This vibrant apple ginger green smoothie is full of fresh flavors and has plenty of protein to give you lasting energy all day long.
As we enter the last week of January, I thought it would be a good time to discuss turning New Year’s resolutions into permanent lifestyle changes. Although I didn’t begin my weight loss journey in the month of January, I know first hand how much work and commitment it takes to live a healthier life. I also know a thing or two about turning temporary resolutions into long term lifestyle changes since I have been able to keep the weight off for over 7 years.
With the timing of my second baby occurring right before the New Year’s resolution season, I am right there with much of the world battling a weight loss journey and trying to make positive changes to live a healthier life. Here are two of my best tips for keeping it up long after January has come and gone:
Think Ahead: Planning is vital when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. From weekly meal planning to creating an exercise schedule to making sure you have healthy snacks on hand, you must think ahead. By taking a few moments over the weekend or at the beginning of each day to plan ahead, you will save yourself time and frustration all week long. It might seem like extra work but the more you do it, the easier and more habitual it becomes.
Set Backs are Part of the Plan
Set Backs are Part of the PlanWhile it would be wonderful to exercise an hour and eat 1500 organic calories every single day, life can get in the way of even the best-laid plans. Between birthdays, holidays, weddings and other special occasions, life happens. By planning for these setbacks, they will become part of the plan and not an excuse to throw in the towel and give up. The trick is to get back in the salad at your very next meal. Do not wait for Monday. Don’t even wait for the next day. Treat your next meal life Monday morning.
And now let’s talk about this gorgeous green smoothie. Isn’t the color stunning? I used a beautiful bunch of lacinato kale I had on hand as well as a good handful of parsley. If you’ve never tried parsley in a green smoothie, you must give it a shot. In addition to being full of vitamins and nutrients, it is a natural detoxifier. But really, I just add it because it adds a delicious, grassy background flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet apple and spicy ginger.
Your straw is waiting.
Apple Ginger Green Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 cups kale (loosely packed stems removed)
- 1 apple (core removed cut chunks)
- 2 celery stalks (quartered)
- 1/2 banana
- 1/2 cup parsley
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1 inch piece ginger root (quartered)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 1 cup water or lemon juice
- Ice to taste
Instructions
- Place all ingredients except for the ice in a high speed blender and puree until smooth.
- Add ice to taste and pulse until creamy and smooth.
Rachel
Recipe Question: When you note “1 in apple”, what exactly does that mean? Was it supposed to be “1 apple” and there is a typo? I am very much looking forward to trying this recipe, and I appreciate your willingness to share it and take the time to answer questions/respond to comments.
Liz DellaCroce
Yes one apple – sorry about that all fixed! Enjoy!! :)
Rachel
Thank you for replying to promtly, Liz. I am going to try this smoothie as written in a few hours. I am going to try it with parsley (I always try recipes as written first). However, I was wondering…how do you think this would turn out with cilantro or basil? Both very different flavors than parsley, I understand. I was just curious if you had ever tried either of these variations. I have used cilantro in a smoothie before, but it was paired with peach, pineapple, and pear. It was very good, but those fruits are a different flavor profile than what you have here.
Liz DellaCroce
Yes I love adding cilantro to smoothies as well as fresh mint!
Rachel
I am drinking this now, and it is very good! You have to understand how much I cannot tolerate celery in a smoothie. I used the 2 stalks called for in this recipe, and the smoothie is still very tasty. I love the fact that you did not add an entire orchard and vineyard worth of fruit in this smoothie. I only used a small apple with the 1/2 banana and 1/2 cup of blueberries, and I found it sweet enough even with my greens, banana, blueberries, and celery were frozen/partially frozen (the colder something is, the sweeter it needs to be for our taste buds to register sweet).
This part is going to sound odd, and it was the only change that I had to make to the recipe: I replaced half of the water with 2 large eggs to add some fat/protein to this since I do not use protein powder. No eggy flavor at all believe it or not and no strange consistency.
Thank you again for sharing such a unique and awesome recipe, Lix!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you liked it and made it your own!!! :)
Trish
I didn’t use parsley or banana because I didn’t have them on hand, substituted spinach for Kale and thought it was yummy. Can’t wait to try it with parsley and banana:) It was a good change from my normal fruits:)
Liz DellaCroce
So glad you enjoyed it!
JozieLee
Not my thing. Little too pungent for me. I’m used to fruit smoothies, and this was too radical a change too fast for me.
Liz DellaCroce
So sorry you didn’t like it!
Laura
I was looking for a smoothie with ginger in it and this is delicious with the lemon and ginger combination, but there is no way it will be green with the blueberries in it. Mine is more of a murky reddish brown. Still tasty though.
Liz DellaCroce
Well my smoothies change in color depending on the type of apple, fresh or frozen blueberries – but like you said delicious either way!
Emily
Hi there, do you use fresh or frozen blueberries?
Liz DellaCroce
Either work!
Jeanenne
This is my go-to-smoothie! Oh, so healthy and so delicious! I follow it exactly as given. Will use spinach and maybe a different fruit sometime. Thank you! I have oodles of smoothie recipes, but this one is the best and the one I use every day!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so thrilled you love it!!
Christine
This is surprisingly good! I kept adding the ingredients as directed, fearing I’d have to dump the whole thing out. It just sounded so impossible. Cinnamon in a green smoothie??? I mean, come on! ;)
But it came out delicious, and I’m thrilled with all the greens AND protein.
This one’s a keeper for sure. Thanks for sharing!!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you took the risk and make it!! Good right? I wouldn’t mislead you!
Chrystal
The smoothie sounds delicious and looks gorgeous but does it really stay that green with the blueberries? I find whenever I use them it changes the color of smoothies to blue or yuck brown. Just curious if I can expect the same results. Thanks! – I found your smoothie on Pinterest.
Liz DellaCroce
The reason it’s so green is that I used a granny smith apple. :) But of course don’t let the color deter you – it’s delicious no matter what kind of apple you use!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy
I need this smoothie to get back on track after all of my holiday eating! This looks amazing.
Liz DellaCroce
It’s perfect for that!! Happy 2015!
Dave
Thanks for the recipe. Made it today, was pretty delicious.
However, the whey protein that you recommend actually inhibits the antioxidant activity in the blueberries.
I would recommend a rice/pea protein blend… great amino acid profile without the junk in milk!
Liz DellaCroce
Glad you liked it! I’ll definitely check out another type of protein powder.
Nutmeg Nanny
Oh I love parsley in my smoothies and juices :) this looks beautiful!
Liz DellaCroce
Isn’t parsley the best?
Peg
Where is the best place to purchase protein powder?
Liz DellaCroce
I order it on Amazon – do you see the link I share in the recipe? That’s the one I buy and love!!
Peg Panici
Thanks… I missed that. Just ordered. Enjoyed you on Eight West on a ” snow day.”
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so glad you got to catch the segment Peg!
Jessica
Thanks for the recipe! Today I made one with spinach, blueberries and bananas. Heading to the grocery store now and planning on getting ingredients to try out this delicious concoction. Also found two more recipes I’m excited to try, one with chard and one with Kale.
Liz DellaCroce
That sounds delicious Jessica!!
Sarah Liz
I’m so glad I stumbled on this website. There are so many and this one seems to fit my needs exactly. I am a mother of two trying to get fit and lose weight while juggling a full-time job. As well, my husband just went back to work full time so we are adjusting to not having one parent work from home and be much more available. So, meal planning and making those meals healthy ones are my main concerns. I like your take on “healthy” too, as of course that varies quite a bit. I’m excited try these recipes. I’m going to try the coconut curry slow cooker chicken one first.
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so glad you found me Sarah!! The slow cooker chicken curry is a staple in our house. Let me know what else you try!! Enjoy!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
This is such a great post. I love all of your tips (and the smoothie, of course!)!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much Stephanie!
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
Great tips! I’m guilty of falling off the wagon, and staying off after that one mistake. It’s so important to know that one slip up isn’t going to mess you up in the long run!
I always do the same smoothie of blueberries, almond milk protein powder and that’s it– so boring! Love all the flavors in your version!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes I totally relate!!! Getting back up after falling off the wagon is never easy. Thank you for reading!!
Joanne
These are AWESOME tips!! Anyone can diet for a month, but the people who stay healthy for LIFE are truly dedicated. Love the green hue in this smoothie…it’s so vibrant you can almost SEE how health-full it is!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much JoAnne!! I am obsessed with the green color too!!
Jenny Flake
Apple and Ginger are two of my favorite ingredients together! I can practically taste the deliciousness now :) xo
Liz DellaCroce
Mine too Jenny!!! I’ll trade you for some malt balls… (my fave!)
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
Can I just say that I love how we “smoothied” our Monday?! Great minds think alike!
Liz DellaCroce
FIST PUMP for mutual smoothies!!!
Gaby
Scheduling is so important and you have the best ideas for staying on track. Now I want this smoothie!
Liz DellaCroce
Aren’t you off the grid in the Amazon right now? Ps: You are my hero. xo
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen
This smoothie is right up my alley! Love all the flavors in this, and especially the little zing from the ginger. I always have parsley at home, but have never thought to add it to my smoothie….definitely trying this asap!
Liz DellaCroce
It’s funny I always have parsley too which is what made me think of it!! I hope you like it!
annie @ chase that i love
We love bright green smoothies around here! Looks super.
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you Annie!
Anna @ Garnish with Lemon
You have the most unique flavor combinations in your smoothie recipes, Liz. Thanks for always inspiring me to try something new!
Liz DellaCroce
Aww thank you so much Anna!!
Ashley M. | Our Full Table
This looks and sounds amazing!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you Ashley!!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
As always, great tips Liz! Also, I’m pumped about this smoothie–I have almost every thing we need here at home to make it. Pinned for tomorrow morning!
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know what you think!!
julia
I just love this smoothie. I use spinach in smoothies but haven’t tried kale. It is now on my list. And parsley?! I love it. Such a healthy smoothie and great tips for making lifestyle changes!
Liz DellaCroce
I use spinach a lot too and it would work just as well! But kale just seems so hearty.
Ali | Gimme Some Oven
Mmmm, love me some parsley in a green smoothie, and this one sounds absolutely amazing! Love your tips too, as always! :)
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you friend!! Parsley is key!
Camille @ Challenge Mantra
That smoothie looks so delicious! I like that you point out to plan for the setbacks. So many times, I’ve blown a program because I don’t factor in set backs, or I’ll do EXACTLY what you said and tell myself “I’ll try again tomorrow” instead of acknowledging my slip up and getting back my focus immediately. Thanks for the reminders!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes!! Set backs will always happen so why not incorporate them into the plan?? Thank you!! :)
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats
ooh such a pretty shade of green! After yesterdays indulgences, I could totally use this! I love fresh ginger so so much! This sounds super tasty!
Liz DellaCroce
I know you do! I loved your ginger cocktail the other day!!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living
It’s always a challenge getting back on track and staying on track after the holidays. I’m doing the 30-day squat, plank and sit-up challenge which is helping me keep track of what my goals are. There are definitely days I don’t get around to it, but I’m chugging along. Love how gorgeously green your smoothie is Liz! Pinning!
Liz DellaCroce
Good for you with the exercise challenges Jeanette!! I’ve felt so much happier – mentally and physically – now that I’m back in the gym post-baby. It’s definitely not always easy though.
Tina Muir
You are so right! This is around the time when people start falling off their new plans because they have had a mess up, or a bad day! It is okay! Everyone does! I am an elite athlete, and I still have days that I do not do what i need to do, or waaayyyy over eat, or struggle for a few days! It is completely normal, but what is most important that you start today as a new day, and continue on! It is the only way to change! My setbacks have led to my best performances! Thanks for the inspiring post :)
Liz DellaCroce
Yes exactly!!! I’m so glad you found it inspiring – thank you for reading!
Kim | Just For Clicks
Very smart post… to plan for setbacks. So often we give up and revert to old bad habits after a few “bad” choices. I LOVE smoothies to detox and get back on track. After a week of celebrating… today, I’m getting back on track. Will give this smoothie a try!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you had a great birthday!! Welcome back to the salad. ;-)
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
Hello my full days worth of veggies in a delicious, drinkable form! This smoothie sounds ahmayzing liz!
And I love all your tips…especially on planning and planning for set backs! It’s true, life happens and you need to be able to enjoy those moments because your diet will still be there tomorrow….just as long as you get back on it, that is! :)
Liz DellaCroce
Yes exactly!! Life happens – and it should!! – but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep going towards your goals. :)