5 Kale Smoothies You <i>Need</i> to Try

You might like these more than kale chips

Kale is having a moment—and for good reason: The crazy-versatile green is an awesome source of vitamins A, C, and K. What’s more, it’s loaded with fiber and iron, and (no, we’re not done) it’s super-low in calories, too. 

You can use it to make chips, salads, sides , desserts, and—a current favorite—smoothies. Read on for the tastiest-looking kale smoothie recipes we saw on Instagram this week:
 

This smoothie contains 2 cups kale, half a pineapple, 1 cup coconut water, and a garnish of coconut flakes and goji berries. And for the record, we’re loving that pineapple bowl serving idea.
 

Banana helps cut the bitter taste of kale. Combine 1 small one with 1/2 cup frozen kale, 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup skim milk, 2 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce, 1 1/2 tablespoons chia seeds, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 cup crushed ice.
 

If green drinks creep you out, give this recipe a whirl. Fresh raspberries and strawberries help disguise the kale and produce a pretty pink smoothie. Add pineapple, banana, a splash of milk, Greek yogurt, and protein powder to try it.
 

Kale, avocado, pineapple, and ginger make this recipe unique. Top it with hemp seeds for an Insta-worthy crunch.
 

The coolest ingredient in this icy smoothie (besides kale)? Frozen cucumber. To try the recipe, combine 2-3 cups spinach and kale, 1 frozen banana, 1 frozen cucumber, 1 frozen lemon, 1 tablespoon almond butter, 1 scoop vanilla protein, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, and water.

Are you into making smoothies? Tag @WomensHealthMag in your #CinnamonSmoothie Instagram photos for the chance to appear on our site! Check back next Wednesday to see whether your recipe made the cut.

More from Women’s Health:
The Most Delicious Way to Eat Kale
Kale Salad with Cornbread Croutons
4 Amazing Avocado Smoothie Recipes to Try

5 Crazy-Good Cranberry Smoothies

Enjoy them while they’re still in season!

Haven’t thought about eating cranberries since you finished the last of your Thanksgiving leftovers? Big mistake. The tart berries are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and phytonutrients that fend off inflammation and reduce your risk of cancer. What’s more, they happen to make an excellent smoothie ingredient.

Check out the crave-worthy cranberry smoothie recipes we saw on Instagram this week:
 

Women’s Health cover star Heidi Klum isn’t the only one who’s eating up this smoothie, which is made with cranberries, strawberries, lime juice, low-fat cottage cheese, and skim milk. We can’t wait to try it, either!
 

Sweet fruits balance out the tartness of cranberries in this simple recipe, made from apple slices, strawberries, cranberries, and a couple scoops of nonfat plain Greek yogurt.
 

Don’t worry—this Chunky Monkey Cran smoothie only looks like a diet disaster. (Its ingredients are actually pretty healthy!) To try it, combine cranberry juice, unsweetened almond milk, banana, avocado, raw cacao, liquid stevia, and some ice cubes. Then top the smoothie off with banana, cacao nibs, and dried cranberries. Yum!
 

Looks like this pretty purple smoothie contains everything but the kitchen sink! Recreate it with spinach, celery, cucumber, raspberries, pineapple, lemon juice, orange juice, water, and cranberries.
 

Almond milk and sliced almonds give this vegan cranberry smoothie a nutty flavor, while bananas bulks up its consistency.

Are you a smoothie maven? Tag @WomensHealthMag in your #FigSmoothie photos, and we could feature your recipe on our site next week!

More from Women’s Health:
8 Amazing Cranberry Recipes
The Best Damn Cranberry Sauce Ever
10 Yummy Ways to Add More Protein To Your Smoothies

 

5 Beet Smoothies We Want to Drink ASAP

Eating your veggies has never been so tasty

It's hard to miss the memo when a smoothie contains beets: The color pretty much gives it away. Of course, beet smoothies aren't just pretty. The root veggie is an excellent source of folate, and it's also chock full of fiber, iron and other good-for-you nutrients.

So steam some fresh beets (or crack open a can of ready-to-go beets), and plug in your blender to try some of our favorite beet smoothie recipes on Instagram this week:

This meal in a mason jar is made from beets, protein powder, pineapple, almond milk, and OJ. Yum!

 

Q: What do you get when you mix beets and chai tea? A: This totally original beet-based smoothie.

 

Turns out, you don't need a ton of ingredients to make a yummy beet drink. This one is made from beets, banana, coconut water, and...yep, that's all!

 

This beet smoothie is topped with shredded coconut and cacao nibs, so it feels like a treat–even though it's full of healthy stuff like cucumbers, carrots, ginger root, and red grapes.

 

Chances are, you never thought of mixing strawberries and beets. But add coconut water and a natural sweetener such as stevia, and you'll have an addictively tasty combo.

Want to see your Instagram photo featured on WomensHealthMag.com? Tag @WomensHealthMag in your best #avocado #smoothie on Instagram, and check back next Wednesday to see if your recipe made our list!

More from Women's Health:
7 Pomegranate Smoothies You'll Love
5 Must-Try Ginger Smoothies
5 Awesome Citrus Smoothies