To see an interview and delicious dragon fruit green smoothie demonstration with Anand on Aussie TV click here

Here are three of our favourite green smoothie recipes. Green smoothies are very easy to make. Even if your talents don’t normally extend to the kitchen, you’ll find it easy to impress yourself and friends with these delicious recipes. To read more green smoothie recipes join the challenge and a recipe will be sent to you along with inspiration and nutritional tips everyday. So get your blenders and tastebuds ready for some great green smoothie treats.

Banana for Beginners

The most simple recipe is made with banana and romaine (cos) lettuce. In fact many people love this smoothie so much that they drink it every day of the green smoothie challenge.

Bananas and romaine lettuce are packed with great nutritional properties. Bananas give an instant and substantial boost of energy. Many people suffering from depression feel much better after eating a banana. Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. Bananas are high in potassium and low in salt, a great combination to help to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, a fact supported by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The vitamin C and beta-carotene content of romain (cos) lettuce make it a heart-healthy green. Cholesterol becomes sticky when it oxidizes and forms plaque on the artery walls. Working together, Vitamin C and beta-carotene prevent cholesterol from oxidizing. In addition, the fiber in Romaine lettuce binds to bile salts in the colon and allows them to be eliminated. The body responds by making more bile. As bile is responsible for breaking down cholesterol the result is a reduction of cholesterol build up.

1. 1/2 Romaine (Cos) lettuce
2. 3 bananas
3. 2 cups water

Blend the bananas with water for 30 seconds. Add the Romaine lettuce and blend until smooth. You can add a few mint leaves for an unusual twist.

Berry Blast

In this recipe berries bring a sweet fragrance with a subtle tart overtone and make this low GI treat a real winner. Research is suggesting that raspberries have the potential to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and tumor formation. Raspberries contain ellagic acid, an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and prevents damage to cell membranes. Whilst fresh berries are best, freezing does not destroy their anti-oxidant activity and is sometimes more convenient. Berries are also heart-healthy foods. In a Finnish study, subjects who ate two serves of berries a day were found to have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol.

Spinach has been found to have thirteen different flavonoid compounds with anti-cancer properties. Spinach has been shown to slow down the growth of cancer cells in the stomach and the prostrate and to be inversely related to the incidence of breast cancer. Spinach has also been shown to protect against osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer and arthritis.

1. 1 cup raspberries
2. 1 cup blueberries
3. 1 apple
4. 3 big handfuls of baby spinach
5. 2 cups of water

Blend together the apples, raspberries, blueberries and water for 30 seconds. Add the baby spinach and blend until smooth.

Warming Ginger

The combination of pineapple, mango and ginger in this smoothie gives it an Asian twist. If you are in a cold climate then don’t let this stop you from drinking green smoothies. Ginger is warming on a cold day and also helpful during colds and flus to help you sweat and promote detoxification. Ginger also eliminates intestinal gas, relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract and is anti-inflammatory. In herbal remedies, ginger is used to alleviate nausea, dizziness and vomiting. To benefit from ginger you only need to use a little, as the active substances in ginger are so concentrated.

Pineapple is an excellent source of manganese, which is an important mineral in energy production. Pineapple is often recommended to promote good digestion.

1. ½ head romaine lettuce
2. 1 cup pineapple
3. 1 large mango
4. 1-inch fresh ginger

Blend the pineapple, mango, ginger and water for 30 seconds. Add the romaine lettuce and blend until smooth.

More recipes and inspiration

For more green smoothie recipes, inspiration and education we highly recommend Victoria Boutenko's books "Green Smoothie Revolution" (with 200 green smoothie recipes) and her classic "Green For Life" Available in North America at www.rawfamily.com or in Australia at www.rawpower.com.au