Paleo Strawberry-Kale Coconut Smoothie
When you try to squeeze a workout into the morning before getting everyone out the door, it can be tough to eat a healthy breakfast. That’s why I like to have shakes pre-made and ready to go! I just pull a bag out of the freezer and let it defrost overnight in the refrigerator. As we’re hustling about our morning, it’s easy to pour in a glass and drink on the go.
The best part about this Strawberry-Kale Coconut Smoothie is that you get the health benefits of a nutritionally dense vegetable for your first meal of the day. If you aren’t accustomed to eating veggies in the morning, let me assure you that the flavors from the strawberry and coconut take center stage. The smoothie is healthy and tasty all the way!
Strawberry-Kale Coconut Smoothie
Author/Source:
Christine @ Onceamonthmom.com
Ingredients:
- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk, canned (full fat)
- 4 cups frozen strawberries
- 8 cups kale
- 4 scoops unsweetened whey protein powder (approx. 20 grams protein each scoop)*
- 1 cup water
Directions:
Put all ingredients in blender and mix until smooth. Serve and enjoy!
*If you don’t use whey protein powder you could leave it out and serve the shake with another protein source like hard boiled eggs.
Freezing Directions:
After blending, pour each serving into quart sized freezer bag. Lay flat to freeze. TO SERVE: Thaw bag in refrigerator the night before. Pour contents into glass and enjoy your quick, on the go breakfast!
Servings: 4
**conversion chart image provided by Erik Spiekermann
I thought Whey Protein wasn’t Paleo?
It seems some experts think it’s okay while others don’t. I definitely think “real food” is always a better option but good, quality protein powder can work in a pinch. We won’t have many other recipes throughout the year that call for protein powder (if any at all) so if you want to leave it out of the recipe and serve with another source of protein (like eggs?) that is certainly an option!
What brand of whey protein powder do you use? I have avoided many smoothie recipes because I haven’t got a clue about protein powder.
http://www.strongerfasterhealthier.com/ is a good brand because it’s supposed to be organic and more bioavailable than most. However, I leave the powder out most of the time and just serve with hard boiled eggs.
8 cups of kale is a lot….how does this taste?
It is for 4 servings and the kale gets blended quite well.
Would coconut milk in the carton (like a milk subsitute) work? We have some of that on hand most of the time. Or is the canned coconut milk different somehow?
Additional ingredients/preservatives are usually added to the carton coconut milk. The canned coconut milk us usually thicker and has a higher fat content so they do cook differently. However, for something like a smoothie they can be interchanged quite easily!
Do you think Almond Milk would be an ok substitute for the Coconut Milk? I have a ton of Almond Milk on hand from Costco!
yes it would be great!
Can you sub raspberries or blueberries for the strawberries? I have a kid who is allergic to strawberries.
Yes you can sub any berry!
Does the coconut need to be full fat, or would light canned coconut milk work?
Meghan, you could certainly use light canned coconut milk, I like to have full fat but use what you have on hand.
How did you get this to stay looking so pretty? It tastes great, but mine came out a pukey green color! haha
I’d add the kale in last and gradually until you get it pretty but also nutritional!
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“Experts” warn against it, but we use raw eggs in our shakes and have nevah evah had a problem. We’ve done it for years.
do you get the same nutrients after freezing this smooth?
You should!
This came out tasting a lot like kale in my opinion. I made two batches and modified the second batch quite a bit. In both batches I used 4 Tbsp. of peanut butter in place of the protein powder, and I also used a mix of coconut milk and almond milk. In the second batch I added an extra 2 cups of strawberries and only 4 cups of kale. My second batch tasted much better.