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Drinks/ RECIPES

My Everyday Green Smoothie

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!

Chia Seeds

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Drinks/ RECIPES

Tropical Green Salad Smoothie

{can you tell my hair is totally wack?}

This smoothie is pretty much a salad in a smoothie. It is delicious! I often make it breakfast, along with a piece of high fiber toast. I love that I am getting all of the benefits of eating a big healthy salad, without having to eat another plate of big healthy salad! Slurping my fruits and vegetables through a straw can be much more fun than all that chewing.

I use 2 whole cups of baby spinach which is so mild tasting that it disappears once you add the fruit. I add a bit of flax oil, it is the “dressing” of the salad. I add it to help get my omega’s in for the day. On a simple day, I use only banana and then add a cup of ice at the end. Today was more special, I happened to have frozen mango chunks and frozen pineapple tidbits (both in the freezer section at Trader Joes), so I added those. My girls argued over “who got more” of this smoothie today. Never seen kids argue over a salad before, have you?

*Put the ingredients into the blender in the order that I list them. They blend much more smoothly if you do.

Tropical Green Smoothie
1 Tbls flax oil (optional)
2 cups baby spinach
1 banana (can be frozen or not)
1 1/4 cups milk (I use almond or coconut. Can use dairy)
1/2 cup frozen mango
1/2 cup frozen pineapple
(if not using the additional frozen fruit, add a cup of ice)
Sweetener of choice, if needed (stevia, honey, agave, or sugar)–usually not needed
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Add the oil, spinach, banana, and milk to the blender. Blend until
spinach disappears into tiny green flecks. Add the frozen fruit or ice. Blend until smooth.
This recipe makes 26 ounces.
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**can add a scoop of protein powder and a touch more milk if you desire. I use a vegan pea protein powder, Plant Fusion Vanilla Protein Powder which I love. I buy the vanilla flavor.

**you can pour these into popsicle molds and let the kids have green popsicles for breakfast!

Drinks/ RECIPES

Smoothies- Green Smoothies

Don’t be afraid! They are super duper delish, and a great way to get a big chunk of your daily fruits and veggies in one drink! In fact, if I have one of these smoothies in the morning, and make sure I eat a salad full of veggies with my dinner, I know I have had ALL my fruits and veggies for the day.
I can’t tell you how much energy I get from drinking green smoothies. I really notice it when I am able to drink one a day for multiple days. We have had to cut our grocery bill down a bit, so lately I have only made smoothies once or twice a week, and I consider them a treat. I love them!

You have to admit, it really is a beautiful color, don’t you think?
This one has fresh pineapple, frozen banana, frozen cantaloupe, grapes and strawberries, a whole peeled orange, spinach and water. The fresh pineapple adds so much sweetness, the orange adds a little tang, and the spinach you can barely taste, if at all.

I follow the directions given on the blog Happy Foody. This is a great video of step by step instructions.

How To Make a Green Smoothie from Sara Janssen on Vimeo.

My girls get very excited when I am making these. They especially love when I make popsicles out of them. Its been so funny when their little friends come over to play and we pull out the green smoothies. When in drink form, kids seem to get a bit freaked out, but when made into a popsicle, they just can’t gobble them up fast enough and end up begging for more. I guess they are used to seeing popsicles in bright colors?? My girls love them, and when I ask what my girls want for snack, I often get asked, “Mom, do you have all the stuff to make green smoothies?” Ahh. I love hearing that question. What a great feeling to feed them super foods that they love!

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