Grow Fresh Herbs In Your Kitchen All Year Long
I always add fresh greens to my smoothies, I absolutely love the taste! We got this great 6-Pod Aerogarden which is fantastic for growing greens and herbs in the winter. We actually got it when we lived in a smaller apartment, but even now that we own an acreage we still use it year-round! I love growing herbs on my countertop like fresh parsley, basil, dill, mint, sage, thyme, and lemon balm.
It uses LED lights and water, so no messy soil needed you can have fresh herbs at your fingertips any time. I love picking a few springs of parsley to chop on pastas, adding basil leaves to soups, and tossing some dill in with my pasta salads. This Aerogarden is a great gift for anyone who would like fresh herbs no big kitchen or green thumb required!
How Many Calories Are In A Detox Island Green Smoothie
The number of calories in a detox island green smoothie can vary based on your chosen ingredients. Still, its consistently lower than the calorie count for its main ingredient, fruit.For example, if you make a detox island green smoothie with just one banana and one cup of spinach, youll get about 60 calories per serving. If you add one tablespoon of peanut butter, that amount jumps to about 80 calories per serving. And if you add half an avocado or some cashew butter to your fruit smoothie, the calories increase even moreup to almost 100 per smoothie!Remember that these numbers are general guidelinesnot exact figuresand they should be used as a starting point when calculating how many calories to consume in a day.
The Best Tropical Island Green Smoothie
Don’t let the green color scare you away. This Island Green Smoothie doesn’t taste green at all! A blend of fresh tropical fruit, almond milk, coconut water, banana, and protein powder hides the flavor of the leafy greens, resulting in a healthy green smoothie with delicious tropical flavor.
When it comes to smoothies, the ingredient possibilities are literally endless. This island green smoothie recipe showcases baby spinach, pineapple coconut water, avocado, mango, banana, and whey protein powder, and it is DELICIOUS! Not to mention, the added protein adds an extra muscle-building boost.
I’ve tested dozens of delicious smoothie formulas, but this island green smoothie is absolutely my favorite smoothie. It’s the perfect way to sneak more greens into your diet without tasting said greens. The variety of tropical fruits disguises this green recipe as a protein and dietary fiber-rich snack or quick meal for the kiddos!
While you’re here, don’t miss out on these other green smoothie recipes: chocolate cherry green smoothie and tropical blueberry kale smoothie, but first – let’s give this tropical island green smoothie a whirl!
Recommended Reading: Best Protein Powder To Put In Smoothies
Why Youll Love This Island Green Smoothie Recipe:
- Healthy: This recipe is nothing but fruit and greens, making it a super healthy option.
- Quick: It wont take you more than 5 minutes to make this drink, so you can throw it together even when youre short on time.
- Delicious: This tropical green smoothie is so fruity, refreshing, and delicious! Youll absolutely love the taste.
Trademark Note: In the spirit of transparency, I want to note that this is a copycat recipe for an existing product. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a proprietary brand that I want to acknowledge and give credit to.
What You Need To Make This Healthy Island Green Tropical Smoothie
- Banana: I always love frozen bananas in my smoothie! I know that diet culture tells us to avoid bananas, but what gives? They are full of potassium and provide a ton of energy from natural sugar!
- Spinach: I always love fresh spinach for smoothies.
- Frozen mango: Dont skip the mango, its what gives this smoothie the tropical vibe! Pick up a bag from the frozen section at your grocery store.
- Collagen : I am always looking for ways to sneak more protein into my smoothies/diet, and if I am seeking something unflavored, then I opt for plain collagen. It packs a big nutritional punch, and will keep you full for hours.
- Tahini: Tahini is my favorite ingredient in life, so of course I had to include it in this smoothie. Dont have it or dont like it? Skip it!
- Almond butter: Almond butter and tahini go wonderful together, and both provide those healthy fats!
- Cinnamon: A little cinnamon adds the best flavor, so dont skip it!
- Almond milk: I go with almond milk because its always what I have on hand, but any non-dairy milk of choice will do!
Don’t Miss: Healthy Weight Loss Smoothies With Spinach
More Green Smoothie Recipes
If you love this green smoothie recipe, try any of these healthy smoothies next:
- Cucumber pineapple smoothie: tart-sweet, creamy, and refreshing. This pineapple cucumber smoothie is another green smoothie with a tropical vibe.
- Apple spinach smoothie: looking for a perfectly balanced green smoothie? This is it! Slightly sweet, slightly tart, slightly creamy vibrant, and great for any time of the day.
- Kale kiwi smoothie: kale can sometimes be overpowering in smoothies, but this smoothie is different. While its packed with dark leafy greens, it tastes fruity, slightly sweet, and perfectly tart. Its a great morning pick-me-up.
- Zucchini smoothie: it seems like almost all creamy smoothies out there contain a banana, right? Well, not this one! Thanks to an avocado and frozen zucchini, this green zucchini smoothie is creamy without any banana.
If youd like to learn more about smoothies how to make a custom smoothie, how to fix a not-so-good smoothie, how to build a better smoothie, etc. you can refer to this smoothie guide.
If you try any of these recipes, please, leave a comment and rate the recipe below. It always means a lot when you do.
How To Make Island Green Smoothies From Tropical Smoothie
Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
Whats in the island green smoothie?
The ingredients list here is so simple. Its made with frozen banana slices, pineapple and mango chunks, greens , and coconut water.
Do I have to use frozen fruit for smoothies?
I highly recommend using frozen fruit for your smoothie. It creates the perfect thick and icy consistency. Its just not quite the same with fresh fruits.
Are island green smoothies healthy?
Yes, this green smoothie recipe is definitely healthy! Theres nothing added to it besides fruit, greens, and coconut water, so you know its nutritious. This is one of the reasons I love making smoothies at home, because I know exactly whats in them. No added sugars or surprise ingredients.
Also Check: How Much Yogurt In A Smoothie
Whats In Detox Island Green Smoothie
Heres everything that goes into this Tropical Smoothie dupe, plus all the benefits of each ingredient!
- Frozen banana: frozen banana gives this smoothie an extra creamy, smooth consistency. It also makes the smoothie ice cold. Furthermore, bananas have so many health benefits but just to name a few, they contain: fiber, potassium, folate, and antioxidants!
- Mango: Mangoes are a good source of fiber and antioxidants, including vitamin C, which means they support your immune system!
- Pineapple: pineapple is low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals. Pineapple also contains a ton of vitamin C and can aid digestion!
- Spinach: Spinach has calcium, manganese, and vitamin K, which are important for healthy bones. It is also an excellent source of iron.
- Kale: By now, we all know that kale is one of the most popular superfoods since it contains tons of nutrients like fiber, vitamin K, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Ginger: Ginger has been used in medicine for thousands of years for its anti-inflammatory properties, to help aid digestion, reduce nausea, and fight cold and flu.
More Tropical Smoothie Recipes
If you love tropical smoothies, give one of these recipes a whirl for that taste of summer flavor.
For some reason, this Strawberry Banana Smoothie always makes me think of summer. However, this Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie puts a delicious dessert-like spin on it.
This Papaya Coconut Smoothie by my friend Aline brings in some fun fruits you might not normally think about for smoothies.
Maxed out with summer berries, this Blueberry Greek Yogurt Smoothie is a favorite around my house.
Filled with tropical flavor, my friend Susannahs Mango Pineapple Smoothie packs a tropical fruit punch.
If you loved this recipe, Id love to know!
Please leave a rating and review below – Id love to hear how it went.
Read Also: How To Make A Strawberry Banana Smoothie With Protein Powder
Tropical Island Green Smoothie
A lot of my summer mornings begin with a healthy smoothie. This fresh Island green smoothie happens to be my favorite, and since theyre so quick and easy to prepare, youll often find me enjoying a big tall mug of this for breakfast or on my way to work! This smoothie has easily become a staple at my kitchen table because of how quick it is to rustle up and prepare, and how healthy it is! Its not unusual for me and my hubby to grab a cup of this early in the morning . Hubby, who seems practically immune to brain freezes usually gulps his down in 5 minutes while I tend to savor mine slowly. This tropical green smoothie includes papayas, honeydew melons, pineapples, spinach and a load of coconut water to complete the island theme. If this does not give you the feeling of sitting on an Island beach sipping some local beverage, it will at least keep you healthy enough to make that happen in real life!
While I used coconut water in this recipe, I have sometimes substituted it for almond milk because of how easy it is to prepare homemade and because of the extra creaminess it adds to the smoothie. I also usually add some yogurt or some chia seeds if I want a massive burst of proteins and major nutrient boost without the extra calories.
Contents
- Simply chuck all the ingredients in the blender and blend till smooth.
- Serve immediately with a slice of lime on the side.
Variations And Pro Tips
I like this Island Green Smoothie recipe as written, but here are some ways to adapt the recipe to your taste.
- If you want a banana free smoothie substitute extra mango, pineapple or even papaya.
- I list spinach in the ingredients but you can add any leafy greens to the mix. If you have kale use a little bit of both. Other unique options for greens to add to a smoothie include arugula, swiss chard, or even bok choy.
- I love using a good high speed blender to make my smoothies.
- Add some fresh ginger in this to give this smoothie more detox properties.
- Adding some lime juice or a slice of lime is a fun addition too.
- You can also add other superfood ingredients like chia seed, avocado, collagen, vitamin supplement powder blends or even superfood blends.
- Make it a protein smoothie by adding a scoop of your favorite protein powder.
- Make it creamier by adding a half cup of plain Greek yogurt. That also brings extra protein and probiotics to the smoothie.
Don’t Miss: How To Make A Smoothie With Protein Powder
A Tropical Smoothie Cafe Was Linked To A Hepatitis Outbreak
Unfortunately, it hasnt all been sunshine for Tropical Smoothie Cafe. In 2016, an outbreak of hepatitis A was linked to strawberries used in the restaurants smoothies. The majority of the infections were discovered in Virginia, but people in several other states, including North Carolina, Maryland, and Oregon, also fell ill. More than half of them ended up being hospitalized with a highly contagious liver infection.
The CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe at that time, Mike Rotondo, apologized for the mishap in a YouTube video statement. On August 5, the Virginia Department of Health contacted us about a potential link between hepatitis A cases and frozen strawberries from Egypt, Rotondo said. We voluntarily and immediately removed all of those strawberries from all of our cafes, and we have sourced new strawberries for every location.
Luckily for Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the company seems to have recovered relatively well from this incident, despite the bad press in 2016 .
Fruit Sugar Vs Refined Sugar In Smoothies
While it’s true that refined or processed sugars digest quickly and totally cause those icky blood sugar spikes, the sugar we ingest with fruit is completely different.
Fruit isn’t just full of sugar. With the natural sugar in fruit comes plenty of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, etc., etc., not to mention dietary fiber.
Fiber is our friend.
Dietary fiber helps prevents blood sugar spikes by slowing things down as they move down the line so your body can absorb the nutrients at an even keel. You will stay full for longer and that same dietary fiber will help with keeping you, ahem – regular.
Also Check: Everyday Smoothies For Weight Loss
What Is Tropical Smoothie Plant
Image Source: kroger
A tropical smoothie plant-based meat is a type of meat that is made from plants instead of animals. This type of meat is usually made from a combination of soybeans, grains, and vegetables. Tropical smoothie plant-based meat is a good source of protein and is low in fat and calories.
Whats In Beyond Meat Chicken
Image Source: influenster
Beyond Meat chicken is a plant-based chicken product that is designed to mimic the taste and texture of real chicken. The product is made from a blend of soy, pea, and wheat proteins, and is free from antibiotics and hormones. Beyond Meat chicken can be used in any recipe that calls for chicken, and can be found in the meat aisle of most grocery stores.
Read Also: How To Make A Morning Smoothie
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Offers More Than Just Smoothies
As the name suggests, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is all about the smoothies. Theyre definitely the most plentiful item on the menu there are over 30 options listed on the companys website, and customers will find a wide array of supplements and extras they can add to their smoothies. If youre making a trip to your local Tropical Smoothie Cafe, its probably specifically for the smoothie.
However, this fast-casual chain offers so much more than its signature smoothies. On the food end of the spectrum, the restaurant is probably best known for its flatbreads and wraps. Theyve been on the menu for a while, and there are both chicken and veggie options available. But the quesadillas are popular too, as are the sandwiches, including the Cuban Sandwich and Ultimate Club. The bowls are some of the newer items on the menu, and while some are essentially just salads, others like the Baja Chicken Bowl include rice for a more typical fast-food bowl.
Plus, the breakfast options at Tropical Smoothie Cafe are totally underrated. The All-American Wrap may not be the perfect healthy complement to your fruity smoothie, but if youre being smart with your smoothie choice, you deserve to treat yourself. And those who want something on the lighter side can go for the Southwest Wrap. Basically, the next time you visit a Tropical Smoothie Cafe, you may want to branch out and get something to eat along with your favorite smoothie order.
Creamy Tropical Green Smoothie
For someone that calls themselves the Kale Junkie, youd think there would be more green things happening on my blog. Well, no. I only bring them out when I create something amazing, because life is too short for mediocre food. Today Im sharing my first green smoothie recipe, the Creamy Tropical Green Smoothie, which is that good. So go run to your kitchens, get out your blender, and get blending.
Also Check: Tropical Smoothie Cafe Lawrence Ks
Detox Island Green Smoothie
The Detox Island Green smoothie is totally my go-to order at Tropical Smoothie. I seriously get it every time!
Why? because its healthy, but still tastes like Im treating myself! Did you know this smoothie is one of the only ones on the menu there with no added sugar? The sweetness in this one is all natural. Thats another reason its my favorite!
What Is Detox Island Green Smoothie
A detox island green smoothie is a delicious blend of fruit, vegetables, and herbs to help you feel your best. This drink is ideal for those who want to lose weight, increase energy levels, and reduce stress. Its also great for children and teens looking to get their bodies back into shape.
What makes this drink so great? The main ingredient is kale. Kale has many impressive health benefits that make it one of the most effective weight loss foods out there. It contains high amounts of vitamins A, C and K along with calcium and ironall essential for good health! It also provides many other nutrients, including fiber which helps reduce cholesterol antioxidants which fight free radicals in the body and B vitamins which boost metabolism and improve brain function. Additionally, kale contains phenolic compounds that help protect against cancer as well as decrease inflammation throughout the body .
Other ingredients include apples and coconut water .
Also Check: Wwe Smackdown Smoothie King Center
The Beyond Chicken Tender: A Healthier Option But Not Perfect
Beyond Meats new Beyond Chicken Tender offers a variety of advantages over traditional chicken strips. Aside from being 35% less fat, less cholesterol, and containing the same amount of protein as regular chicken, Beyond Chicken Tender contains fewer fat calories. It also contains zinc and vitamin B12. Some people argue that the Beyond Chicken Tender is not healthy because it contains soy protein isolate and peas. Peas have a high carbohydrate content, which makes them a type of legume. Some people believe that eating a lot of carbohydrates increases their risk of heart disease and stroke. Despite the fact that Beyond Meats new product is healthier than traditional chicken strips, it is not perfect.