5 Healthy Green Smoothies That Aren’t Actually Green

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Up-Beet-OpenerFor some, sipping blended greens is as sacred a ritual as a morning cup of coffee. But if the idea of drinking something the color of your lawn isn't your idea of a perk-up, you're in luck: When it comes to green smoothies, looks can be deceiving.

In their new book, Simple Green Smoothies, longtime friends Jen Hansard and Jadah Sellner share more than 100 inventive ways to whip up healthy, chlorophyll-laced blends. Each one incorporates at least one cup of leafy greens like kale, spinach, cabbage, and Swiss chard—but thanks to colorful, nutrient-packed additions like berries and beets, you wouldn't know from the looks of them. Sneaky, right?

"Berries are a great way to boost the antioxidant content and mask the bright green color of most green smoothies," explain Hansard and Sellner, whose popular Instagram account, Simple Green Smoothies, prompted a website and, now, this book of the same name. "Just know that even though your green smoothie doesn't appear to be green, it's still packed with all the nutritional goodness found in a fresh glass of leafy love."

To quell any lingering inhibitions (yours or someone you plan to trick), here are five super easy—and colorful!—ways to get a taste of the green smoothie rainbow. —Larkin Clark 

First up: A vitamin C-packed cold-fighting smoothie...

Recipes reprinted from Simple Green Smoothies by Jen Hansard and Jadah Sellner. Copyright (c) 2015 by Jen Hansard and Jadah Sellner. By permission of Rodale Books. 

(Photo: Lindsey Johnson.)

 

Citrus-ColdCitrus Cold Recovery
You don't actually need to be coughing and sniffling to reap this sunny elixir's benefits. "Beets are loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C, which can help boost your immune system," write Hansard and Sellner. "Flaxseed oil contains both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids; having a proper balance of these fatty acids is important for brain function and heart health."

Ingredients
2 cups green cabbage
1 cup water
2 oranges, peeled
2 cups chopped pineapple
1⁄4 cup peeled and cubed raw golden beet
Juice of 1⁄2 lemon
2 Tbsp flaxseed oil

Blend the cabbage, water, and oranges until smooth. Add the pineapple, beet, lemon juice, and flaxseed oil and blend again. Serves 2.

(Photo: Lindsey Johnson)

073521_Kiwi Berry Glow-3Kiwi Berry Glow
Think of this lush purple sipper as a spa facial in smoothie form. “Kiwifruit is loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants, which keep skin firm, help prevent wrinkles, and are great for healthy bones and teeth," Hansard and Sellner say. Bonus: The mint helps ease digestion.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups spinach
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
2 cups unsweetened coconut water
2 cups blackberries
2 kiwifruit, halved

Blend the spinach, mint, and coconut water until smooth. Add the blackberries and kiwifruit and blend again. Serves 2.

(Photo: Lindsey Johnson)

 

 

073521_Simple Monkey-10Simple Monkey
Sweet tooth won't shut up? This creamy concoction should do the trick and then some, thanks to potassium-packed bananas for good muscular and skeletal health, antioxidant-rich cacao powder, and the long-lasting fuel source that is (super delish) almond butter.

Ingredients
2 cups spinach
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
3 bananas
4 Tbsp cacao powder
2 Tbsp almond butter

Blend the spinach and almond milk until smooth. Add the bananas, cacao powder, and almond butter and blend again. Serves 2.

(Photo: Lindsey Johnson)

 

 

Up-Beet-SmoothieUp Beet
If you're feeling sluggish, swig this ruby-colored blend. “Beetroot has long been used for medicinal purposes, primarily for disorders of the liver because it helps stimulate the organ's detoxification processes,” explain Hansard and Sellner. Wary of beets’ dirt-tinged flavor? “Simply peel the beets first.... If you want to sweeten your beets, roast or steam them (they become even easier to peel once they’re cooked).”

Ingredients
2 cups spinach
1⁄4 cup peeled and chopped beet
2 cups unsweetened coconut water
1 orange, peeled
1 cup chopped pineapple
1 cup cherries, pitted

Blend the spinach, beet, and coconut water until smooth. Add the orange, pineapple, and cherries and blend again. Serves 2.

(Photo: Lindsey Johnson)

 

 

 

073521_Kale-icious and Sweet ReliefKale-Licious
If the photo above is freaking you out, don't worry: this drink is the purple-hued one pictured on the left! It's loaded with kale, one of Hansard and Sellner's go-tos. “This dark leafy green is good for hair, nails, and bone health, and it provides protein, iron, vitamins, and minerals,” the duo explains. Blend it with a healthy fat source like almond butter, which sustains your energy longer than greens and fruit alone, and you've got the ideal breakfast drink.

Ingredients
2 cups kale, stems removed
2 cups water
1 cup blueberries
1 cup chopped pineapple
1 banana
2 tablespoons almond butter

Blend the kale and water until smooth. Add the blueberries, pineapple, banana, and almond butter and blend again. Serves 2.

(Photo: Lindsey Johnson)

 Is your motto 'All Day I Dream About Smoothies'? Then these are 5 tricks you'll probably—no, make that definitely—want to know before your next blend session.

 

 

 

 

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