Creamy Kale Smoothie

Make this kale-apple-cucumber smoothie today!

Looking for a green smoothie recipe that even your kids will gulp down? Look no further. This kale-apple-cucumber smoothie is fast and easy to make, tastes creamy and sweet, and gets you a serving of greens.

If you’ve been on the green smoothie bandwagon for years, you don’t need me to convince you how awesome it feels to drink your veggies- you already know! However, if you’re new, or you’ve never had a green smoothie, or maybe you’ve never tried a green smoothie that you’ve liked, then this recipe is for you.

We know that a hormone-healthy, anti-inflammatory diet should incorporate lots of leafy greens- whether it’s kale, spinach, arugula or something else. So, why not make way for a green smoothie in your day? It’s a great way to sneak more green leafy vegetables. And this recipe will pack in a full cup of kale, setting you on the road to tasty healthdom. But first, a quick cooking tip…

To make a creamy, smooth green smoothie, you need proper equipment.

Regular blenders don’t have enough power to break down a fibrous vegetable like kale. Use one, and you’ll end up with an unappetizing green chunky drink. To get that perfectly puréed mouthfeel, you need a high-speed blender: a Vitamix or Blendtec. One other option is some version of the Nutribullet, a much lower-priced single-serving sized blender. In the meantime, if you don’t have a high powered blender, try subbing in baby spinach for the kale, it’s softer and blends up much more easily.

Ingredients

1 packed cup of kale (about one large leaf, stem removed)

1 medium apple, cored

1/2 cup cucumber

1 date

2 tablespoons hemp hearts

1/2 cup of ice cubes

1 cup plant milk (unsweetened and unflavored)

Optional toppings: shredded coconut, cacao nibs, chopped nuts, hemp hearts, chia seeds…

Directions

Add all ingredients to a high speed blender, in the order listed- you want the heavier ingredients to push the leafy kale down to the bottom of the blender. Blend, starting on low and gradually moving up to high speed, until the mixture is completely smooth and frothy. Pour into a glass and -if you like- top with shredded coconut, cacao nibs, or chopped nuts.

*Note that this smoothie has no protein, so if you’re having it as breakfast or a snack, you’ll want to pair it with some source of protein if you’re focused on keeping your energy steady and balancing blood sugar.

Enjoy!

Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment and let me know how it went!