I need this in my life. It reminds me of a breakfast green smoothie I lived on while in Mexico. So incredibly refreshing and delicious. I would actually refill my coffee cup and take it to go wherever I went. Lovely green color too!

What a colour :D And pineapple and banana is such a magnificent combination as well, thanks for the heads up >( I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead :) x

Heidi, beautiful post and photography (as always). Could you tell me where you found your lovely glasses? I really enjoy their silhouette and perfectly petite size.

This smoothie sounds so good! I personally think that the tropical fruits - such as banana, pineapple, and mango, make the best smoothies. They make the smoothie extra creamy and delicious. And the tropical fruits go naturally with the suggested coconut milk too.

not to be a sh*t disturber, but I could've sworn you mentioned in an earlier blog post once that pineapple isn't in your repertoire because it's not local to SF? i bring it up only because when I read your comment it had me feeling guilty about enjoying it and feeding it to my kids all of these years.

HS: Hi Charlotte - Was it this Pineapple Coconut Water? In general, I just don't think about buying them often, but there are times when I see or smell one, and it's incredible. Other times I definitely have a craving for that flavor (and maybe nutrients), and they're also such a nice natural sweetener - especially for things like smoothies. When I do buy them I do consider the source though. I've read some pretty terrible stories - intensive ag-chemical application, farm worker conditions, etc.

frozen blueberries and coconut milk go well with kale along with a little banana - if you can find baby lacinato kale, it is so much better and not bitter.

Thrilled you've alerted us all to this little neon gem. Just as you said--I'd have missed it amongst Tara's other show-stoppers.

You said it perfectly when you explained that preparation is the challenge to get smoothies just right. They can be unassumingly complicated as we get eager to throw too many things in at once. So I appreciate the thoughtful simplicity of Tara's recipe. Thanks for sharing it with us Heidi!

I'm curious on your thoughts for "leftover" smoothie. I always run into the problem of making too much smoothie for one person but have not come up with a great way to save the leftovers--I find keeping green smoothies in the fridge overnight results in a change in flavor and texture that is not for the best. Any tips?

variations on a theme - I use plain kefir as the liquid, I also add some ground flax . Spinach or chard, or beet greens, can replace the kale,. If you add a fruit, any fruit, you will not have a ''swampy'' drink. .

I'm gonna argue that the fruit needs to be frozen. It's the only way to get a great consistency. Ice cubes blended in as some might suggest just makes it watery!

Recipe looks wonderful (as always). Will make with my early Mothers Day Vitamix gift to myself. I know they are $$ but the difference so far is remarkable.

I've been green drinking now for the last 30 days, part of a detox. I've learned a lot about greens and drinks....and yes, Kale can make a sludgy and somewhat bitter drink. I make sure I use enough liquid (almond or cashew milk, thin it out with a little bit of water if still too thick), and use a tablespoon of a nut butter to counteract the bitterness. I find experimenting with greens is fun. I like 2 cups of pea shoots, or even a couple of cups of salad greens if I don't have anything else around. I use a protein powder and added fiber(flaxseed), and try to stay away from fruits to keep the high sugar/carbs out. But whatever I use, I feel good all morning, not inclined to snack, and generally a sense of well being.

LOL - love the "swampy" description, which admittedly, mine can sometimes be accused of. I'll be sure to share this with my friends and family who appreciate a more refined smoothie!

I haven't seen this book yet, but this is basically my 'go to' smoothie recipe for a long time. One trick I've found, if you're like me and lack a Vitamix blender, is to blend in stages. Typically I add my almond milk and blend it with a scoop of vanilla protein powder first. Then I'll add my almond butter and 1/2 a frozen banana and blend those well, then my apple (I rarely have pineapple, though I love it) and THEN my greens (kale or spinach). Sometimes I'll add a few leaves of fresh mint if I have it, also. I usually finish by adding a cupful of ice cubes as I like my smoothie icy cold, and finish by blending on high for a further 30 seconds to get things really smooth. I used to just dump everything in and let the machine run, but I found I always ended up with odd lumps and clumps. This method takes the same amount of time, but just seems to come out that much better. Can't wait to get my hands on Tara's book!

One can never have too many smoothie recipes.

This looks like the perfect morning smoothie!

Hi Heidi, This looks great, especially for packing in some greens to start your day. I was wondering what kind of kale you used, as some kales can be pretty potent?

HS: Hi Jeanene - I tend to use a lof of lacinato / dino kale - so that's typically what I use.

"Swampy blender beverage" is exactly how I would describe my last attempt at a green smoothy! Ugh.... This recipe has encouraged me to try again though!

I start most days with a smoothie, and a green one is usually just what is needed to really get me energized! Tara's work is always mouth-watering, and to see your photos of her creation is a special treat all in itself.