Vanilla Scented Green Smoothie (Printable Version)

A creamy green blend with vanilla and vibrant ingredients for a refreshing winter boost.

# Ingredient List:

01 - 2 cups fresh packed spinach

02 - 1 ripe banana

03 - 1 green apple, cored and chopped

04 - 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks

05 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled

06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

07 - Juice of 1 lemon

08 - 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

09 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

10 - 1 tablespoon chia seeds

11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)

01 - Place spinach, banana, green apple, pineapple, ginger, turmeric, lemon juice, almond milk, and vanilla extract into a high-speed blender.

02 - Blend on high speed until completely smooth and creamy, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.

03 - Taste the mixture and add honey or maple syrup if additional sweetness is desired, then blend briefly to incorporate.

04 - If the smoothie is too thick, add a small amount of almond milk and blend again to achieve desired texture.

05 - Pour into glasses, sprinkle with chia seeds if using, and serve immediately.

01 -

It tastes like dessert but actually makes you feel energized instead of sluggish—the vanilla and pineapple are the secret conspirators here
You can make it in under ten minutes, which means there's no excuse to skip it even on your busiest mornings
Your body actually thanks you afterward; the ginger and turmeric are real immune warriors, not just hype

02 -

The order you load ingredients into the blender actually matters more than you'd think—this arrangement prevents the liquid from just spinning the whole mixture around without actually breaking everything down
Never use pre-made lemon juice; the difference between bottled and fresh is the difference between a good smoothie and one that tastes genuinely special
If your smoothie tastes too bitter or vegetal, it's almost always because your spinach is old or your ginger is too much—fresh spinach and confident but measured ginger are both essential

03 -

Prep your frozen fruit the night before by measuring out portions—this turns a morning task into something you've already conquered, and you're more likely to actually make the smoothie when everything is ready
Keep your lemon and ginger at room temperature; cold produce fights your blender and requires longer blending time that can warm everything up and affect the final texture