Continuing the theme of my post-vacation shape up, I went home and drank my veggies for lunch in the form of a Green Monster Spinach Smoothie!
Green Monster Spinach Smoothies are one of my top secret diet weapons, because although they’re packed with baby spinach, which make my skin, hair, nails, and overall self feel totally great, they do not taste healthy at all. I repeat, they do not taste healthy at all.
PLUS!
- Spinach is fat free, cholesterol free, low in calories, and very low in sodium
- Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin A, C, K, iron, fiber, folate, and lutein
- Leutin is an antioxidant that promotes good eye health, and may help prevent cancer of the liver, ovaries, colon and prostate, and even dementia.
- Dole lab tests found spinach juice has twice the chlorophyl, eight times the calcium, six times the magnesium, 10 times the potassium, 15 times the vitamin C and 43 times the vitamin A of wheatgrass juice!
Are you convinced yet? Well channel your inner Popeye and get to blending already!
First add 1 sliced frozen banana, and 1 Tablespoon peanut butter in a blender. Tip: PEEL and SLICE your bananas before you freeze them.
Next add bulking agents for staying power, like protein-packed vanilla Greek yogurt, and creamy unsweetened vanilla almond milk. You could use any kind of milk you want – cow’s, rice, soy, etc.
PS I started calling cow’s milk, well, cow’s milk, after I stopped drinking it last year in favor of almond milk and it freaks. Ben. out. So hysterical.
Fill the blender the rest of the way up with baby spinach. I think I fit about 4 cups in there today!
Start the blender on “high blend” until everything’s mixed up, then switch it over to “liquify” to get the Green Monster velvety smooth.
Pure green gold!
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Green Monster Spinach Smoothie
Description
Green Monster Spinach Smoothie is packed with good-for-you ingredients — it's my favorite way to start the day!Â
Ingredients
- 1 frozen sliced banana
- 1 Tablespoon peanut butter
- 1/2 cup 0% Vanilla Chobani Greek yogurt
- 1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze (or other kind of milk)
- 4 cups baby spinach (or more, or less)
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I almost feel guilty enjoying one of these babies, as it tastes like a sweet, indulgent ice cream shake. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch or even a snack.
Try throwing in different kinds of greens, protein powder, and any frozen fruit or berry combo under the sun. The sky’s the limit with this ultra-healthy, not-healthy-tasting Green Monster Spinach Smoothie!
*Sources: Dole, WH Foods, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Lauren 01.04.2012
The greener the better. ;)
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) 01.04.2012
It took me forever to jump on the green monster bandwagon but I am SO glad I did. I was skeptical that they would not really taste good but holy cow they are awesome. I have never tried adding yogurt so I will try that next time! Maybe the yogurt will help it be more filling? Usually when I make a green monster I am hungry 2 hours later.
JV 01.04.2012
Love green monsters! My usual contains frozen banana, Trader Joe’s Vanilla Almond Milk, spinach, cinnamon!, peanut butter or almond butter, a bit of vanilla protein powder.
Lisa 01.04.2012
I also use kale or baby kale. LOVE my smoothies!
Ali 01.04.2012
Love it!! The perfect post for today. I was drinking this exact thing this morning at work (mind you I work in a small gym) and all the people were thinking it looked disgusting and couldn’t believe that I would drink such a thing. They were actually gagging at me haha! They could NOT understand how it tasted like a milk shake! I will be forwarding this post to about 25 people now. Thanks!
Caitlin Svec 01.04.2012
Would this work in a magic bullet? I don’t have a blender but I really want to make this in the morning!
Iowa Girl Eats 01.04.2012
I don’t have a MB – but I don’t see why not! :D
Shelene 01.04.2012
The Magic Bullet can’t handle dense frozen fruit like bananas and strawberries very well, but things like frozen blueberries and raspberries are no problem. So if I make these in my MB, I often use a fresh banana and add crushed ice to get the same texture. Good luck and enjoy! Green monsters are the best!
Sarah 01.05.2012
I make gm’s in my magic bullet all the time. I use frozen banana, frozen fruit, yogurt and water. The trick is to make sure there is enough liquid to help everything blend easier. Hope this helps!
Shelene 01.04.2012
The Magic Bullet can’t handle dense frozen fruit like bananas and strawberries very well, but things like frozen blueberries and raspberries are no problem. So if I make these in my MB, I often use a fresh banana and add crushed ice to get the same texture. Good luck and enjoy! Green monsters are the best!
Ashley @ coffee cake and cardio 01.04.2012
Love, love, love!!!!! I hope you’re starting to feel refreshed.
Jen@FoodFamilyFitness 01.04.2012
I always forget about the mighty green smoothie! I have to go to Trader Joe’s tomorrow anyway, so I’ll add spinach to my list of things to get :)
Stephanie 01.04.2012
I make smoothies everyday for my man and I, will definitely have to make this!!!!!!! Thanks
dana @ my little celebration 01.04.2012
I had one of those today, and every other day for that matter. I LOVE green smoothies!
Donna 01.04.2012
Looks great! Have you ever tried making one in the morning and leaving it in the fridge til lunch? I would love to bring green monsters to work for lunch, but I’m worried it wouldn’t taste too fresh by lunch time.
Angela 01.04.2012
You can freeze it and then let it unthaw an hour or so before you want to drink it! I’ve brought them to workouts and left them in my car to have as a post-workout drink!
Iowa Girl Eats 01.04.2012
I’ve frozen mine too, and it works just great!
Tee @ She Writes, Bites, and Window Shops 01.04.2012
This is exactly the way I make my green monsters! I leave the yogurt out if I just want more of a snack than a meal, and I usually add some protein powder. They are soooo yummy!
erica 01.04.2012
i used to make them all the time! i think it’s about time i start up again!!! :)
Manissa 01.04.2012
Mmm green monsters! They always remind me of Starbucks’ green tea frappuccino! I sometimes use kale instead, and I like to add in frozen berries.
Brenda 01.04.2012
Spinach, banana, berries, greek yogurt! I also like to juice greens and veggies, yummy! My hubby just cant get past the green color, I think its pretty!
Iowa Girl Eats 01.04.2012
I finally got Ben to try one last year, and he totally admitted it was awesome. HA!
Brenna @ Happ. B 01.04.2012
Wow! Look at those stats. I’ll have to try this smoothie. I’ve made one with kale, pear, banana, and orange. I love sneaking in those greens :)
Amber 01.04.2012
Ohhh! I just got a magic bullet so I’m super excited to try this out!
Abby 01.04.2012
My favorite combo is vanilla protein powder + peanut butter + spinach + cow’s milk. I like to make this smoothie for an after-workout replenishing snack. I LOVE how the spinach doesn’t affect the flavor of the smoothie but only gives the smoothie a vibrant green color & TONS of nutrients! I agree; I almost feel guilty drinking something that tastes like a delicious ice cream shake!
Liz @ Blog is the New Black 01.04.2012
Love green monsters! :)
Amber Shea @Almost Vegan 01.04.2012
I’m big on banana + spinach + BERRIES, the seedier the better (raspberries, blackberries). Sometimes I get gutsy and even replace the spinach with kale leaves. >:) And I love adding in superfoods and supplements like flax, chia, maca powder, etc.!
CherubMamma 01.04.2012
Adding chia is the best. I love the gel!