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Top 10 Green Smoothie Practices
I subscribe to Victoria Boutenko’s Green Smoothie blog. Last night she posted her Guidelines for Green Smoothie Consumption. It inspired me to make this video for you – here are the highlights, there’s more info in the video. The first 9 guidelines come from Victoria and the 10th is from me:
- Drink your green smoothie first thing in the morning
- Sip slowly, mixing your green smoothie with your saliva
- Don’t add anything to your green smoothies except greens, fruit and water
- Drink your green smoothie alone, not as part of a meal
- Do not add starchy vegetables to your green smoothies, such as carrots, beets, broccoli, etc.
- Don’t add too many ingredients to your smoothie, keep it simple
- Make your smoothies super delicious
- Rotate your greens, the goal being 7 different greens in 7 days
- Choose organic whenever possible
- Do something, start somewhere
Please weigh in and leave your comments below. SHARE and LIKE this video to help spread the green smoothie goodness with family and friends. Have a great, greening day!
43 Responses to Top 10 Green Smoothie Practices
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Dear Jane,
After reading the guidelines above, are you going to only during water based smoothies?
Tammy
Correction, “drink” water based smoothies.
Hi Tammy,
Not “only.” It is a best practice to shoot for, but on any given day, I do what I can with what I have on hand, which keeps it stress free and fun for me.
HI,
I just watched your green smoothie guidelines. I had been adding chia, raw maca root, ground flaxseed, bee pollen, goji berries and occassionally vegan protein powder to my green smoothie( water, spinach, kale, green collards, banana, and berries of some kind). After watching, I thought maybe this may be too much according to the guidelines, is it? I enjoy the taste of all of it, and with the added powders, it can sustain my hunger until 1 or 2 pm. But if I am not getting all the benefits because I am putting them all together at one time I would like to know, so I am not wasting time or money. Thanks so much!
Lori
Hi Lori,
I’m not a doctor, so what follows is my opinion, not medical advice. The rule of thumb is that by adding fats or other ingredients to green smoothies it can inhibit absorption of the nutrients in the greens and for some people, cause digestive distress.
Your green smoothie combo works for you, tastes great and sustains you, which is what everyone strives for. Sounds like you can continue on and you could also alternate them with simpler green smoothies, remembering to rotate your greens.
As to time and money, I have found over the years that keeping it simple keeps me in the green smoothie game long term, but I also ride out my ‘green smoothie trends’ and don’t worry about it.
You’re getting and enjoying your greens, which is an accomplishment.
I was told that adding fat into your smoothie helps with absorption. Personally I add a serving of coconut oil into mine. Is this not wise?
Hi James,
I’m told things, too, and it takes personal experience for me to sort fact from fiction and find out what works for me, which may be different than what works for you. I am not a nutritionist or a doctor, but it is my experience that folks add oils and fats to their smoothies for a variety of reasons: taste, so the smoothie will feel more filling and they won’t get hungry as soon, to increase calories, for skin issues, etc. Nothing unwise about that.
Do fats in green smoothies inhibit absorption of the nutrients in the greens? I don’t know if they inhibit the absorption, but fat slows down the absorption, as fats take longer to digest than blended greens, but in my opinion, it’s better to make a green smoothie with coconut oil than not make one at all.
Over the years, I’ve tried oils in my green smoothies but now, when I add fat to a green smoothie, it’s in the form of a fruit fat like avocado. Try 1/4 of a ripe avocado in your green smoothie, you might like it and you’ll get the fat without slowing down absorption of nutrients.
Thanks for the speedy response! I’ll try the avocado.
I just watched your 50th video giveaway Chocalate chake recipe,and can’t wait to try it. You are so much fun to watch ! AND, I share the excitement about using healthy foods with the VitaMix to provide fun nourishment, something new everyday ! Blessings to you and your enthusiastic show !
Hi Karen,
Thank you for your kind words and support. I appreciate it and welcome you.
I hope you get as much fun and wellbeing from your VitaMix as I get from mine.
Jane
Thank you for the inspiration! I wanted to use up some leftovers but keep it simple and rotate my greens, as you suggested. I used some parsley and fennell stems along with a small handful of cilantro, 1/2-1 cup grapes, and 2 cups of water in the VitaMix. Delicious!
Perfecto!
You’re welcome!
I just stumbled across your fabulous site and videos today. I already own a much under-utilized Vitamix….but no more. Your recipes are wonderful. I have looked at so many that I don’t know what to try first. I will definitely order the nut bags as a start. I have toyed in and out with healthy eating, but feel that I must forge full out now. Thank you so much for the information you share.
Hi Betty,
Welcome to Blend It and Mend It!
It’s great to have you here.
Start anywhere. You already have the VitaMix so all you have to do is blend
I hope you get as much fun and wellbeing from your VitaMix as I get from mine.
Keep me posted on your greening.
I enjoyed this video and found several good tips for consideration. Good food for thought! Thank you!!
Hi Chris,
You’re welcome!
Awesome! Can’t wait to try it and see what my kids will think. Great video! You are one neat lady, Jane!
Thank you! Let me know what the kids think.
Hi Jane,
I got a Vitamix for my birthday with Airmiles last month. I originally wanted it to grind almonds for almond meal. I actually need the dry blade. It still worked. Anyways, I am in the middle of doing a 3day juice fast. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my Vitamix. There’s nothing left but pulp in my nut milk bag. No chunks! My other blender would have left chucks. Your green smoothie recipes and practices are fantastic. And I especially likes the wheatgrass juice video. Thank you,Jane! You are inspiring!
Hi Stacey,
Thank you for your kind words and support. I appreciate it. Congrats on your VitaMix. It sounds like you’ll be getting as much fun and wellbeing from yours as I get from mine.
Will you report back on how your 3 days on juice went? I’m interested and I know others are, too.
Jane,
A newbie to the Vitamix world & so far getting the hang of it (sort of HA). I have 2 smoothies now in the AM. One I mix w/berries & my Raw Meal meal replacement & just started my first greens today. A large handful of baby spinach, 1 carrot & handful of red seedless grapes with about 1/2 cup to 1 cup of water & a few ice cubes. The carrot has over powered the flavor but still surprisingly delish! I have to wait to drink it when I get to work as I dn’t really have time to do all before I leave. Thanks for your sight & keep up the great work. Love it!
Hi Michelle,
You’re welcome! Thanks for writing as your comments can inspire others.
It sounds like you will be getting as much fun and wellbeing from your VitaMix as I get from mine.
Happy greening:)
Hi Jane.
I’m fairly new to the green smoothie but I’ve been contemplating going raw for a few months now and about a month ago I went ahead and bought a Vitamix and dove in. While I feel I can improve my health and drop a few pounds, by no means do I have unhealthy eating habits. I eat lots of veggies, very little processed foods and try to eat fish one a week. After a couple of weeks of having green smoothies I’ve been experiencing nausea and mild headaches following the consumption of them. Is this normal?
Hi Tika,
I’m not a doctor, so what follows is my opinion from personal experience, not medical advice or treatment. Yes, I experienced this and I have read of others experiencing it. It may be detox symptoms.
What I did was reduce or eliminate my green smoothie quantities for a few days or a week. Also, make sure you are rotating your greens. Don’t get stuck in a rut using the same 2 or 3 over and over.
Are your green smoothies too complex with too many ingredients? Keep them simple with just fruit, greens and water so as not to cause digestion issues. Perhaps your quantities of green smoothie at one sitting are too great? Better to get a small quantity of fresh greens per day than none at all. We are all different, so listen to your body and pace yourself. Sip slowly.
I’m like you, I go all in and then sometimes have to take a breather and readjust my settings.
I have a vitamix, but can’t seem to stick with drinking smoothie. I’d like to, but I don’t seem to. Any suggestions?
Hi Yvonne,
My suggestion is to try my Beauty Waters for now and then come back to green smoothies at a later date. There’s no point in forcing yourself to drink green smoothies when there are other ways to get your greens, including green ice creams (download my free 3 Green Ice Cream Recipes in the top right corner of the page). Here’s a simple Beauty Water for you to try and there are more in the Beauty Water category under recipes in the menu bar:
http://blenditandmendit.com/pineapple-cilantro-beauty-water/
Green smoothies aren’t going anywhere and they will be here when you are ready. In the meantime, enjoy the videos without putting pressure on yourself.
Hi Jane! I do not have a Vitamix… I have a personal blender, a larger one and a breville juicer. Can I still make the smoothies and other recipes using those? I already juice a lot and make smoothies with spinach, but those smoothies have bananas, oats, cinnamon, raw nuts and milk.. so not keeping it very simple. =)
Hi Stephanie,
Yes, you can use a regular blender. You may have to reduce quantities or add more liquid and it may not be as smooth as you like, but that’s okay, use what you have.
Thank you!
I just purchase Vitamix a week ago and love it. Been drinking green smoothies in the morning before work. After watching the Green smoothie practices I now want to rotate my greens. My question is: Can I freeze my greens so they can keep longer?
Hi Sue,
Fresh is best, but frozen is better than nothing. Yes, you can freeze them for smoothies later. I don’t like frozen greens in my smoothies, but some do, so try it and see what you think.
What I do with extra greens is use them in salads, sautes, baked and steamed dishes, salads, soups, “ice creams”, etc.
Hi Jane….first of all,I love your site…great ideas…thanks! Just to add my 2 cents. I love making a green smoothie…but because I get up so early for work and would walk my husband, I make up large batches and put just enough into freezer baggies for my travel cup. Take the frozen green smoothie and let it defrost int the frig overnight. It is defrosted by the next morning and as an added extra zip I add a bit of sparkling water to it….it is like drinking spring.
Hi Kim,
Thank you for your kind words and support. I appreciate it. I like drinking spring, too, and your tips are excellent for busy people and early risers and for staying organized. I’m going to try it.
Hi Jane,
It has been a absolute pleasure reading and watching your videos. Thank you for bringing this. A quick question. My belief and was given to understand that the nutrients in juice/smoothie will be lost if not consumed within 5 minutes. If that is accurate then how do we spend most of the morning sipping. I am confused. Please clarify.
Regards,
Krishna
Hi Krishna,
You are correct, consuming juices and green smoothies immediately upon making them is best, but not always possible for many folks for many reasons.
Fresh is best for juices as they do oxidize within minutes, although certain storage methods keep raw juices fresher, longer.
Green smoothies are different because they retain their fiber and do not oxidize at the same rate as juices. I have stored green smoothies for 48 hours with no visible oxidation and they taste and are still fresh. That is the reason you can consume them throughout the morning.
Many people cannot consume their green smoothies immediately upon making them due to their schedules and morning commitments. Consuming your green smoothie throughout the morning also helps to ward off cravings and keep the work of digestion light throughout the morning, which is a productive time for many people.
Do what is right for you. If you can make and consume green smoothies and juices immediately, then go for it, you’l be getting the best of the best. If not, know that your green smoothie, kept cold, will remain fresh for you throughout the morning. NOTE: green smoothies with banana may turn brown after an hour because bananas oxidize regardless.
love all your wonderful ideas. Why shouldn’t we blend broccoli and other veggies with fruit?
Hi Karen,
Technically, it’s because vegetables are a starch (leafy greens aren’t) and when mixed with fruit requires the stomach to release competing digestive juices to handle it.
This can cause digestive distress in some but not in others.
That’s why I err on the conservative side and keep green smoothies simple: fruit, leafy greens and water (there are always exceptions and I’ve made plenty of them).
I just bought a Vitamix and am so intimidated by it that I didn’t start to use it yet….I will this week, promise! That being said, I just need simple breakfast smoothie recipes to start with…I have high blood pressure (from stress probably)and thyroid issues (Hashimotos Disease) which I didn’t even know about…I don’t really have any side effects so I didn’t even know that I had it…Can’t figure that one out!….Are there any books you could recommend for healthy smoothies when you have different medical issues?…I also want to avoid “sugar” if possible…I would also love to make soups and natural ice creams…I await your answers…
P.S. Are you on cablevision?
Hi Gayle,
Congratulations on your VitaMix, it is the best investment I have made in my health. Start with simple blends of one or two ingredients, so you don’t get overwhelmed.
I’m not able to recommend anything for medical conditions, as I am not a doctor.
I have many recipes for simple soups and natural ice creams, here are the links to those two categories:
http://blenditandmendit.com/category/soups/
http://blenditandmendit.com/category/ice-creams/
I’m not on cablevision, but if you would like to see me there, ask your cable company to carry me.
Since you have medical conditions, check with your health practitioner/doctor to be certain my blends are safe for you.
Many thanks,
Jane
Hi Cousin~ How are you? You look amazing!!! Just got my vitamix and I am in love with it! I wanted to make cashew butter so went on line and there you are:) I love watching you I got some great ideas…thank you! Love you, love to the family!! Stay safe and well…God Bless You! xoxoxo
Hi
I really like your recipie do u have a book for the recipie please let me know
Thankyou
Hi Saba,
Thank you for your kind words and support. I don’t yet have a book of all my recipes.