Green Milk Does A Body Good
On the 21-Day Cleanse, starting and ending your day with a Clean Shake is the norm—but if you’re craving a low-sugar, fruit-free option, Green Milk is a refreshing alternative. Made with kale, spinach, and unsweetened almond milk, this easy-to-digest recipe delivers a vibrant dose of nutrients without the need for a juicer. Whether you’re following a cleanse or just want a light, energizing breakfast, Green Milk is a simple way to support your detox goals and fuel your day.
On the 21-Day Cleanse, we start and end every day with a Clean Shake. The recipe for making a Clean Shake is simple. Start with a liquid base, then add greens, healthy fats, and fruit along with a Clean Shake packet. But what if you are looking for a green smoothie with no fruit? Try this recipe for Green Milk.
For those mornings or evenings on the Cleanse when you need something different, try this simple recipe. We also just love it as a regular pick-me-up breakfast. It uses kale and spinach juice (no juicer required!) along with unsweetened almond milk to achieve a bright color and smooth texture. It’s easy to digest, low-glycemic, and packed with nutrients.
Juices vs. smoothies
There’s a lot of debate over whether juices or smoothies are healthier. Our standpoint? Both juices and smoothies are fantastic for fueling up with vitamins and minerals. Choosing one over the other depends on what your body needs on any given day. Juicing involves extracting liquid and nutrients from fruits and vegetables and removing the insoluble fiber found in the pulp. Because our bodies don’t have to work as hard to squeeze the healthy stuff out of plants during digestion, nutrients can hit our bloodstream faster with the least amount of energy expended.
Green juice with a blender
The main concern with juice is that without insoluble fiber present to slow down the digestion process, sugar from pulverized fruit rushes into the bloodstream and spikes our blood sugar levels. This isn’t an issue with green juices made from leafy vegetables, as they’re low in sugar. In fact, green juice has been linked to a lower risk for developing diabetes and may improve cholesterol, too. This recipe for Green Milk uses kale and spinach juice, but you don’t need a juicer to separate the leafy pulp from the nutrient-dense liquid. A quick spin in a high-speed blender and a mesh bag are all you need to make green juice – and this recipe for Green Milk – at home.
Green Milk
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
1 cup filtered water
2 cups packed kale, torn
1 cup baby spinach
1 packet CLEAN Plain Shake
½ cup plain, unsweetened almond milk
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
Directions:
Prep your veggies and measure out the cinnamon, vanilla, and sea salt.
Combine the filtered water, kale, and baby spinach in a high-speed blender. Blend for a minute, until the veggies have broken down and the mixture is smooth.
Pour the contents of the blender through a mesh bag positioned over a bowl, squeezing the bag to release as much green juice as possible. Rinse your blender and pour the green juice back in. Add the Plain Cleanse Shake (or Plain Daily Shake), almond milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt and blend until creamy.
Pour the green milk into a glass, over ice if you’d like it chilled.
Enjoy immediately for the freshest flavor.
Recipe and photography by Kate Kasbee
If you like this recipe, you might also like Try this healing green smoothie for calm
FAQs for Green Milk
Q: Is Green Milk suitable for the 21‑day detox?
A: Yes. Green Milk was created for the Clean 21 program as a low‑glycemic, nutrient‑dense shake option that supports digestion and detox goals.
Q: Can I use Green Milk as a meal replacement on the detox?
A: Yes. When paired with a Clean Shake packet (protein + nutrients) and healthy fats from the almond milk, it works well as a light meal or breakfast during the detox.
Q: Why use a juice-style green base instead of blending the whole greens?
A: Straining removes insoluble fiber so nutrients absorb faster with less digestive work—useful during a detox or when you want gentle digestion. Keeping some fiber in other meals maintains regularity.
Q: Do I need a juicer to make Green Milk?
A: No. A high‑speed blender and a fine mesh bag or nut milk bag will extract green juice effectively without a juicer.
Q: Is Green Milk low in sugar?
A: Yes. It relies on leafy greens (kale, spinach) and unsweetened almond milk, making it low‑glycemic and unlikely to spike blood sugar when made as directed.
Q: Can I use a different liquid base (water or coconut water)?
A: Yes. Filtered water keeps it lowest in carbs; coconut water adds electrolytes but slightly more natural sugars. Choose based on your detox goals and tolerance.
Q: Can I swap almond milk for another plant milk?
A: Yes—unsweetened cashew, almond, or hemp milk are fine swaps. Avoid sweetened varieties to keep the drink low‑glycemic.
Q: Is it okay to add fruit to Green Milk?
A: You can, but adding fruit increases sugar and may change its low‑glycemic benefit. If you add fruit, stick to small amounts of low‑sugar options (half green apple, a few berries) and adjust portions.
Q: Can I make Green Milk ahead of time?
A: For best nutrient preservation and flavor, consume immediately. If necessary, refrigerate up to 24 hours in an airtight container; shake well before drinking.
Q: Will Green Milk cause bloating?
A: Most people tolerate leafy‑green juices well. If you’re sensitive to high‑fiber greens or oxalates, start with smaller portions or rotate greens (more spinach, less kale) to reduce bloating.
Q: Is Green Milk good for gut healing during a detox?
A: Yes—its easy digestibility, low sugar, and nutrient density support gentle gut rest and repair when combined with the Clean program’s structure and proteins.
Q: Can I use the Daily Shake Unflavored instead of the Clean Shake packet?
A: Yes. Both Clean Shake Unflavored and Daily Shake Unflavored work in this recipe to add protein and nutrients appropriate for detox and daily nourishment.
Q: Does straining greens remove important nutrients?
A: Straining removes insoluble fiber but retains most water‑soluble vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients—ideal when you want rapid nutrient delivery with less digestive effort.
Q: How can I make Green Milk more filling?
A: Add a tablespoon of chia seeds, a half‑scoop of unflavored protein (if compatible), or a teaspoon of MCT oil—choose additions that align with your detox plan.
Q: Is cinnamon and vanilla necessary?
A: No, but they enhance flavor and cinnamon may help stabilize blood sugar. Use them to taste or omit if preferred.
