The 30 Day Green Smoothie Challenge begins October 1!

I mentioned earlier that green smoothies have been truly life-changing for me. Since I started juicing and blending daily, I’ve noticed some remarkable improvements in my overall health. Despite limited counter space, my Vitamix blender and Hurom juicer have become permanent fixtures in my kitchen. Keeping them at eye level has made a huge difference — they stay top of mind, and I now use them every single day, sometimes even more than once.

I’ve drawn inspiration from several sources over the years, including Joe Cross’s Reboot, Pushita’s The Rawsome Life, Kimberly Snyder’s Beauty Detox, and more recently, Simple Green Smoothies. The last one has quickly become my go-to resource for all things smoothie-related, especially green smoothies.

I tried their first 30-day challenge a few months ago and instantly got hooked. My mornings now begin with a glass of warm water with lemon, followed by a green smoothie for breakfast. Depending on how full I feel, I may add toast or oatmeal, though the smoothies themselves are surprisingly filling. While I do get hungry again after about two hours and usually have a mid-morning snack, eating more frequently has actually helped stabilize my energy levels throughout the day.

This daily ritual has helped me in more ways than one:

• My energy levels have increased significantly. I no longer rely on caffeine in the mornings and have cut out morning tea or coffee, aside from the occasional afternoon cup of green or herbal tea.
• My skin has noticeably improved. What used to be acne-prone is now much smoother, and when I eat well consistently, it even has a healthy brightness rather than an oily shine.
• My eyesight has improved. This took confirmation from two separate eye exams, but my prescription has dropped by a full 0.5 points, which I personally attribute to regular carrot juicing.
• It has helped me exceed my daily intake of fruits and vegetables.
• It has supported toning and gradual weight loss — subtle, but definitely noticeable.
• It has strengthened my immune system, clearing up long-standing sinus issues.

So when Simple Green Smoothies announced their next 30-day challenge, I was completely on board. This time, though, I wanted to share my journey so we can do it together.

If you’re interested in joining and supporting me during this challenge, feel free to follow me on my Tumbl-og, Facebook, and Instagram. I’ll be sharing daily updates, weekly shopping lists, and recipes. Of course, you can also sign up directly with Simple Green Smoothies, the creators of this challenge.

I’d also love for you to share your experiences and any green smoothie recipes that have worked well for you.

Getting Started With the Challenge

(Adapted from Simple Green Smoothies)

The goal is simple: drink at least one green smoothie per day for the next 30 days. The approach is flexible — as long as you can make it work for your lifestyle.

#1 Drink at least one green smoothie daily. One green smoothie equals 16 ounces. Most recipes make two servings, so you can share with a friend, save half for later, or simply make a half batch.

#2 Continue eating regular meals. If your goal is weight loss, you may substitute a green smoothie for one meal. Otherwise, aim to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Avoid heavy fats, fried foods, sugary items, and hydrogenated fats if you want to see noticeable improvements in both weight and overall health.

#3 Review the weekly shopping lists and daily recipes provided by the sources mentioned above.

#4 Be adventurous. Try mustard greens or collard greens from the farmer’s market. Add coconut oil. Sprinkle chia seeds on top. Green smoothies are meant to be flexible and fun.

#5 Buy fresh vegetables and organic produce whenever possible. Wash greens and fruits thoroughly, especially if they’re non-organic, to remove pesticide residue.

#6 A basic green smoothie formula looks like this:
Greens (1–2) + Fruits (1–2) + Herbs (1–2) + Liquid base (coconut water, almond milk, or water) + Superfoods (optional: chia, flax, spirulina, etc.)

#7 Blend your heart out. Any blender will work as long as you’re consistent and use it regularly.

Happy smoothie-ing. One green smoothie a day truly can be transformative and may even help you shed a few pounds if that’s your goal.

Week 1 Shopping List

Below is the shopping list for the first week, which I’ll also be sharing across my other platforms. Aside from these ingredients, you’ll need a reliable blender. While I personally prefer Vitamix or Blendtec, any blender can get the job done.

This list yields approximately 4–5 cups, or two servings per day for two people. Feel free to halve the quantities if you’re making less. You can also substitute greens based on availability, and use any liquid base you prefer.

You’re welcome to swap fruits as needed, as long as you stay within similar categories such as stone fruits, melons, or berries. For example, oranges can be replaced with grapefruit or clementines, and pears can be swapped for green apples or even guavas.

The berries shown are frozen, but fresh or frozen both work perfectly well.

Stay open-minded, stay flexible, and enjoy watching the transformation happen.