I received an email last week from Katherine over at Real Food Runner inviting me to join her in hosting a 7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge. My immediate response was yes because I love green smoothies and I love connecting with and supporting other bloggers.
This is the perfect time to do a 7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge because the warmer spring weather makes me crave cold breakfasts and snacks like smoothies and Greek yogurt rather than things like oatmeal and hot tea. I’m also excited because my new protein powder arrived today so I’m going to incorporate it into my smoothies and see if I notice a difference over the seven days.
A green smoothie the size of my head, don’t mind if I do! 😉
So here are the details…all you have to do is add one green smoothie to your daily eats for seven days. They make a great breakfast when you add protein powder or nut butter and are great afternoon snacks and post-workout recovery drinks. The challenge starts on Monday, March 26 so you have the weekend to stock up and get prepared. My “base recipe” for green smoothies can be found in this post and Katherine posted a great link to 15 green smoothie recipes that includes a video. I will also be trying to expand my smoothie recipe repertoire and sharing some new combinations with you over the course of the week.
The fun part is that we’d like for our readers to do the challenge with us. To sign up just leave a comment on my blog or Katherine’s (leave a link to your blog if you have one!) and we’ll post a list of the participants on Monday. We’ll do a final round up at the end with everyone who completed the challenge. Feel free to send us pictures and share recipes!
Who is with us!?
HAPPY WEEKEND!!!
Pinneapple, Orange Juice, Wheatgrass, Spinach and Unflavored Protein powder is my favorite green smoothie combination. Sometime I add banana or avocado to make it creamier. yum yum yum I am so in!
i’ve never tried avocado in a smoothie but given my love for avocado, i’m sure it would be great. thanks for sharing!
I’m in! I love green smoothies but can get pretty lazy about whipping them together, this will be a great motivator! I can’t even fathom a non-chocolatey smoothie but perhaps I will be inspired by one of those recipes!
I’m in! I tried your base smoothie, only adding brewed & chilled green tea instead of milk (I didn’t like the creaminess the milk gave it) and I am hooked! I’ve been lazy with making these lately, but this is a perfect way to get them back in my breakfast routine!
what a cool idea to use green tea…and it provides a little bit of caffeine and antioxidants!
I first heard about green smoothies here so I am in. I really like them but I also get lazy if the ingredients aren’t right there. I saw this idea on Pinterest to get everything prepped in bags in the freezer so you can just dump it in the blender and add milk or juice so I am going to try to do that next week. I plan on doing the same with my greens by steaming them and freezing them in ice cube trays. I know that can take away some nutritional value but I live in a rural area and don’t have easy access to produce so this way I can use them up without worrying about them going bad and throwing away money. Sorry, you didn’t want a novel!
oh that sounds like a great way to make the prep easier. i think you idea about the greens is a perfect adaptation given you situation!
I am in! I generally have a green smoothie a few times a week (love them with nut butter and some other superfoods). So why not make it 7 days in a row!
I’m in! I’ll start with your recipe as it looks simple enough 🙂
AH I totally would, but I am leaving for Vegas for a week tomorrow morning! Sadly, my Vita-mix will not be making the trip with me. I had an awesome oatmeal-cookie-esque one last night, though, and a thick banana milkshake-y one today! Yum, love adding spinach to delicious smoothies. Can’t wait to read what you guys come up with once I return so I can add to my repertoire!
have fun in vegas!
I’m totally in! I have been making green smoothie all this week. Here’s my favorite: banana, pineapple, mango, spinach, whey protein. yummy!
love the addition of the tropical fruits. yum!
I’m in! I love these smoothies, and I’m about to start adding protein powder, so I’m curious about how you end up liking it.
Count me in! :0)
I’m in!
I am definitely in! I do agree that the timing is perfect! Weather here in London is warm as well!
Let’s bring it on! Green Monstersssss 🙂
I’m in! Two breakfasts this week were green smoothies — like you, I’m definitely feeling them with the warmer weather! I’ve actually talked about juicing for a week (two meals a day, one ‘regular’ meal at night) as I feel like my body is craving a bit more variety and nutrition than what I’ve been giving it. Perfect timing for this challenge for me 🙂
i need to educate myself more on juicing. i’ve never tried it at home.
Check out viva raw on facebook. They are in charlotte and will guide you through a juice cleanse…they even deliver the juice to you! I am 3days into a 7-day juicing, with a light dinner meal…and loving it !
I’m in!!! Love this… however, I’m a Flight Attendant so my 7 days wont be in a row (they frown upon us trying to get Blenders through TSA) but I’ll do the best I can. 🙂 I love Green Smoothies and have been wanting to mix it up with some new ones to try! 🙂 Love this.
we’ll give you a pass! 🙂
Totally in. There’s a mint green protein smoothy on Dashing Dish that I’ve been dying to try. now I have my reason.
Well, I’ve had a green smoothie weds, thurs and today… So I may as well make it a 10 day plan!
Great idea, count me in.
I’n in!!!!! Been lovinggg green smoothies lately!
I am in!!! LOVE green smoothies 🙂
I am in! I love your blog and would love to incorporate green smoothies into my diet!
I’m in too. So we still eat whatever else we want for the rest of the day? I came across this recipe yesterday..I haven’t tried it yet.
1 C. non dairy milk(I used almond milk-coconut milk would be good too!)
handful of spinach (about 1 c.)
handful of kale (just the leaves-no stems)
handful of swiss chard
1 green apple
1/2 medium cucumber (diced)
1 frozen banana
1 TB. chia seeds
1-2 tsp. sweetener of choice(agave or maple syrup works best) You could even throw in a few dates
Ice (about 1 1/2 C.)
Directions: Blend until creamy and delicious
i want to experiment with coconut milk too! and i’ve never tried kale in a green smoothie.
oh and yes – eat whatever you want the rest of the day! just have a smoothie at least once per day.
What a fun idea!! This is my favorite, a peanut butter monster which is on my blog:
8 oz. milk (I use almond milk)
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
1/2 frozen banana
1 large spoonful of peanut butter (I like Better n Peanut Butter)
1 small chunk of frozen spinach
Ice to taste (I use about half a cup)
Sooo delicious!!
you know i love all things peanut butter! 🙂
I’m in! I have one most days anyway and I need to shake up the variations a bit! 🙂
I blend a cup of spinach with strawberries, cucumber and water! It is great!
I look forward to trying other recipes and joining the green smoothie challenge!
oh, like the cucumber idea!
I am so IN!! Can hardly wait start this! I love smoothies and a green on will be tasty for a change!!
I LOVE green smoothies!! I try to have one daily and can tell if I feel off when I don’t have one! I am definitely in for the challenge!
I’m in! Great idea! My green smoothies are always the same (banana, milk, protein powder, spinach… and a bit of fibre to make it keep me fuller for longer), but that list of 15 recipes is awesome! I’ll definitely have to try some of those, looks like a great way to insert more veges in to my day without much effort.
i need to mix mine up too! i’m going to try to do a different variation every day!
I’m in (but I’m way too lazy to blog about it)!
you don’t have to!
I’m in! Fun idea!!
I’m in! (:
In! This is fun for spring!
Okay – I’m in for this! I’m traveling Thursday and gone until Tuesday without my own blender (conference in Vegas); I will try to see if I can find green smoothies in Vegas! Thanks for the challenge (also got some new-to-me-protein powder coming my way so I’m excited to try that too). 🙂
I don’t comment often, but always read, and while I’m an employee not an employer like you, I’ve made the switch from working at a gym for 1.5 years as a PT to working on my own house-to-house for 3 years and now I’m doing that while transitioning to work at a gym (a GREAT one!) full time. Even though I’m not in a management position (that would be an even fuller load!), I hear you on the long hours and adjusting schedule! Hope you have a great weekend, Jen!
bonnie – thank you for reading and commenting! it sounds like you have a lot of transition going on but a great opportunity at the new gym. good luck!
have fun in vegas!
COUNT ME IN! i love my green monsters. I have already incorporated them into my diet on a regular basis but I am always up for a challenge and new ways to spice things up! Great idea!
I’m in! I love green smoothies & this is extra motivation to drink them more often!
I like this idea for the whole week! I love smoothies and gotta start making some, especially since the weather is getting nicer over here!
I’m in! I looveee green smoothies but am often too lazy to make them, so this sounds like a great challenge!
I am in! I have a new blender and have been wanting to try some new smoothie recipes. Perfect timing!
(My blog link is above.)
jealous of your new blender. mine is terrible! luckily i can use a professional grade vitamix at work!
I’m in!! I just made one this morning. Unfortunately, the combination of raspberries and spinach made my green monster a VERY unfortunate shade of brown….The kids could not believe I was eating something that looked like that! Oh, and Green Monster is the outfield at Fenway, so this is getting me ready for the Red Sox season to start!
haha – that always happens to me when i add in blueberries or strawberries!
Made a green smoothie for the first time in awhile just today — My two year old took a sip & then said “MINE!” haha… he’s a great eater but normally turns his nose up at spinach so this was great. Now if only my four year old daughter wasn’t so skeptical at the color! lol … I need some new smoothie recipes and am totally up for the challenge! Count me in!
so cute! what a great way to sneak in the greens.
maybe try giving it to her in an insulated cup so she can’t see it?
I ordered the protein powder yesterday and I love green smoothies and your blog? I’m always up for a challenge! Count me in!
I am IN, perfect timing for me. I am training for the Marine Corps Half Marathon in May. I love your blog – long time follower, first time commenter.
woo hoo! good luck with half training and thanks for reading and commenting! 🙂
I’m in! I already have a smoothie a day so I hope this still counts. I bring mine to work and have convinced a few non-believers into smoothie lovers. If you are traveling, some hotels have smoothies on their menus and will custom blend one for you. The spinach throws them off a bit, but I always tell them to make a little extra and try it so that they can recommend it to their next customers.
i love that you introduce hotels to green smoothies! 🙂
I’ll do it! I’ve been eating a lot of green smoothies anyway so now I just need the motivation to blog about it! 🙂
yes, you have great smoothie recipes! 🙂
I am in!
I am in!
I’m in! I’ve been wanting to incorporate more green smoothies into my diet. This challenge couldn’t have come at a better time!
Count me in !
I am in!!
I’m in!
I’m in! I have been wanting to incorporate these in my diet and this is just the motivation I need!!
I’m in and asking my friends on facebook to join us! Whoop!
My favorite smoothie:
Blend together 1 frozen banana, 1/2 cup of vanilla yogurt, 2 cups spinach, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, a handful of oats, dash of cinnamon, and enough milk to make it the consistency you like! delish!
Here is my green smoothie recipe that i’ve been using every morning for the last 5 years. I guess I should switch it up, but it tastes so good!
Ingredients:
2 large chard leaves
handful of spinach
1 banana
1/2 apple
1/4 cup frozen or fresh berries of choice
1/2 cup orange juice or water
3 tablespoons Raw Organic Whey protein (raworganicwhey.com)
Bend it all in a blender and it’s an amazing way to start the day.
Im totally in
In
fantastic points altogether, you just gained a emblem new reader.
What might you suggest about your submit that you made some days ago?
Any positive?
I’m in!