Tropical Green Salad Smoothie

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!