Hello all! Here is by far one of the most popular, repeated, and delicious recipes on Naptime Kitchen. This smoothie was 100% inspired by my mom. She gave me the original recipe and method! Really, I think it’s more the METHOD than anything that makes this baby such a hit. Let’s chat all about The Daily Green (TDG)!
Unlike most smoothie recipes, which require daily blending and getting out all of the fruits and veggies each time, TDG requires one day of prep to make anywhere from 3 to 6 quart sized bags (depending on if I buy double of each of the ingredients; I suggest doing this if you have the freezer space). And then, each bag makes 4-5 smoothies! Now, I am no mathematician, but that’s 15 to 30 smoothies prepped in just one sitting!
I know this can sound confusing, but stick with me. The reason I do that is because most everything I buy is easily divided between 3-6 bags and then nothing goes to waste. For instance, I buy a pack of 6 Persian cucumbers from Trader Joe’s and dice 2 per bag. Same goes for the celery. I just divide it between the 3 bags.
**I have a saved story on my instagram page that goes step by step into how I prep the bags and make the smoothie!
*This recipe was created to be blended in a 64 ounce blender like a vitamix to get the optimum taste and the smoothest consistency. However, many have made the smoothie with other blenders and still loved it! I think the desire for the smoothie to be silky smooth is so it is still enjoyable three days later with no grit or chunky bits in it.
If you do not have a blender of that size, I would get the same ingredients below, but split it between 4 bags instead of 3, or even 5 bags if you need it even smaller!
You can totally substitute anything you like! Hate mango? Try pineapple or apple. Loathe cilantro, leave it out! Same goes for the coconut water.
THIS RECIPE WAS MADE TO BE VERY FLEXIBLE! USE WHAT YOU HAVE AND DON’T STRESS ABOUT EXACT MEASUREMENTS!
When it comes time to blend your smoothie:
The smoothie will have the consistency of a juice, but I still call it a smoothie because all the meat of the fruits and veggies is intact, unlike a classic juice where the pulp is discarded.
A FEW FUN FACTS:
You can do one of two things for this. Follow the recipe above and simple divide it between smaller bags; you will likely get twice as many bags. Half the lemon juice, lime juice and coconut water.
Or…here are two other options submitted by amazing NTK followers. First one is from Brady, who makes hers in a Vitamix but doesn’t do a large batch. This is for one large serving for one or a smaller serving for two.
This comes from Kate, who makes her in a nutri-bullet. Kate writes:
I make the premade quart-sized freezer bags as you suggested, usually three at a time. I make sure the more solid ingredients are split in the bag with a bunch of the cilantro or parsley.
When it comes time to make these I use the largest nutribullet canister. I put half of the premade mix in with as much spinach or kale I can scrunch in on top of it. I squeeze half of a lemon and half of a lime in this and fill to the max fill line with coconut water. Blend for 1 minute. Pour into large Rubbermaid drink canister.
THEN I do it again, only this time with no lemon or lime. After I’ve poured the second blended bit into the Tupperware I add the rest of the coconut water from the container and shake that bad boy up. Lasts my husband and I a week sometimes.
Alright everyone! I hope this was thorough and helpful. Again, it’s more about the method than anything that makes this recipe so popular. You get a fresh green smoothie daily without hauling out your blender and all the ingredients! I hope you give this smoothie and method a try.
Make it your own and enjoy!
1 long english cucumber or 2 shorter regular sized cucumbers
1 celery bunch
1 16 oz. bag frozen mango
2 bananas
1 bunch of parsley (approx. 12 stems) parsley
1 bunch (approx. 12 stems) cilantro
1 tbs lemon juice
1 tbs lime juice
1 (16 oz.) bag frozen chopped spinach
Optional: 2 cups coconut water
Mom to four wonderful little people. While they sleep, I cook.