Has spring sprung where you live yet? I’m in a semi-permanent, open-arm twirling state thanks to 70 degree temperatures, smelling suntan lotion in the air at the grocery store the other day (pack me in your suitcase, spring breakers?) and welcoming early morning bird songs back to our tree-filled backyard.
I feel like I’ve been trying to hide the fact that I’m a morning person my entire adult life because smiles are generally frowned upon in our “don’t talk to me before my first pot of coffee!” culture. But, I’M A MORNING PERSON (whee!) and nothing puts me in a better mood these days than ripping open the back door at 6am, smelling the fresh spring air (forget Mary, there’s something about Midwestern spring air – and I’m not talking about high pollen counts,) and listening to the birds chirp like the 80 year old person I am inside. I even have this print hanging in our dining room (which is the only thing in the room…how long have we been living here?) to remind me that even on the darkest of mornings during the season that shall not be named, the birds will eventually come back.
What am I talking about again?
Oh right, spring is here! Even if we get another snow storm, it’ll melt within days, and I’m officially looking forward to eating lots of light and healthy meals over the next 6+ months. I was looking at the “popular recipes” grid on the sidebar of IGE the other day and every single one was a different shade of…brown. Delicious, but I’m craving more. More freshness, more feel-good, more COLOR, like my Best-Ever Green Smoothie!
You’ve probably seen 1,001 green smoothie recipes on the interwebs, and I have a couple here on IGE, but I’ve officially found the most delicious one yet. I can’t take credit though because the combination comes from a new-to-me smoothie joint that Ben, Lincoln, and I visited last weekend. We trekked inside, glanced at the menu, and it was all I could do to prevent a Ben-shaped hole from appearing in the doorway because the smoothies were EIGHT DOLLARS a piece. I could buy, like, eight semi-useful things from the Target $1 bin for that kind of cash!
Needless to say we got one smoothie to split between the three of us, but it ended up tasting so unbelievably delicious that I accidentally drank more than my share and made Lincoln cry because he loved it so much. Can you say Mother of the Year?
I got back in my baby’s good graces the following day when we recreated the smoothie at home for a fraction of the cost, and it ended up being a dead ringer for the $8 one. I mean, we nailed it!
Just four ingredients – kale, baby spinach, frozen mango, and apple juice – are blended until brilliantly green, and silky smooth. If you are a green smoothie skeptic, promise me you’ll try this combo. Lincoln sucked. it. DOWN. and has had one every single day since Saturday. I mean, a salad in a glass that tastes like a tropical drink? Heck yes!
Normally I would never put juice in a smoothie – I prefer to eat my calories vs drink them (except when they’re in fermented grape form, of course) – but for me the pros outweigh the cons in this case. Loads of healthy, dark leafy greens more than make up for using 100% apple juice as the blending liquid, plus the taste is just so gosh darn good. That said, if you want to cut down on sugar you could try using coconut water in place of some of the juice. I tried water and it tasted a little bland.
We’ve been drinking Best-Ever Green Smoothies in the morning or after nap time for a boost of healthy greens, but it’d also make a great pre-workout drink. Pair it with a couple scrambled eggs or piece of peanut butter toast for a well-rounded breakfast, or even replace your nightly fermented grape juice with this smoothie instead. Who am I to tell you when and how to drink it though – just go for it!
Oh! This green smoothie makes great smoothie packs. Stuff the kale, baby spinach, and mango into ziplock baggies then freeze. When you’re ready to drink, pour the contents into a blender, add the liquid, and then blend!
Start with 1 cup packed chopped curly kale. I am counting down the days until our farmer’s market opens so I can use mountains of local kale in here! If you are thinking about starting a vegetable garden this year, consider planting kale. It’s super easy to take care of and grows well into the fall.
Add the kale plus 1 cup packed baby spinach into a blender with 1 cup frozen mango chunks. I have a Blendtec (<< affiliate link) and absolutely love it. Kale can be a bit tough, but it’s blended to smithereens in this high-powered blender.
Finally add 1 cup no sugar added 100% apple juice.
Pop the lid on top then blend until silky smooth. NO color editing here – the smoothie really is this bright green, but doesn’t taste like it!
Pour the smoothie into glasses then add a straw. The recipe makes 16oz so you could split with a partner, or keep the whole thing for yourself!
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Best-Ever Green Smoothie (For the Green Smoothie Skeptics!)
Description
4-ingredient Best-Ever Green Smoothie is gluten, dairy, and banana-free, and is the best-tasting green smoothie EVER! If you don't want to eat your dark leafy greens - drink them instead!
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed chopped curly kale
- 1 cup packed baby spinach
- 1 cup frozen chopped mango
- 1 cup no sugar added 100% apple juice
Directions
- Combine ingredients in a blender in the order listed then blend until very smooth and serve.
Notes
- This smoothie makes great smoothie packs! Combine kale, spinach, and mango in baggies then freeze. When ready to drink, dump contents of one baggie into a blender, add juice, and then blend until smooth.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Bright, fresh, healthy, and 100% delicious. Just what I need to head into the spring season. Enjoy!
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I love the simple ingredients and the color is stunning!
Yum!! I have a green smoothie almost every morning! Mango is my favorite fruit in a green smoothie!
Oh my gosh so this post reminded me that your Green Monster smoothie was the first blog post I EVER read. I was in graduate school at the time and my friend and I pioneered green smoothies every day for two months, the whole dietetics program was on board! So in December of 2013 you had at least 20 people making that smoothie daily! Thanks for a new one to be obsessed with!
That is amazing!! :D
Thats so pretty! Love only 4 ingedients!
Oh and my gosh! Look at that cute little sucker upper!!!! ;-)
Fellow morning person in the house, er internet/blog :) You lost me at the mango. Do you have a suggestion for mango?
You could try frozen pineapple instead. They are sold right next to each other in the freezer section if you feel like giving mango a try (assuming there’s no allergy or anything!)
I love this smoothie so much, simple and clean. My daughter is allergic to mango, so I made it for her with frozen pineapple and it is delicious as well!
I am also a fellow morning person and not a mango lover. Would pineapple work?
This looks so good. The color is amazing! So GREEN for spring.
Yes! Finally a smoothie with NO bananas! Can’t wait to try this – thank you :)
I keep telling myself that I’m going to start drinking smoothies, but that has yet to happen… Maybe I’ll start with this simple recipe. Thanks!
I looove mango in my green smoothies! Berries are always good too.
I was just looking for an easy green smoothie recipe, and made it this morning! I used water instead of juice, and I added some Stur water enhancer for a little flavor here’s the link if you’re interested – http://www.amazon.com/Stur-ALL-NATURAL-sugar-free-calorie-free-preservative-free/dp/B00C1LXBFC/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1457540470&sr=8-1&keywords=stur. The smoothie was delicious – thank you!
I am an anti-smoothie person because I don’t like the textures they sometimes have. I would be willing to try this if there is no textures and it really is smooth. Can you tell me if I can get this smoothie smooth with no added things left unblended? (if you know what I mean)
If you have a high-powered blender like a Blendtec, Vitamix, or even a ninja, your smoothies will be completely smooth!
Throw in half an avocado to make it super smooth!
I can’t wait to try this. I’m going to get the ingredients this weekend.
Looking forward to more healthy recipes!
This looks fantastic! Putting the ingredients on the grocery list. I’m so not a morning person and am really envious of those who are.
Yum! We’ve been on a big green smoothie kick here thanks to a book my husband got me for Christmas. Most days it’s the only way I can guarantee my little nugget gets any vegetables (#toddlerproblems). We’ll have to try this one!
Totally feel you. I wasn’t kidding when I said this is so good Lincoln cried when he didn’t get as much as he wanted the first time we had it!
Oh my gracious! Thank you for linking to that Etsy print. I had her calendar a couple of years ago and have been wishing for prints of some of the designs ever since. And the smoothie looks amazing!
I’ve been having something close to this most mornings for the past month. I use water instead of apple juice and fresh ginger root. The ginger gives it a bit of snappy bite, which I love!
Ohhh I love the idea of adding ginger! I’m going to experiment with adding fresh lemon juice, too!
Thank you so much for making a smoothie with no bananas!! I’m allergic to them so I’m always looking for good smoothie recipes and I am definately picking up mangos for this one next time I’m at the store!! I’ve been putting beets in my smoothies for extra veggie power and they are a neon pink – its beautiful! I love pretty food.
From Iowa girl to another – Thank you!
Emily B.
Love the beet idea – I usually juice them, but should try adding them into my smoothies!
This recipe is perfect, I love the simplicity of it! I find these days people are trying to pack too many thing into smoothies and the flavour becomes a mish mash! I love mango and can’t wait to make this for breakfast!
That adorable little face sucking down his smoothie is INTENSE! I love it, lol!
I’m pregnant so what I can eat in the morning is kind of hit-or-miss, but this smoothie is amazing! Easy, tasty, doesn’t smell like bananas (turns me off lately), and by 8am I’ve already given my little baby bump a good dose of fruits and veggies. Thank you for this!
Hi, I just wanted to start off by saying you are FREAKING AWESOME. I’ve always wished you were my best friend :D
I wanted to know if you could make this with like half an apple and coconut water and if it would still taste similar?
Wohoo, thanks! ;) I tried this and it tasted good though you could taste the coconut water, which is definitely not a bad thing if you like the taste. Go for it!
I also like to add a tablespoon of organic almond butter.
You can see the pure enjoyment on Lincoln’s little face. Looks delicious.
Made this for breakfast today and it was amazing! I tend to find my ‘green’ smoothies are usually brown — this was not the case. Your pictures did it justice! And the mango added just the right amount of sweetness! Thank you for sharing :)
This is so good! I even got my teenage daughters to drink it. I do need to get a kick a$$ blender though, but still good!
Green’s on top! And it wins! Looks sooo good! :)
[…] the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, I’m grabbing the ingredients for this…and freezing the extras in ice cube trays so I can whip one up at a later date. Oh, and […]
Have never liked green smoothies until THIS ONE!!! I drink it everyday after my run and it’s so good! All I can taste is the apple juice. I’m not a huge fan of mango so I sub in peaches instead and it’s outstanding! Thank you for the recipe!
I had to report back! My family loved this smoothie! It gave my 15.5 month old son incentive to figure out how to use a straw (which he did). But then he decided he just wanted to drink straight from the cup. What can ya do?
That is amazing! Learning how to use a straw AND getting his greens – two birds, one stone!
Made this smoothie recipe today for my kids for St. Patrick’s Day (because what better day to convince them to drink something green). They slurped them right up, and my ultra picky son gave them a thumbs up, which is a huge compliment from him. These kids hate most veggies, especially anything that looks like a salad. If anyone is skeptical about how this smoothie might taste, trust me you will not know there is spinach and kale in it.
[…] me. I mean it’s only four ingredients and one of them is apple juice. How hard can it be? And Kristin’s recipes are some of the best I’ve tried. I’ve been following her since before she had a […]
You’re right, this absolutely delicious. Thanks for the great recipes.
I was super skeptical about this! Even after making it I was afraid to take a sip but oh my gosh! I do not taste anything but mango and apple! Delicious!!
I’ve made countless recipes from your blog, but this one made me feel like Super Mom! I think my three year old just had more greens from one smoothie than his whole life combined. Thank you so much!
Wohoo!! Just what I love to hear!
I have a banana allergy so thank you for posting a simple smoothie recipe!
Is it possible to blend this up at night and have it still taste good in the morning? I have to get up much, much earlier than the rest of the house and 5:30am blender use would be frowned upon.
You bet! The smoothie might lose a bit of its brightness, but the taste will still be delicious.
SOOO good :) ! Thanks xxxx
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Kinda ruined it with that apple juice. That should be natural as well.
[…] Iowa Girl Eats – Best Ever Green Smoothie […]
I HATE bananas and yogurt so smoothies are generally a no-go for me. Thank you for this!
[…] Best Ever Green Smoothie | Iowa Girl Eats […]
Yep! Very good!! :D I used organic apple juice (the Whole Foods by me is moving so the Uncle Matt’s juice they had left was not sugar-free, bummer).. but, wow! I loved it! Love that there are 2 whole cups of greens.. but the mangos are sooo good, you can’t taste the greens. I can see why kids would like it! Good one, thank you! It’s a keeper!