Dawn's Fave Green Smoothie Recipe

I've looked high and low for a nutritionist-approved green smoothie recipe that tastes good and is low-glycemic (so it won't raise insulin levels and promote belly-fat like many smoothies can if you're not careful with the ingredients).

I haven't found one I love as much as this basic, healthy green smoothie, so I thought I'd share it with you.  If you have a Vitamix or other high-powered blender, you can throw in everything including the peels on the cucumber, lemon, apple etc. (though not the avocado!). If you have a standard blender I'd recommend peeling them. 

Ingredients:
½ medium apple, cored
1 celery stalk
Approx 2 inches of a medium-sized cucumber
Approx 1 inch of ginger root (to taste)
1/3 of a lemon (to taste)
1/2 of a medium avocado, peeled
1-3 cups of baby spinach or baby greens (kale, chard, etc.)
Approx 1 ½ cup water
Protein powder: collagen, pea or hemp protein**
A handful of ice if desired
 
Blend ingredients together until smooth. Drink immediately after blending. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for about a day, though I'd recommend re-blending before drinking.

Optional additions/substitutions: chia seeds, hemp seeds, freshly ground flax seeds (increase liquid if using these seeds) unsweetened almond milk instead of water, 1 TBSP almond butter, ¾  cup frozen peaches, fresh mint instead of ginger. Please post your ideas below!
 
**Get in touch for protein powder recommendations!

P.S. f you're committed to reclaiming health and vitality in 2016, consider Real-Food Detox, beginning Feb. 2 in San Ramon. :-)

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