how to make your custom green smoothie

Green smoothies are the easiest and most effective way to not only energize and nourish your body on a consistent basis, but also to ensure optimum health and vitality in the long-term. 

While making a green smoothie is simple and straightforward, one obstacle that you might face from time to time is the availability of ingredients. Sometimes, the grocery stores might not carry the fruits and vegetables that you want due to seasonal constraints, other times you might discover that you don’t have them in your refrigerator.

While this roadblock might deter you from making a green smoothie altogether, don’t let perfection come in the way of progress. I’ve created a mix and match guide to help you make your own custom green smoothie using a Vitamix blender with all the fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients you have on a particular day. I’m sure this will give you both a rigid structure as well some much-needed flexibility to get you going and make your own green smoothie in no time.

How to Make Your Custom Green Smoothie

Ingredients

Category 1 – Greens (Select one item)

• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup kale
• ½  head of romaine
• 1 romaine heart
• 1 small head of Bibb or Boston lettuce
• ¾  cup raw broccoli florets

Category 2 – Non-leafy vegetables (Select one item)

• 1 carrot
• 1 green pepper
• 2 stalks of celery
• ½ cup cucumber (peeled or unpeeled)

Category 3 – Fruits (Select one item)

• 1 apple
• 1 banana
• 1 orange, peeled
• 1 cup berries
• 1 cup grapes
• 1 kiwi, peeled
• 2 small sapotas
• 1 cup pineapple
• 1 cup peaches
• 1 cup mango, peeled
• ½ cup papaya, peeled
• 1 pear
• 1 cup melon, peeled

Category 4 – Herbs and spices (Select one item)

• 1 tablespoon holy basil (Tulsi) powder
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cardamom
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Category 5 – Liquid base (Select one item)

• 1 cup soy milk (plain or vanilla)
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 cup vegan yogurt (plain or flavored)
• 1 cup regular drinking water
• 1 cup alkaline water (suggested: Essentia Water, 9.5 pH)

Directions

1. Choose one item each from Categories 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
2. Place all your ingredients in the Vitamix blender, liquid first, then soft ingredients, then the firm ones.
3. Add one cup of ice in the end (optional).
4. Secure the lid and select Variable 1 or the Smoothies program.
5. Turn the blender on and slowly increase to its highest speed.
6. Blend for 45 seconds or until smooth.
7. Pour the smoothie in a glass or tumbler and enjoy.