May 25, 2012
(last updated April 28, 2014) 
Happy Friday! Here from the perch of my final days off, it’s hard to tell holidays and Fridays from other days, but we do have a long weekend coming up, and I wish you all good weather, some rest, and a lot of time making fabulous food!
Memorial day weekend is thought of as the start of summer, and in keeping with that theme, I’m here to share a scrumptious green smoothie recipe, and to offer you a shot at winning my friend Cory’s new ebook, a collection of 50 fabulous smoothies and juices! Cory Gallant—known throughout the blog world as ZestyCook—is my blog designer and consultant; he’s the person who helps me to make CR look attractive and stay easy to navigate. He’s also great at giving me smart, savvy advice on how to manage my blog and keep it up to date. I’m one of his affiliates, so readers who join by clicking through his icon on my right sidebar get a special deal on his services. If you’re hoping to revamp your blog, or start one for the first time, I highly recommend his services!
Cory’s also a huge lover of fresh, homemade juices and smoothies. His new book, Top 50 Healthy Juice and Smoothie Recipes—isn’t vegan, but all of the smoothies can be easily veganized, and many of them already feature almond or coconut milk. The juices, naturally, are vegan. When Cory first sent me his book, I confess that I thought to myself, “I don’t really need help in the juice and smoothie department!” But Cory quickly proved to me that even juice and smoothie fanatics like me can benefit from some inspired new recipes.
Take his “Pina Colada” smoothie, for instance, which I tried this morning. Creamy coconut milk, banana, pineapple, and mint come together with fresh spinach. The result is a drink that’s as summery and sweet and generally delicious as it is healthy and green. I instantly fell in love!
Pina Colada Smoothie, © 2012 by ZestyCook (vegan, gluten free, soy free)
Serves 1-2
4-6 oz unsweetened coconut milk
2 cups bunch baby spinach
1 banana
5 sprigs fresh mint
1 cup fresh/frozen pineapple chunks
Place spinach and coconut water in blender and process on high until liquid. Add pineapple,mint, and banana and blend until smooth.
What a perfect treat for warm weather!
Other recipes include such treats as the “jack up the antioxidants” smoothie (rich with banana, dinosaur kale, pomegranate, and blueberries), the “sweet and sassy” (cucumber, lime, kiwi, lemon, spinach, ginger, and apple), and such self-explanatory mixes as “grapes n’ greens,” “mango banana,” “blueberry greens,” and “almond cocoa butter cup.” Yum.
Also included in the e-book is a short primer on blending vs. juicing (Cory’s answer is the same as mine: apples and oranges. Do both!) as well as tips on how to thicken smoothies, make them ahead, and what order to place your ingredients in. Whether you’re a smoothie pro or you’re just starting out, it’s a perfect guide and resource. Plus, Cory’s emphasis is decidedly on green smoothies, so you can rest assured you’ll have plenty to choose from!
A quick tip for veganizing Cory’s recipes:
Whey protein: replace with any vegan protein powder
Greek yogurt: replace with soy yogurt, coconut milk yogurt, or young coconut meat
Skim milk: replace with almond, soy, hemp, flax, oat, or rice milk
And as I said above, many recipes are 100% vegan already.
If you’d like to experience some of Cory’s delicious recipes for yourself, I encourage you to enter tonight’s giveaway! As usual, there are a few different options for entering. Each is worth one entry, and you can choose one or all of them. Just leave me a comment for each entry, please. I’ll announce the winner on Monday!
1. Leave a comment on this post, telling me your favorite smoothie combination.
2. Tweet about this giveaway with the URL of this post pasted into the tweet! https://bit.ly/KoUCht
3. Like Choosing Raw on Facebook
4. Like Zesty on Facebook
5. Follow me on Twitter
6. Follow Zestycook on Twitter
Good luck!
May you sip a green smoothie or two this weekend. I’ll surely do that, and I’ll also be having a lovely dinner with two very special bloggers whom you may know and love tomorrow night. Back here for a recap Sunday!
xo
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Leave a Comment
i like you on facebook!
I follow zesty cook on twitter too!
@KitchenspaceAna
Ana
I also already follow you on twitter Gena!
@KitchenspaceAna
Ana
I like Zesty Cook on facebook too!
Ana
I already like you on facebook!!
Ana
My favorite is coconut milk, frozen banana, frozen pineapple, and half a mango. So rich and yummy.
I liked you on facebook 🙂
Following “ZestyCook” on Twitter
already following you on Twitter!
Liked “Choosing Raw” on FB
We are juicers in our house, and the pina colada recipes looks amazing! I will give it to my son as all of his favorites are in it – bananas, pineapple, spinach and coconut.
It’s nice when something is so good for you and it tastes and looks good too!
Tweeted about the giveaway!
Do I really have to choose only ONE favorite? haha! I love ALL smoothies. I love adding macadamia nuts, coconut, almond milk and maybe some cocoa powder or some cacao nibs stirred in at the end. Yum!
spinach, strawberry, mango with chocolate protein powder! yum
My favorite smoothie is Kristen Suzanne’s Chocolate Cherry-Bomb smoothie. If cherries weren’t so expensive, I’d have this every morning for the rest of my life! 🙂 I hope I win this e-book because I am crazy for smoothies and I’m always looking for new recipes!
Right now, I’m more of a juicer person. My favorite is this combination:
1/2 cucumber
1/2 fennel bulb
2 small green apples
1/2″ ginger
about 2 stems of peppermint leaves
So refreshing!
My favorite smoothie combination is strawberries + blackberries + avocados + rice protein! Add a touch of vanilla, stevia and water to taste and your desired consistency. It is creamy and amazingly delicious!!
Th book sounds awesome, I am a smoothie lover and would love to have it!
Ana
Ps: is the smoothie you posted made with coconut milk or water? The ingredients says milk but the directions water… My son loves pineapple so I am definitely making this recipe for us!
My favorite smoothie recipe: banana, carrot, raspberries, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and greens. I have it almost everyday for breakfast!
I’m following ZestyCook on Twitter (VIA RSS)
(and previous entry should’ve read that I’m following CR..not CF)
I follow CF on Twitter (VIA RSS)
I’m a CR fan on FB
I have been putting banana (or other fruits i desperate need of use) in with plenty of fresh collards from my garden, and a nice heaping serving of Vega shake-n-go. That’s been breakfast all this week!
I “like” you on facebook!
My favorite smoothie is a slightly decadent banana/mocha/peanut butter one, but of course I always throw spinach in there for good measure. Makes it an icky color though!
As well as like you on Facebook!
And I follow you on Twitter, of course.
I tweeted the giveaway!
Yum! The smoothies on the cover look so delicious. I could always use some new juice and smoothie recipes. Enjoy your dinner and happy “summer”!
Followed all & tweeted 🙂
My fav smoothie…berry, banana & pnut btr bliss!
I follow Zesty on twitter – @soulhorse
I follow you on twitter – @soulhorse
I like Zesty on Facebook – Hannah Ralph
I like Choosing Raw on Facebook – Hannah Ralph
my favorite smoothie combination would have to be Kimberly Snyder’s Glowing Green Smoothie – it’s the perfect balance of greens and fruits to start my day feeling energized. 🙂
Frozen bananas, berries, soy milk and something green.
My favourite smoothie combo is apples, feijoa fruit (pineapple guava), and a handful of wild greens!
I follow zesty on twitter.
I follow you on twiter.
I liked Zesty on facebook.
I like you on facebook.
I like zesty on fb
I like you already on fb
I love smoothies…anything with kale,spinach,pineapple,avocado,coconut water,hemp seeds or milk,stevia…or with bananas,berries,chard…anything..
At the moment I love frozen pineapple and cherries with coconut milk and cacao nibs 🙂
I follow Zesty on facebook.
I follow you on twitter.
I retweeted your tweet about the giveaway.
I like zesty on facebook.
I like you on facebook.
Lately I’ve been rocking the dark chocolate almond milk, spinach, frozen cherries, and flaxseed.
Well, I go bananas (pun intended) in making my morning smoothies. I like to jack my smoothies up with so much nutrient dense goodness so I’m covered for the rest of the day just in case my other meals would fall short.
A typical smoothie for me contains: kale, frozen bananas, strawberries, hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, maca, ginger, probiotics, plant enzymes, a dash of Himalayan sea salt, water, and a splash of agave. After the Vitamix does its magic, I bottle it up, stick in a glass straw to go, and enjoy it during my commute. By the time I get to work, the last sip has been enjoyed and I’m ready to plug into the day full-force!
I twitter follow Cory
I twitter follow you
I like Cory on FB
I like you on FB
favorite smoothie combination = mango, vanilla extract, splash of cream, ice, maybe PB or cookie butter added. I am not picky; I will drink anything other than broccoli in smoothies 🙂
Right now that pina colada recipe above is luring me to share some with someone.
I <3 you on fb.
I’ve never met a green smoothie I didn’t like.
But the basic heap of spinach with fist of grapes, tangerine and chia is fulfilling on so many levels, and easy on the wallet.
Hi! I liked you and zesty cook on Facebook! The new recipe book sounds great.
My concoction! GO GREEN!……
Handful spinach (organic)
handful kale (organic)
1oz. wheatgrass (organic)
1 carrot (organic)
1 apple
1 banana
2T yogurt
1/4 c. instant dry milk
1/4 c. spelt grain
1 to 2c water
Blend altogether in vitamix blender, last 5 sec. add Udo’s oil. For a bit of a twist add raw ginger! 🙂
Oh wow!! That Pina Colada smoothie sure does sound yummy!! Great concoction! My favorite smoothie? I have many favorites but my go-to choice is usually Kale, Banana, Blueberries, parsley, water, and ice. Blend away 🙂
I usually add extra stuff depending on what I’m in the mood for: chia seeds, coconut water/meat, spinach, maca, whatever I want.
Great giveaway by the way :)) I did all of the above love xo
My favorite smoothie combination (lately) is spinach, chia, frozen mango, golden raspberries (leftover frozen from last year), and coconut water.
Here’s a new favorite:
6 – 12 Brazil nuts
1 c. Spring water
1 date
1/2 – 1 banana (use more banana and fewer nuts if you’re watching fat or calories)
1 tsp maca
1 tsp shilajit
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
Make the Brazil nut milk by blending nuts, water, and date in Vitamix. No need to strain! Add banana and powders. This smoothie is reminiscent of cappuccino. But so. much. healthier.
I already “liked” your Facebook page!
My favorite smoothie: 3/4 coconut water, 1/2 scoop protein powder, 1 1/2 Tbs cocoa powder, 1/2 Tbs PB2 (peanut butter flour), 1 Tbs each ground flaxseed and chia seeds, 2 kale leaves, 1/2 frozen banana, ice cubes.
I have this daily and it is delish!
My favorite right now is a combination of almond milk, banana, mango, pineapple and spinach!
I love how simple this sounds! Perfect for summer 🙂
I love any smoothie with strawberries in it!
I love combinations of fruits and different flavored juices ! Blueberry and orange juice always works!
Probably a bad spot to leave a ‘general’ comment, but… Thanks for the word on Cory–I’m looking for a blog consultant!
But I’m going away, so not for a while as my blog will be mostly on hiatus. Hope we can ‘talk’ before then.
Sending you love,
Ela
I haven’t been very inventive about smoothies or juices so far…it’s an area I have yet to fully explore. So my favorite is pretty “meh” by an afficionado’s standards. I like almond milk, strawberries, peaches, and a little agave. I haven’t been brave enough to try greens in my smoothies–yet!
I have also Liked and Followed both you and Zesty.
PBJ smoothie: Frozen banana, frozen blueberries, almond milk, and a spoonful of natural peanut butter.
I like zestycook on facebook
I like you on facebook
This is one of my more creative smoothies, the idea came to me when I was on a strict low sugar diet, no fruit! 🙁 But it turned out to be lovely despite my lack of fruit, my measurements are rough, so it might take some playing with to get it right at home
1 1/2 c. water
big spoonful of coconut cream (thick top part in a can of coconut milk)
about an inch of fresh ginger
6 basil leaves
1/4 c. cilantro (more or less depending on taste)
2 c. spinach
1 scoop vega wholefood health optimizer
1/4-1/2 c. unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 an avocado
stevia to taste
I know it sounds a little funky but it was actually quite good! Sooooo smooth and creamy and the basil gives it some sweetness. 🙂
Hi! just curious how the no fruit thing went? Thanks!
We are just starting with juicing. My fave so far is banana, pinapple, mango with coconut water.
I followed zesty cook on twitter!
I already follow you on twitter !
I liked zesty cook on FB!
I liked on you FB!
My favorite smoothie was one I used to get as a teenager – frozen mangoes, raspberry syrup (sugar free!), soy milk, and ice cubes. It was my absolute favorite!
I really love to blend watermellon, blueberries and greens together with some water. Sometimes we may add a little pineapple too. My kids LOVE it and I love that they are having a lot of healthy in one smoothie.
Now I’m off to drink this delicious smoothie! I love anything tropical!
Followed you on twitter
Followed zesty on twitter
Followed zesty on facebook
Followed you on facebook
Tweeted about the comp!
I follow you on facebook. My fave go to smoothie is:
2Tbsp. Raw almond butter
1 c. Almond milk.
1/2 frozen banana
1-2 mednool dates
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Cacao powder
3 ice cubes
1 tsp. Chia seeds
I did the facebook likes/follows!
Kale banana frozen strawberries & pineapple
I liked zesty on facebook
I followed zesty on twitter
I love originals so it would have to be strawberry and banana!
I follow you on facebook
My current favorite smoothie combination is cherries, coconut oil, cacao powder, water, hemp protein, vanilla bean and ashwagandha. I am currently preparing for a juice feast, it would be fantastic to have some new recipes 🙂
I have “liked” both CR and Zesty on Facebook!
I follow you on twityer
i like banana, mango, goji berries & kale! w/ a scoop of vega, most days. YUM! but i could definitely use some new smoothie-spiration 🙂
i tweeted about this- and follow you both on facebook and twitter!
I follow you on Twitter! 🙂
I “like” you on FB. 🙂
Hmm…My favorite smoothie combo is probably a very simple almond milk, frozen banana, cacao, kale (or spinach) blend.
Thanks for the giveaway; this eBook sounds great!
Oops, typed too fast for my own good…my “name” is spelled Vegyogini, not Vegyogni!