After a daunting task of cleaning your house, you deserve to relax and have a refreshing drink. The best refreshing drink that we suggest you to have is a green smoothie. Aside from giving you the refreshing feeling, this drink is also good for your health. Adding leafy greens to your smoothie not only turns your smoothie into our very favorite color here at Green Blender, but has so many benefits to your physical well-being.

Green vegetables like kale, spinach, collard greens, and lettuce are nutrient powerhouses. When blended in a smoothie, the nutrients in these leafy greens are released and readily absorbed into the bloodstream which enhances your nutrient absorption. With enhanced nutrient absorption, you become invigorated and energized! Smoothies, as opposed to juices, utilize the whole fruits and veggies that go into them.  The abundant fiber in leafy greens, when consumed in a hydrating smoothie, will help you reach optimal digestibility. Leafy greens also help you boost your immune system. Loaded with phytonutrients, leafy greens strengthen your immune system and help you stave off illness all year long.

On the other hand, dark leafy greens are rich in calcium and vitamin K, which is necessary in ensuring calcium reaches your bones and not your tissues. Rich in antioxidants like vitamin A and C, greens in smoothies can significantly lower cholesterol, decreasing your risk of heart attack or stroke. Full of antioxidants, green smoothies reduce the signs of aging as well as hydrate your skin. Most people struggle to get enough greens, which are excellent sources of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll replenishes and rebuilds red blood cells, rejuvenating your body.

When you consume whole, unprocessed, nourishing foods, you naturally start to crave those healthy foods over unhealthy sweet, salty, and fatty ones. Believe it or not, consuming green smoothies makes you more likely to engage in other healthy habits. Because the human mind thrives on consistency, one healthy habit leads to another. So after adding kale or spinach to your smoothie, you may opt for a side salad instead of fries when eating out. When you eat fruits and vegetables in the raw state you get double the nutrients, because when you cook food it loses half of the vitamins and nutrients.

All you need to have is your green leafy vegetables and your blender and you are good to go! Fall in love with your health!

Here are some tips that will help you in creating your first smoothie

When you’re making your first few green smoothies, don’t just throw things in the blender. Chances are, it’ll taste nasty if you wing it right out of the gate. To save you a few smoothie-fails, bust out those cute little measuring cups and follow this simple formula: 60% fruits to 40% leafy greens. (2 cups of leafy greens + 2 cups of liquid base + 3 cups of rice fruit)

• Here are some green veggies that you can use for your green smoothie: spinach, kale, romaine, bok choy, swiss chard, collards, dandelion. For your liquid base you may use one of these: water, coconut milk, coconut water, almond milk. And for your rice fruit you can choose from any of the following: banana, mango, berries, orange, avocado, peach, pear, apple, pineapple, grapes

• First, you have to blend the leafy greens, and liquid base first. Second, add the fruits and then blend again. You may use at least one frozen fruit to chill smoothie. This formula yields about 32 ounces and serves 2

• You may also boost your green smoothie by adding some boosters like chia seeds, coconut oil, almond butter, hemp seeds, hemp protein powder, flax seeds, cacao, cinnamon, and acai powder.

• Chewing your green smoothie is no fun!  To get a “smooth” green smoothie experience, blend up your leafy greens and liquid-base first. Then add your remaining fruits and blend again.

• Ditch the ice, and freeze the fruits! Want your green smoothie to be extra chilly? Freeze your favorite fruits like ripe bananas (peel first), grapes, pineapple or berries. This is also a great way to not waste ripe fruits (like those brown bananas on your counter). You can also freeze your leafy greens in a freezer-safe bag. Just make sure to add your frozen greens straight to the blender (don’t defrost these fragile little guys).

• Use raw natural sweeteners. Add naturally sweet fruits to any smoothie that tastes bitter or a bit too “green.” By sticking with naturally sweet fruits like bananas, mango, apples, pears or pitted dates, we avoid artificial sweeteners and processed sugars.

• Make smoothies ahead for the perfect fast food. We know life can get crazy busy— especially in the morning. That’s why we think green smoothies are the healthiest fast food for people who are constantly on the go. You can blend your green smoothie the night before and store it in your fridge (up to 2 days). Use an airtight lid to limit oxidation and keep it as fresh as possible. When ready to drink, give it a good shake before you open.