Energy Boosting Green Smoothie
Updated 1/2021 I’m including the newer version of my energy boosting green smoothie that I make almost every day.
Do you want to raise your energy without caffeine? This energy boosting green smoothie, full of nutritious vegetables, will invigorate you any time of the day minus the negative effects of caffeine.
Why Make Your Own Green Smoothies
We all need more vegetables in our diets! Most smoothies that you buy almost always have too much fruit or even worse have added sugar.
Making your own at home is the best way to use a green smoothie to get extra vegetables because you control what you add to it.
When you make your energy boosting green smoothie at home you get to add extra nutrition in the form of healthy fats and collagen powder.
Plus if you want, you can use organic fruits and vegetables When you make your own, you know exactly what you are getting!
Benefits of Homemade Green Smoothies
This clean vegan, dairy-free smoothie is also great for your skin and your body too!
Coffee or other caffeine drinks are just not an option for me after early morning.
Yet, I love something special to pick me up in the afternoons. This energy boosting green smoothie is perfect for me.
It’s no secret I love coffee, however coffee doesn’t always love me, especially if I drink a little too much or drink it too late in the day.
That can mean trouble falling asleep later or that uncomfortable feeling from too much caffeine.
I decided that a green smoothie might work. When I make smoothies they are made mostly with vegetables so that I don’t get a sugar-crash later.
Yet, the vegetables and small amount of fruit would ideally be energizing. In addition, I add a scoop or two of collagen powder to give it some body and for added skin-improving benefits.
This smoothie really does the trick for me.
It has celery and cucumbers in it, in addition to the leafy greens and an orange. A little ginger gives it some snap and there you go.
It’s super simple to make, refreshing, and gives you the feeling you are taking care of your body.
Collagen protein is something I add to either my coffee or green smoothie in the morning. My skin, hair, and nails have never been better. They have no taste.
Notes on Making an Energy Boosting Green Smoothie
Blending a green smoothie
Start blender on slow. This is so important. If you forget and go to high too quickly, sometimes the ingredients get stuck or worse the top can blow off and smoothie goes every where!
As the veggies and fruits get chopped up, increase speed until it is smoothly blended into a lovely drink. Oranges and cucumbers are juicy so don’t add too much water at first.
Fruit for you smoothie
I juice one whole lemon and add a piece of apple these days.
But an orange also tastes delicious. If you want it a little sweeter you can add a small piece of banana or blueberries. Blueberries change the color but they are so good for you.
Oil for green smoothies
Most women need more healthy oils and fats in their diets. Fat doesn’t make you fat and it is an extremely important nutrient. Odd one or two teaspoons to your green smoothie.
I use Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil exclusively. This oil really helps me focus and maintain even energy through the day. Plus a little oil makes the smoothie have a nice texture.
Other options are a light-tasting olive oil or MCT oil (another liquid form of coconut oil)
When to drink your smoothie
I love having this refreshing, energizing smoothie in the afternoon or along side my lunch for extra veggie deliciousness.
Collagen for your green smoothie
Use an unflavored collagen powder. I use one serving which for my brand is two scoops. Collagen is great for your skin and the addition to the smoothie, makes it, well, smoother.
Two brands that I’ve used and like are Bulletproof and Vital Proteins.
Cucumbers for your smoothie
I use the little cucumbers that you can eat skin and all. They have a very delicate pleasant flavor.
However, if you can’t find the baby cucumbers you can use English cucumbers or regular cucumbers.
Energy Boosting Green Smoothie #1
This is the recipe I started making in the fall of 2020 and I am hooked. It’s clean and provides just the right amount of energy.
- 2 small cucumbers cut into chunks (can substitute baby spinach)
- 1 stalk of celery cut into chunks
- 1/2 inch of ginger, peeled and chopped
- Juice of 1 whole lemon
- 1 serving of unflavored collagen powder
- 1 tsp oil MCT (liquid coconut oil) or light tasting olive oil)
- 1 packet Whole Earth stevia
- 1/2 small apple
- Water to mix
Place all the ingredients in a blender. Mix on slow at first and gradually increase the speed until the smoothie is green and everything is thoroughly blended.
Drink immediately or store in refrigerator in glass jar with lid.
Energy Boosting Green Smoothie #2
This a lively mix of green vegetables and citrus that will boost your energy in the afternoon without caffeine.
- 2 handfuls of super or power greens (spinach and/or kale is fine too)
- A slice or two of ginger
- ½ cucumber sliced (I like to keep the peel on so I try to buy organic)
- 1 2 stalks of celery sliced
- 1 orange (cut peel away, leaving white stuff on, and then chop)
- 1 2 tsp of coconut oil
- 1 or 2 scoops of unflavored collagen powder
- A chunk or two of banana (optional)
- Water
- Add ingredients to the blender in the order listed. I find the blending easier when the greens go in first and the chunkier things on top.
- Start blender on slow. This is so important. If you forget and go to high to quickly, sometimes the ingredients get stuck or worse the top can blow off and smoothie goes every where!
- As the veggies and fruits get chopped up, increase speed until it is smoothly blended into a lovely drink. Oranges and cucumbers are juicy so don’t add too much water at first.
This makes a gorgeous bright green drink. It’s not too sweet. Sometimes I add a chunk or two of banana to sweeten it up. But I usually forget and I like it just fine. If you want something even tarter, you could swap a lemon for the orange. But I am partial to the orange in this.
You might notice, there’s a little coconut oil in this. It might sound weird, but I always add some oil to my smoothies. It makes the texture nicer and gives it more staying power. I like to have some fat to balance out the vegetables. A teaspoon or two does the trick.
Not only do I get a pick-me-up; I get an extra serving of vegetables in. This is a total win-win in my book!
Keep showing up my friends,
Sara
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Hi, I'm Sara Garska and I'm so happy you're here! My Think Big Life began shortly after I turned 50. Big changes can happen with a small start, an adjustment of thought, or a simple process. Over time, you transform your life into the one you always dreamed of having. As a certified life and weight loss coach, I can help you create a life you love. Click here to schedule a free 50-minute coaching session.