Immune Boosting Wellness Smoothie
Listen, I’ve been all over the smoothie map. Sometimes it’s a green sludge (don’t ask) and other times it’s basically a milkshake—my little secret. But this one? Oh, this immune boosting wellness smoothie is just kind of my morning ritual, especially when I’m feeling a little sniffly or the weather turns, or heck, when I just want to pat myself on the back for having a vegetable before noon.
Okay, random aside: does anyone else have that memory where they tried to sneak spinach into their breakfast as a kid and their mom was onto them in five seconds flat? No? Just me. Anyway, let’s get to sipping on something that actually tastes nice and makes you feel like you’re doing something good for yourself—without feeling like you’re chewing on a garden clump. (Though, I do admit, sometimes kale gets the best of me.)
Why I Always Come Back to This (Even When I Mess Up)
I make this when my throat feels scratchy, or after a full-on weekend of, um, less-than-virtuous eating. My youngest will drink this if I call it the “Ninja Turtle Shake” (parenting win), and even my husband stopped sighing when I hand him one—most days, anyway. My old blender used to sputter and splash everywhere but honestly, even if you have to fish out a chunk with a fork, it’s still pretty darn good. (Just…maybe don’t serve that to houseguests unless they really love you.)
What You’ll Need (and How I’ve Swapped Stuff in a Pinch)
- A good handful of fresh spinach—or honestly, frozen works if that’s all you’ve got. My Gran always swore by organic but, look, I grab what’s on sale.
- Half a ripe banana (makes it creamy; sometimes I use mango—tastes even sunnier!)
- 1 cup orange juice (I’ve used apple juice when I ran out, it’s alright. Or you can cheat with half water and half juice if you’re trying to dial back the sugar)
- 1 thumb-sized knob fresh ginger, peeled (I’ve used the jar stuff in a hurry; fresh is better but don’t stress)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (flax works too; I once just tossed in some oats—decent, if not exactly gourmet)
- Half a small apple, cored and chopped (Granny Smith gives it zing, but literally any will do—even that one with a bump on it)
- A squeeze of lemon (lemon from a squirt bottle is fine, but the real deal is zingier)
- Optional: A drizzle of honey if you like it sweet, or a scoop of protein powder if you’re feeling extra healthy. (I sometimes forget both and it’s still tasty)
Let’s Make Some Magic (Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff)
- Chuck the spinach, banana, orange juice, ginger, chia seeds, apple, and lemon (and honey or protein if you’re fancy) into your blender.
- Put the lid on. Seriously, trust me; I once splattered my ceiling an odd shade of green.
- Blend on high until smooth. Or mostly smooth—I’ve had days where there’s a rogue ginger chunk but that’s just part of the journey, right?
- This is where I usually sneak a taste and sometimes squeeze in a little more lemon or honey if it needs a nudge. No shame.
- Pour into your favorite glass (or travel mug because we both know mornings get nutty).
Lil’ Notes From My Many Attempts
- If you’re not a ginger fan (like my neighbor, who claims it tastes like soap), leave it out. Actually, once I left it out by accident—smoothie was still spot on.
- If it’s too thick, splash in some more juice or water. If it’s too thin…well, add a bit more banana. Pretty forgiving, really!
- The color might look a tad odd sometimes (a dodgy shade of green if your banana is too ripe) but just close your eyes and sip; promise it’s tasty.
Variations I’ve Messed Around With
- Add a handful of frozen berries—I did blueberries once, and it turned this absolutely wild shade of purple. The kids loved it. Raspberries, not so much—too seedy for my liking.
- Swapped out spinach for kale. Erm, it’s okay, but unless you’ve got a whopper of a blender, you’ll be chewing for a while.
- One time I tried adding avocado. Not my best move—maybe if you want super creamy, otherwise maybe skip it. Lesson learned (my husband still brings it up…)
What If You Don’t Have a Fancy Blender?
I used to think you had to have a high-speed blender, but actually, a cheap one will usually do the job. Sometimes I chop the apple and ginger extra small, or just let it run a bit longer. Or if all else fails, use an immersion blender right in a big jar. (Watch your fingers though! Don’t ask.)
Keeping It Fresh (If It Ever Lasts That Long)
I’ll be honest—this smoothie is best right after blending, when it’s cold and bright. But sometimes (rarely) I’ve made a double batch and kept it in the fridge. It holds up for a day, maybe two max, but the color might get a little funky. Give it a stir, good as new. Not that it ever lasts more than a day in our flat—between everyone claiming “just one more sip” it’s mostly wishful thinking.
How We Like To Serve It (Or, What Makes Mornings Bearable)
Big tall glasses with silly straws. Sometimes I sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or grated nutmeg on top because my nan said it was “classy” (love her, miss her). Or pour a splash into a popsicle mold in summer—makes for a weird but tasty treat after school.
Little Lessons Learned—Sometimes The Hard Way
- I once tried to skip the peeling for ginger. Don’t. String city. Pain in the neck. Take the time.
- Trying to double the batch in a small blender—sudden realization, not worth the mess. Two rounds is finer than scrubbing green goop off your curtains (ask me how I know).
- Lemon juice at the end is better than at the beginning. Not sure why, just is. Maybe it wakes it up or something?
Some Real Life FAQs (From Friends, Family, And Random Texts)
- Can I make this ahead? Yeah, you definitely can, but I wouldn’t do it more than a day in advance. The flavors are best fresh, and it tends to separate a bit as it sits. Quick shake and you’re golden.
- Do the kids actually like it? Weirdly, yes, most of the time. Sometimes I bribe them with the promise of a silly straw or let them add an extra squeeze of honey (on that note, sometimes I add too much honey and it gets a little too sweet, so careful there).
- What’s the best juice to use? Honestly—whatever’s lurking in your fridge. I like orange, but I’ve subbed in pineapple or even coconut water before; maybe not classic, but it worked. Apple is my backup. If you only have water, just add a smidge more fruit for sweetness.
- Protein powder—yay or nay? Depends. I like a plain, unsweetened one. But I once used vanilla and it was a bit much. Maybe start small and see how you feel?
- Do you really need chia seeds? Not at all. I just like the texture and extra goodness. Sometimes I forget and nobody notices, to be honest.
So there you go! I hope you give this immune boosting wellness smoothie a whirl (or a blend, ha)—there’s plenty of room to make it your own, and if it comes out a little different each time, well, that’s all part of the fun. Happy blending, mate!
Ingredients
- 1 orange, peeled and segmented
- 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon raw honey (optional)
Instructions
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1Add orange, spinach, pineapple, banana, ginger, and chia seeds to a blender.
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2Pour in the almond milk and add honey if using.
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3Blend on high until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
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4Pour into glasses and serve immediately.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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