What do you get when you blend 2 large handfuls of spinach, 1 banana, milk, scoop of vanilla protein powder, and a cup of ice? A super easy, super filling, and super nutritious snack. I often whip this together minutes before I’m heading out the door, pour it into a mason jar or insulated cup with a large straw, and sip as I drive. It has kept me away from hitting up fast food, which is tempting to do when hungry in the car.
If you think about it, this is easily a meal in a cup. There is enough spinach in it to fill up a large plate, a whole banana, protein from the powder. The cup of milk or milk substitute (I use almond milk) is also nutrient rich and filling. I sometimes add chia seeds for extra omega, fiber and protein.
I know there are times that I just don’t want to eat another green salad on a plate, or have the time to shovel it in my mouth and chew! On days I am in the mood for a plate of salad greens, I still have my smoothie, and it feels good knowing I am getting so many nutrients into my body in one day.
I do not have a fancy blender, you don’t need one for this. Mine is Oster brand (the one above) and it has served me well!
The finished product is an interesting color, but it is smooth, creamy and you cannot taste the spinach. It tastes like a banana shake. The vanilla protein powder and banana both add enough sweetness so no added sweetener is needed.
The protein powder I use is Plant Fusion Pea Protein Powder. It is vegan and is sweetened with stevia herb. No yucky artificial sweeteners. Love it!
If I am ever in a chocolate mood, I use chocolate almond milk, or add some cocoa to it. It is also great with a scoop of peanut butter or almond butter. MMM..This makes it into a chocolate, peanut butter, banana smoothie! Delish.
If you have digestive issues, these smoothies are a great way to get fiber into your diet. I notice a huge difference when I drink them regularly. I feel they are very cleansing to the system.
Want one more reason to drink your greens? I have people tell me my coloring looks great. Well, after reading this article, titled “Want a golden glow? Don’t Bother With a Suntan, Eat Your Greens Instead,” I think I can thank my green smoothies for that!
Easy, Everyday Green Smoothie
{inspired by Green Monster @ Oh She Glows}
2 large handfuls of spinach (about 2 cups)
1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice-coconut, soy, dairy)
1 banana
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use Plant Fusion)
1 cup ice
2 tbls chia seeds (optional)
Place spinach, almond milk, banana, chia and protein powder in blender. Blend until smooth. You should see a cortex in the middle, if you don’t add a bit more milk until you do. When smooth, add ice. Blend a bit more. Pour and enjoy!
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Leslie Borody
October 1, 2013 at 1:31 pmkefir was great at healing my eczema and i add coconut water to my smoothis too…
Anonymous
January 29, 2013 at 12:30 amUnsweetened soya milk is a great substitute for the milk and a great source of protein. Awesome blog by the way. I love it!
smoothies
March 28, 2012 at 10:43 amThank you for sharing tasty post on “Everyday Green Smoothie” it is awesome, you can include smoothie in your another recipes post which will be healthy, nutritious food!
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lisa beyer
March 28, 2012 at 12:42 amthanks for sharing this recipe Amy. I am just learing about hte importance of keeping our bodies alkaline. ios this why you drink the green smoothie every day or for other health benefits? Thanks and God Bless!
Lisa
jennifer
November 24, 2011 at 1:49 amMy family drinks this also! We like to add a cut up apple or two to it. We feel so good after drinking this 🙂 We also add agave nectar. It’s such a forgiving recipe…if it gets too thin, add more of something!
lzbthntnmnn
October 26, 2011 at 9:15 pmFor people with thyroid problems it’s best not to eat raw spinach – lightly steamed is preferable. With that said, I use frozen spinach all the time in my smoothies. I steam and freeze in 2-3 TBS plops on parchment on a sheet. The tip to that is you have to blend it first with the milk. I just throw it in with the milk, let it sit for a couple seconds (it’s less work for the blender) and blend away! Then add the other ingredients. I like my smoothies shake like – so I always freeze my bananas too – which definitely gives it a shake like consistency! AND – if you have littles, and popsicle maker, the left over smoothie is a perfect snack. My son LOVES leftover smoothie popsicles! I always snicker when he asks for a popsicle, cause he’s thinking he’s getting a naughty treat, but there’s yogurt, bananas, spinach, blueberries, and oatmeal in it. “Oh, you want another? Ok” 🙂 LOVE the tip on the protein – definitely going to have to check that out!
Ashley
October 24, 2011 at 5:38 pmI noticed you pour your smoothie INTO a mason jar. You can screw the bottom part of your blender onto the mason jar instead of having to make a mess of the mason jar AND the blender! It makes for VERY quick smoothies and little clean up!You just place all your ingradients in the mason jar, screw the blade onto it, and Wa-la!
Amber
October 24, 2011 at 5:00 pmCould you freeze leftovers and thaw later for drinking?
Amy Bowman
October 24, 2011 at 2:41 am@ Carmen–Your comment to me was awesome! Thank YOU for praying for me, what a gift.
@abby–you sound the opposite of geek girl:)
@jeana–Hi friend! I love the pea protein, adds just enough sweet and its vegan
@Nira Family–I don’t think frozen would break up as easily, may make it clumpy. The idea is to make the spinach disappear into itty bitty bits. I’d stick with fresh. Thanks for reading!
Anonymous
May 23, 2012 at 2:20 amFrozen works fine. I put it in mine all the time!
The Nira Family
October 24, 2011 at 2:37 amI have frozen spinach, do you think that would work?
jeana
October 23, 2011 at 6:34 pmI always throw in a handful or two of spinach, the banana is a must in our smoothies too! Thanks for the tip on the protein you use, I just ran out of the one I was using but wanted to try something different. Thanks!
abby - the geek girl
October 23, 2011 at 6:04 amI drink a green smoothie as often as possible: spinach, almond milk, peanut butter, a banana and ice. Love it!!
Unknown
October 22, 2011 at 7:13 pmWhat a treasure I have found in this blog. I know I will get so much from reading your posts. Love what I have seen already. Know that I will be praying for you at least once a week on Monday mornings. Can’t wait to get to know you better through your blog. Blessings
Carmen Whittaker