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
Teddi 01.04.2012
I have to admit this looks scary to me, but I’m willing to try it. I really need more veggies in my diet and this would be a great way to get them.
Jen F. 01.04.2012
I’ve read about green monsters for quite some time and you might just be the person that convinces me to do it. Did you know there’s a blog totally devoted to green monsters?!!
Theresa 01.05.2012
Where, oh where, can we find this blog?!?!
Krissy @ Shiawase Life 01.05.2012
Here: http://greenmonstermovement.com/
:)
Kaycie G 01.04.2012
Oh my gosh there’s another Kaycie spelled the same way as me and we both follow IGE no wayyy! HI NAME TWIN IF YOU READ THIS!!
Excuse me, anyway, I am so pumped to try this. I am the worst at eating vegetables so this looks perfect!
Megan Newcomer 01.04.2012
I love green monsters! I make mine with almond milk, almond butter, chia seeds, spinach, and a frozen banana. So yummy!
Jenny 01.04.2012
I.<3.Green.Smoothies.
I usually do spinach/kale, celery, water, apple, pear and half a frozen banana. lasts for three days and is so glorious!
Sarah HS 01.04.2012
I like 1 cup of frozen unsweetened mixed berries, 1 vanilla Greek yogurt, 1 banana, spinach and almond milk. Pure deliciousness!
Kierstan @ Life {and running} in Iowa 01.04.2012
Love love these.
Tip for buying bananas – often grocery stores (at least my Hy-Vee does) will set out a cart with bulk bags of bananas that are past their prime – but really they are just fine. A few brown spots on the outside. Pick up a few bags (or if you are my husband – SEVEN!!) and begin the process of freezing them in batches. We peel them, break in half and freeze on cookie sheets, and then store them in a giant tupperware (or plastic bags).
I find the bananas easy to slice with a good knife when they are frozen, so breaking them in half speeds things along.
This is a super deal and you save a ton of money. Often, if you are lucky, you even get the organic bananas for dirt cheap.
Amy 01.04.2012
I was a gun shy regarding these and then I made one, YUM! So good………………….!!!!
Sarah 01.04.2012
I love green monsters, I add 100% orange juice, frozen berries and ground flax to mine!
Jen @ Cabs and Dogs 01.04.2012
Just got some spinach in my CSA box today! I see a Green Monster in my near future! :-)
Kaycie 01.04.2012
I LOVE green smoothies! I do pretty much the same recipe but add in some protein powder. Tastes just like a shake and it’s amazing you can’t taste the spinach!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) 01.04.2012
I need to enjoy more green smoothies. They’re so good for you and easy to make/drink.
Cari 01.04.2012
This sounds soooo delish! I can’t wait to try it! Does it make any difference if the banana isn’t frozen?
Iowa Girl Eats 01.04.2012
would throw in a handful of ice if you don’t have a frozen banana!
Cari 01.04.2012
thank you both!
Amber @ Bold, Busy, Blessed 01.04.2012
If I did pre-freeze my banana, sometimes I just add some ice to the mix to get the same texture!
Amber @ Bold, Busy, Blessed 01.04.2012
Typo – didn’t pre-freeze and Kristin posted at the same time as me :)
Anna @ Food Fitness Frolicking 01.04.2012
This smoothie looks delicious! Yours always look WAY greener than when I make them.
Where did you get the cool dole cup?
Iowa Girl Eats 01.04.2012
I actually got it when I went to the Dole healthy bloggers summit earlier this summer!
Jan 01.04.2012
The frozen mangos from Trader Joe’s are an awesome addition to the green monster for a little extra sweetness! enjoy!
deana allary 01.04.2012
I like to add frozen raspberries and fatfreelight wildberry crumb cake yogurt to mine. The best!
Foodiku 01.04.2012
I would love to try this, but I’m crazy allergic to bananas. I wonder what I could sub . . . suggestions anyone?
Jill 01.04.2012
You could probably just sub in any frozen fruit you like and maybe extra yogurt for some more texture?
Jan 01.04.2012
Frozen mangos from Trader Joe’s might add a little sweetness like bananas but you might have to add a little honey or agave to match the sweetness.
Iowa Girl Eats 01.04.2012
Frozen mangoes, raspberries or blueberries would be great!
julia 01.04.2012
avocado would add that creamy texture, for sure. green smoothies are the unsung hero of delicious treats!
Theresa 01.05.2012
Avocado is next on the list for my attempts… what else do you use?
Laura @ Mrs in the Making 01.12.2012
I have used frozen peaches when I did not have banana and it worked very well. I think you could really sub any fruit you wanted!!! If you want to keep it green and not let it turn a muddy color you need to use light colored fruits (peach, manog, pineapple, apple, etc) rather than dark berries. :) I hope you try this out, I made one a few days ago and it was to. die. for.
Bob 01.04.2012
spinach, frozen mango, banana, vanilla protein powder (or cows milk or yogurt), ground flax seeds.
Jeralyn 01.04.2012
I like to add honey to mine for some extra sweetness :)
Lindsay @ Chobani 01.04.2012
Yum, we’re big fans of Green Monsters, especially when CHO’s in the mix. The banana taste masks the spinach and gives it a creamy, sweet and smooth taste. With health benefits to boot!
Lindsay, Chobani