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
Allison 01.05.2012
I’ve been meaning to try making a green monster! I love all of those ingredients but what’s stopping me is our ancient blender- don’t know how smooth it would come out :/
Caitlin @ Chasing A Mile 01.05.2012
I have never had a Green Monster before! Normally the recipes I see don’t look that great, but seeing yours makes me want to try to make this. I love peanut butter and banana together!
Luciana 01.05.2012
Totally, thanks. And whatever, it can’t hurt to try it once!
Luciana 01.05.2012
Silly question, but does it taste very banana-y? I’m not a banana fan, so I always shy away from smoothies. But I’m really tempted to try this. Thoughts?
Iowa Girl Eats 01.05.2012
Mmmm – I don’t think so, but I like bananas, so I’m not sure I focus on the flavor really. Does that make sense?
Laura @ Mrs in the Making 01.12.2012
I don’t particularly like bananas and I didn’t mind it. I think you taste the yogurt and peanut butter more than anything.
Rachel S. 01.05.2012
Yes! I finally tried one right before the holidays. I love it! I have one for breakfast every morning on the way to work. I can put everything in the blender the night before and just hit the button in the morning.
The recipe I use is:
1/2 banana
2 TBS. peanut butter
3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
handful of spinach
4-5 ice cubes
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder.
It really does taste like a milkshake!
Iowa Girl Eats 01.05.2012
That’s a great idea to put everything in the blender the night before!
tonya 01.05.2012
would it be as smooth and thick without the pb or banana? i’m not really a fan of either one. can you taste them at all?
Iowa Girl Eats 01.05.2012
You could use ice instead of the banana, and leave out the peanut butter if you want!
Doc (The Healthy Ph.D) 01.05.2012
Add an orange or clementine (or just OJ) and get a creamsicle flavor!!
Also, I don’t know if it’s just me or my connection, but every time I go to your blog, my computer freezes while your pictures in the header load…I don’t have a problem reading your post in Greader, but just when I go to the page…
De 01.05.2012
I have a green monster smoothie every morning during the warmer times of year, but in the winter for breakfast I have spinach scrambled into an egg. But now I want a green monster for a snack. Might be that it is 40 degrees up in MSP…
Samantha Cahalan 01.05.2012
Love your blog – I can’t wait to try something that’s healthy and tasty!!
Anna-Marie @ Beauty and the Beets 01.05.2012
Really can’t wait to try this- I hope I can my hubby to drink this too…..thank you!!
Sarah T. (Team Trader Mom) 01.05.2012
I love smoothies but have always been weary to try one with spinach. After reading this though (and the comments) I think I will try it tomorrow for breakfast!
Sarah T. (Team Trader Mom) 01.06.2012
Ok I tried it this morning and loved it! Didn’t taste like liquid salad at all! HA! Definitely going to work this in to my morning routine! Thanks for the tip!
VeggieGirl 01.05.2012
In summer (cos in Winter I get brain freeze) I LOVE my green monsters and they contribute to my health SO much! I actually drink a Bolthouse Farms Mango protien smoothie every morning for breakfast- its quick and full of goodness and I havent been sick yet this winter!
Dawn 01.05.2012
I have never been too sure of this concept. I like all the ingredients, just not all in one drink. Not too appetizing for my palette!
Kasey @ The Spinach Monologues 01.05.2012
I’m obviously in love with spinach :) I always include chia seeds but there are so many combinations to try, it makes my head spin! Thanks for sharing!
Deb 01.05.2012
I’m so glad you posted this. I was looking for soft foods to eat for after I get my wisdom teeth removed tomorrow, and this sounds like the perfect fix!
Danielle 01.05.2012
This looked like something I would love and I did! Omg so good! This is great for my anemia too. Thank you!
Lisa Jones 01.05.2012
Ok, Iowa Girl, I’m gonna try it! I’ll let you know how it turns out! BTW, pinned it on Pinterest!
Doug 01.05.2012
Hy-Vee frozen blueberries = Purple Monster. Spinach, soy milk, vanilla protein powder, yogurt, and the berries. Tastes great…just might have to pick a few seeds from your teeth after :)
Amanda 01.05.2012
It looks and sounds scary…..I’ve never thought of making a smoothie with spinanch!! :/ if I gather some guts I may try it someday
Hallie Sawyer 01.05.2012
I love making these! I use greek yogurt and almond milk also but I usually add frozen blueberries or fresh strawberries if I have them on hand. The other thing I add is a bit of fresh ginger. I love the zing!
I will check your recipe out though. It looks great!