For breakfast on the go, a fruit smoothie in the morning is a healthy alternative.
Lately, I’ve been looking for a healthier, more satisfying breakfast option to start my day. During the week, my day begins around 5 am when most people are still counting sheep. I was looking for something I could make at work that was quick, easy and not heavy.
I love pancakes and eggs, but at 5 am, I need something that can get me energized!. Here’s how I incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my day…
Enter the NINJA Blender
The perfect solution arrived this summer one Monday morning when I noticed a shiny new Ninja NJ600 Pro Blender in my company’s kitchen. I had heard some good reviews about the NINJA from my wellness coach, and she said that she had been making super smoothies with her NINJA by incorporating tons of her favorite fruits and veggies.
The Ninja NJ600 Pro Blender is not your ordinary blender it’s got six massive blades running from the top to the bottom of the blender, a culinary katana of sorts. These blades allow any fruit or vegetable to be pulverized in seconds with no problem.
The blender has multiple speed settings in case you have more fibrous or frozen ingredients that need a good chopping. The only major difference between more conventional mixers is that you don’t get that beautiful vortex effect at the bottom, giving you a creamier textured smoothie, like at Jamba Juice.
I also noticed that the NINJA wasn’t able to break down the vegetable ingredients into more fine particles. However the NINJA does get the job done with little struggle to break down even the most resistant of ingredients, and the smoothies are still delicious!
Antioxidants
I chose raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries for an antioxidant-packed drink. The green tea not only gives me energy, but it also contains catechins, a free radical scavenger. Spinach also contains numerous flavonoid compounds that function as a team of cancer-fighting antioxidants.
The antioxidants found in plants help to prevent or slow the damage by free radicals, the molecules that cause aging and some diseases. Nothing better than protecting healthy cells in a delicious way!
Nutrients and fiber
Banana does not only give a beautiful creaminess to this smoothie but, more importantly, fiber and potassium are found naturally in bananas. The berries and vegetables have soluble and insoluble fibers to aid in healthy digestion. The berries contain phytonutrients that provide potassium, folate, and vitamin C.
Spinach and kale are very nutrient-dense, containing vitamin A, K, C, folate, calcium, magnesium, and iron. There are many other nutrient benefits contained in these fruits and vegetables, but these are just a few that I wanted to highlight.
Rehydration
I like to add coconut water instead of fruit juice because it’s lower in calories and provides great replenishing and hydration benefits. Coconut water contains vital electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, and phosphorus. You can easily become dehydrated after hours of sleep, so incorporating some electrolyte-rich food into your day will give you the replenishment your body needs.
Tips:
- Thickness: I like thicker smoothies, so this recipe can almost be eaten like frozen yogurt. You can add more liquid to thin it out if you want something more drinkable. If you forget to freeze your berries, add some ice to the smoothie, and you will get a similar texture and chill, but frozen berries will give you the best texture.
- More fruit ideas: Apples, pears, oranges, pineapples, cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, the possibilities are endless! Just choose your favorite combinations and experiment!
- More vegetable ideas: Cucumber, carrots, maybe even beets for added energy!
- Toppers: Flaxseed, granola, high fiber cereal, bananas, berries are all great ways to add some extra flavor to your smoothie!
- Protein: If you’re looking for a protein boost, try some whey of vegetable protein to your smoothie.
- Dairy: If you want some dairy or more creaminess to your smoothie, try substituting some of the coconut water or green tea for yogurt (Greek or Dannon drinkable yogurt are my favorites). Almond and rice milk are also great additions to the smoothie!
- Color: Depending on the types of fruit you choose, don’t be surprised if your smoothie may give a more brown color. You can always add more berries to adjust. If you want more of a green smoothie, add more neutral-colored fruits like pineapple, apples or pears.
I would love to hear your favorite combinations!
My other favorite blender for numerous culinary applications is the Vitamix 1723 Professional Series 200, Onyx which gives you variable speed options so you can better control the blending. This blender provides the creamiest product.
Sunrise Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup kale
- 1 cup spinach
- ½ cup frozen mixed berries, (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, etc.)
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- ½ cup coconut water
- ½ cup green tea, freshly brewed and chilled
- sweetener, If desired; honey, agave, stevia
Instructions
- Add the spinach and kale into the blender.
- Add the ½ cup of coconut water and ½ cup of green tea. Blend until the mixture is bright green and only smaller particles are visible.
- Add the berries to the pureed vegetables and blend until you get the desired consistency.
- The smoothie will be as sweet as your berries, so if you like a sweeter drink, you can add some natural sweeteners such as a touch of honey, agave or stevia. If you’re a little hesitant about how spinach or kale may taste, you can adjust the amounts you to your liking, but I promise that you can barely taste the vegetables!
Equipment
Notes
- Recipe Yield: 24 ounces
- I like to buy all of my fruits and veggies and portion them at home so I can quickly grab what I need to make one smoothie each morning. I measure out all of the berries and one banana into a resealable bag and freeze the ingredients overnight. I also portion out the kale and spinach into one bag and store them in the refrigerator (you can freeze these as well in one bag with the fruit).
- I usually brew some tea in the morning and cool it down with some ice cubes, so I can use it in the smoothie that day, and any extra I keep in the refrigerator for the next day.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Sophia Sweeney says
Hello!
This looks delicious! How would you turn this into a smoothie bowl?
Thank you so much!
Skip says
Do you have a recipe for frozen coffee yogurt?
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Skip- I do not have a recipe for frozen coffee yogurt at this time. Sounds tasty!
Terry walden says
Thank you, life saver
Richard Brodbeck says
On the printer friendly version of the recipe the calories are listed as 32kcal (3,200 calories)!! Ouch.
The online version has 32 calories, much more reasonable number for the ingredients in this recipe which makes 24 total ounces to create 4 (6oz) servings. I am assuming 32oz per 6oz serving.
Dan Schonthaler says
This exactly what I have been looking for!! I am 57 and need professional help with food selections that are all natural – but great tasting – just like this. I am so excited. Thank you Jessica Gavin. You are a blessing.
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Dan! Thank you so much for the kind message, you made my day 🙂 I’m looking forward to sharing more healthy recipes with you. I have many wholesome smoothies that I think you will enjoy!
CakeSpy says
Oh dudette, this looks absolutely perfect. I have to try this for breakfast!
Jessica Gavin says
Thank you CakeSpy! It’s definitely my go to beverage when I need to replenish those electrolytes 🙂
SHarnz says
Hi.i have a ninja pro I had the same problem breaking down the veges as Shown also I have found OUt recently KAle .should be.cooked for.a few minutes first FOr PEOPLE.With thyroid problems as I have..
Sydney Hoffman says
Hi, this is Sydney. I’m looking into the idea of making delicious energy drinks and smoothie recipes that fills your stomach up. My blender is Osterizer and I don’t want to buy Ninja and other more expensive blenders yet. Can you please email me a few recipes? I’d appreciate it! Thank you! Sydney.
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Sydney! I made a new smoothie recipe earlier this year, https://www.jessicagavin.com/test-kitchen/breakfast/super-healthy-fruit-smoothie/. You can always modify the base of the sunrise smoothie, just make sure to keep some greens like spinach and kale to give you some fiber to help make you feel full. Also, you can add some protein powder like milk or soy, that always helps me feel more full after drinking my smoothie, especially if it’s a meal replacement. Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what you like, good luck!
Cassie says
just wondering if you have any tips about how to get the smoothie creamier. I just got a ninja and the green smoothie I made was disgusting, the kale I added was in chunks and I had to chew it. I used the recipe I always do, but I am used to the magic bullet. I never thought that the ninka wouldn’t blend as well as a magic bullet… your recipe has greens but in the picture it doesn’t look like there are kale chunks. Is there a certain order to add ingredients, etc.? Thanks!
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Cassie- I usually blend the greens first with some of the liquid to help break down the more fibrous material, before I add the fruit. I have also been using baby kale which is a little more delicate and may break down easier. I have defintiely noticed with the nimja blender that I will still have a little bit of green particulates in the drink. I think it’s because you can never really acheived the “whirl” that you get from other blenders with the finer blades at the bottom, which helps with the creaminess and breaking down all of the ingredients. The ninja is amazing for breaking down ice and frozen berries in an instant, but not for extremely smooth beverages with no particulates like the bullet or vitamix. This may be more work, but maybe you can process the greens with some liquid in the bullet first so it gets really fine, then add that to the ninja with the other ingredients.
Ramon says
My Ninja came with a single serving accessory. It’s a small container with a traditional blade that screws into it like a lid. With this accessory, smoothies come out as smooth as with a Vitamix. I never use the regular six blade mixer anymore.
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Ramon- Thanks for the tip! I think a lot of people have challenges with the blender breaking down all of the veggies and getting really smooth results, so that’s great there is smaller container option!
michelle says
I just bought the ninja and had my first smoothie today. I added fresh kale/spinach to frozen berries, fresh banana and Greek yogurt.
The ninja i bought has 1500 watts and it pulverized everything in seconds. My boys hate to eat vegetables and they gave it the thumbs up. You can not taste the vegetables.
Jessica Gavin says
That is so great to hear Michelle! It is difficult for anyone to get all of their fruits and vegetables in for the day, and a smoothie is an easy way to deliver nutrition! I’m so glad you found a recipe your boys like and a blender that works well!
bob says
thanks – just got the ninja and looking forward to using all of these ideas – thanks 🙂
joe says
How much would one of these cost to make?
Ninjato says
You have up’d the game in the smoothie world. Thanks for the tips – so many ingredients though – will have to be targeted shopping! Also, gave me an idea on how to save my fruit which is always going bad!!
Questions:
– Swapping almond milk for coconut milk – still a re-hydrater or no?
– Any thoughts on almonds/cashews for protein versus powder? tips on this?
Thanks!
Jessica says
Great questions Ninjato!
Water is always the best option for hydration. Since water is the major component in both coconut water and almond milk, you will get the fluids you need with added nutritional benefits! Just remember to also keep drinking water throughout the day!
When comparing protein powders versus whole nuts, powders tend to be higher in protein content because they have been processed to concentrate the protein levels from their original source. Protein powders typically have a neutral flavor, making it easy to incorporate into beverages. As you add more powder, your drink will become thicker in consistency and you may begin to get an aftertaste. The best way is to start with the suggested serving size and go from there.
Whole nuts are also good sources of natural protein, however will not necessarily be a one to one replacement for protein powders. If you would like to incorporate more protein to your smoothie, why not try adding some natural almond or cashew butter for protein, nutrients and creaminess?
Better yet, how about making your own almond milk and save the almond meal for extra protein and thickness, or use in other recipes?
I think you have inspired a new post, thanks Ninjato!