So here is a brand new green, spirulina-containing new smoothie: my Green Monster Smoothie Recipe.
We all know how important the Glowing Green Smoothie® is in our lives. It is the Beauty Detox smoothie staple! But it doesn’t mean we can’t also experiment with some other green smoothies!
I love the benefits of spirulina, but I don’t necessarily want to put it in my GGS every day. The flavor is pretty intense! When properly combined with more sweetness, the spirulina combines beautifully. This is a great way to get it into our lives on a semi-regular basis.
Why The Green Monster?
When we were little we all read books about the boogey man and scary creatures and probably learned to associate the word “monster” with demons. I know that I was pretty traumatized as a child with some things I saw/read and had to check under my bed before going to sleep for years!
But here I am using the word “monster” to mean a whole heck of a lot of something amazing. Which in this case, is greens!
This smoothie recipe packs in both spinach and spirulina. While spinach is a leafy green you can get at the market or farmer’s market, spirulina is an algae.
Greens are our number one food group for providing us with all the minerals, amino acid and vitamins we need for superior beauty and nutrition. Their alkalinity helps root toxins out the more consistently we eat them. So let’s find out more about two greens I use in this recipe.
Beautifying Spinach
Spinach is not only a top beauty food but it’s one of the most delicious greens out there. When I’m standing in front of my fridge, pondering what to make for dinner, I often pick up fistfuls of baby spinach and just start munching away like a little monkey. I genuinely think spinach is delish!
It’s also rich in beta-carotene, which converts to the powerful anti-aging vitamin A. This is an important nutrient that promotes youthful skin by allowing for proper moisture retention in the epidermis.
It helping to prevent wrinkles and remove dead skin cells from your body to make room for fresh new ones.
Spinach is also high in vitamins C, K and E, a wide variety of minerals, enzymes, fiber, and antioxidants.
If you’re concerned about how much spinach you should be eating, just remember to always rotate your greens. You can learn more about this topic here.
Spirulina
Now…spirulina. I do NOT claim to love the taste of spirulina like i do spinach. I do not and can not sit there with a spoon and lap it up plain. That would be beyond nasty and I would gag! But what I do love is spirulina’s potent properties and what it does for our beauty and health.
Spirulina is amazing for our energy, hair, skin, brain and general health. It also helps boost immunity.
It contains the highest levels of carotenoids, promotes health and longevity with its high antioxidants. It is also one of the most complete food sources in the world. With over 100 nutrients, it contains an over 60% protein content.
The plant-based non-heme iron in spirulina is best absorbed in the presence of vitamin C, which is why we add fresh lemon juice to this recipe as well :).
One brand that I like to use is called Nutrex Hawaii Pure Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica, which comes in powdered form. This company has been cultivating Spirulina continuously for over 25 years. Not only that, but in deep sea water in a BioSecure zone free from pollution.
Spirulina is an excellent protein and nutrient source for those on a plant-based diet. It has to be used delicately, otherwise you might find it gross and avoid it at all costs.
I do think you will find this smoothie delicious and well balanced! :)
Prepare ingredients.
Pour in the coconut water.
Add your fresh lemon juice.
Next add the banana.
Add your spinach.
Then, add the spirulina to the blender, aiming to dump it in right down the middle! Starting the blender on a low speed, blend until smooth. If needed gradually increase to higher speeds and blend until smooth.
Enjoy!
Get your greens on and start to feel the beautifully-monstrous effects! ;)
See full recipe below…
Green Monster Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut water
- Juice of ½ of a lemon
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 handful of spinach
- 1/8- ¼ teaspoon spirulina
Instructions
- Add the coconut water, lemon, banana, greens and spirulina to the blender. Starting the blender on a low speed, blend until smooth. If needed gradually increase to higher speeds and blend until smooth.
- Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was on Instagram!
Note: In case you’re wondering what I use for coconut water, there are a lot of good ones out there, such as Vita Coco and ONE. Coconut water contains lots of potassium and minerals, and is very hydrating.
Let me know what you think of this recipe and don’t forget to add this to your Pinterest Smoothie board!
All love,
Kimberly
Green moustache it up like ‘Lil Bubby!! xo
Cool. I don’t have a Pinterest account. But I will try it. And I’m glad there isn’t a lot of ingredients. Thanks for publishing this.
Let us all know what you think of the taste. Thanks for writing in. Lots of love! ;)
I tried this recipe and I’m delighted with it. Thanks for sharing.
So happy you tried this Cion Morris, and thank you for sharing your feedback. Lots of love! ;)
this coconut water is pastuerized does that kill any of the ingredients?
I tried this smoothie it is delicious, thanks for the recipe
Thanks so much Engie, for giving this recipe a try and so happy you liked it. Lots of love! ;)
I am afraid to start drinking green smoothies again after getting a kidney stone 6 years ago after drinking green smoothies for about a year. Spinach is very high in oxalates along with beets, swiss chard and berries so I stopped doing smoothies since it was caused by oxalates in a lot of the greens and berries I was using. How can I safely start green smoothies again without concern of the high amount of oxalates in the greens and berries? My kidney stone was an oxalate/calcium stone.
Hi Jim Williams…I totally understand your hesitation but what’s great about my GGS is that you can swap out the greens with others you like. You can choose from many of the greens nature gives us, like: kale, swiss chard, collard greens…you name it. Experiment and see what you like. I always encourage my followers to vary their greens anyway, so you’ll be fine. Take it slow and listen to your body- keeping track of how you’re feeling. Happy Blending and lots of love and support! ;)
Is this more of a morning or afternoon smoothie?
Delicious! Perfect after yoga this morning.
Thank you so much Stacy. Lots of love! ;)
Hi! I have a question about spirulina. Some people take them as pills, is that an option if you don’t like the taste or is powder the best? Thanks for a great blog! X
Hi Sanna…I get this question a lot when it comes to my GGS smoothie and I have always been an activist in keeping the GGS very simple. And because spirulina is very flavor dominant, I like to pair it with cacao, stevia, dates and/or a banana and that’s why I pair spirulina with these options in my afternoon smoothies. The benefit that you’re gaining is that you’re receiving the alkaline you need from your GGS in the morning and then getting more of the alkaline balance in your afternoon snack. If you don’t like the flavor, maybe try adding some stevia or a date to this recipe to help counteract the spirulina’s intense flavor. You can definitely takes the pills as another option too. Hopes this helps and let us all know how you do. Lots of love! ;)
Dear Kimberly, is it safe to take spirulina tablets during pregnancy? I read that there is not enough scientific information about consuming spirulina during pregnancy, so the safe choice will be to avoid this supplement while pregnant. I am interested what is your opinion?
Thank in advance, all the best!
Sonja.
Hi Sonja and thanks for your question. I always encourage all of my Beauties to listen to their body and talk to your Health Care Practitioner to ensure you are receiving what your body personally needs, and your baby. There is a lot of advice out there and we all need to make that decision based on our gut and the advice of those who know your body and its needs. Sending you lots of love!