Berry Green Smoothie + Tips for Creating an Exercise Routine

I received coupons from Driscoll’s Berries to purchase berries and develop a snack recipe for my readers. All opinions are my own.

Wake up to this delicious, nutritious Berry Green Smoothie! Plus, get my easy tips for creating a consistent exercise routine.

It’s the first Monday of February, and that means it’s time for another edition of my monthly series, Motivation Monday!

For me, healthy living is all about motivation. It’s about finding the motivation to cook instead of order takeout, go for a walk, or skip a second helping. Each Motivation Monday features easy tips and a healthy recipe.

Last month, my focus was on healthy snacking, and I actually did pretty well with this. For February, my goal is to establish a consistent exercise routine (see my tips below).

Plus, I’m sharing a delicious Berry Green Smoothie recipe that’s the perfect snack or addition to your healthy breakfast!

Over the past year, I’ve gone from exercising 5-6 days a week to practically zero days, and I want to get back on track. I’ve had my reasons (weather, shoulder problems, etc.), but I need to stop making excuses. So, I’ve set a goal to exercise 4 days a week this month.

I live a couple blocks from Central Park, so barring another Polar Vortex, I’ll walk/jog a couple days a week, and on the other days, I’ll do some yoga or cardio. If I come into a few extra dollars, I’d love to try SoulCycle (that ish is expensive), too!

Are you in the same boat as me? Use these tips to develop your own exercise routine:

• Schedule exercise dates. In the past, when I’ve written my workout dates/times in a planner, it made all the difference!
• Mix it up. Exercise is more fun if you’re not doing the same boring routine every day. I enjoy a combination of walking, jogging, yoga, pilates, and cardio, and jump at the chance to try new things, too.
• Pair up with a friend. It’s so much harder to skip a day when you know someone else is counting on you. If you’re in New York, I’d love a workout buddy (hint, hint)!
• Don’t think about it, just do it. Set out your exercise clothes the night before. Put them on as soon as you wake up or get home from work. Don’t turn on the TV. Don’t eat a snack. Spend as little time thinking about it as possible, and just get out there and exercise!

My exercise mantra for February!

After exercising, I like to reward myself with a healthy snack! So I was excited when I was contacted by Driscoll’s to develop a snack for my readers! I decided to create a green smoothie.

Berry Green Smoothie Recipe

Green smoothies are everywhere these days, but I have to admit that I’ve been a little hesitant to jump on the bandwagon. I think it is the close resemblance to pureed grass!

I shouldn’t have worried. After I blended up the berries, tea, and spinach for this vegan smoothie, I couldn’t taste anything grassy at all (I promise).

As a matter of fact, it was downright delicious. My husband also loved this Berry Green Smoothie, and I think you will, too!

I hope you’ll give this easy dairy free smoothie recipe a try. It is so yummy.

And not only is my Berry Green Smoothie recipe tasty, it’s also full of nutrients, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and lots of other good stuff.

Read more about the health benefits of berries, spinach, and green tea, then blend up your own Berry Green Smoothie!

5 from 1 vote

Print

Berry Green Smoothie

Prep Time

10 mins

Total Time

10 mins

 

Blend up this delicious Berry Green Smoothie in minutes ... it makes a nutritious snack or breakfast!

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Servings: 1 to 2 people

Calories: 212 kcal

Author: Ginnie

Ingredients

• 1/2 medium banana
• 1 1/2 cups mixed berries (I used blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries.)
• 1 bag green tea (flavored or plain)
• 2 cups spinach
• 1/2 medium pear, cut into large pieces

Instructions

1. Cover a cookie sheet with foil. Peel the banana, slice it into rounds, and place the slices on the cookie sheet.
   

2. Add berries to cookie sheet, cutting large berries (such as strawberries) into halves or quarters.
   

3. Make sure everything is in a single layer so it doesn't stick together later, then place cookie sheet in freezer and let sit until fruit is frozen, about 2 hours.

4. Meanwhile, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Pour water into a large mug and add the tea bag. Let steep for 3 - 5 minutes and then remove tea bag. Allow tea to cool to room temperature and set aside.

5. To make smoothie, add frozen fruit to a blender. Cover with spinach, then add pear. Pour cooled tea over everything and blend until smooth, stopping blender to stir as needed.

6. Serve smoothie immediately. Enjoy!
   

Customize Your Berry Green Smoothie

Once you learn how to prepare this vegan smoothie recipe, you can experiment and customize it to your taste:

• Use any mixture of berries that you like (or just use a single berry).
• Replace the berries with another fruit, such as apples, citrus, or pomegranate seeds.
• Add a tablespoon of almond butter for extra protein.
• Sweeten the smoothie by adding a chopped Medjool date, a little honey or maple syrup, or a touch of your favorite sweetener.
• Replace the tea with milk (regular, almond, soy, etc.), juice, yogurt, or coconut water.
• Spice things up by adding a little fresh ginger or a pinch of cinnamon.
• Supercharge your smoothie with 1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flaxseed.
• Experiment with other greens, such as kale, collards, or Swiss chard.

By the way, if you liked this recipe, make sure to check out my Strawberry Banana Green Smoothie and Raspberry Chocoholic Smoothie recipes, too!

Loved this Motivation Monday post?

If you enjoyed these easy tips for eating and living healthier, make sure to check out all of my Motivation Monday posts!

• Spicy Chili Pepper Edamame + Healthy Snack Ideas
• Easy Asian Dumpling Soup + Tips for Getting Better Sleep
• Mango Yogurt Breakfast Parfait + Revisiting Goals
• Picnic Recipes + Enjoying the Outdoors
• Greek Quinoa Salad + Tips for Losing Weight
• Chinese Chopped Salad + Tips for Getting Back on Track

What is motivating you this month?

P.S. Don’t miss my roundup of healthy snack ideas (including my Spicy Chili Pepper Edamame), too!