ready in the morning, grab a prepared baggie, toss it in the blender (skip the ice since everything will be so cold), add liquid and go!

Order Matters

Turns out that the order in which your ingredients go into the blender matter – that is if texture is a concern. I’ve listed ingredients in the order they should be added. If you have a bit of extra time, try blending your liquid and greens first, then add your fruit, and then your protein powder at the very end.

Extras

Finally, make this recipe your own by adding extra ingredients for flavor and nutritional status. Ingredients to consider:

• chia seeds
• flax seed
• hemp seed
• dates for sweetness
• nut butter
• fresh mint
• avocado

 

If you’re into sipping something sweet and refreshing, or you simply want to close your eyes and pretend that you are on a beach in Hawaii, this Tropical Green Smoothie satisfies. It’s the perfect way to start your morning – healthy, light and delicious and the perfect mid-day refresher too!

This recipe is perfect for 1 large mason jar (no sharing, sorry not sorry), but doubles well if you have a big enough blender.

Pairs well with:

• Flourless Banana Pancakes