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
Lindsey 01.06.2012
This looks so good! I’m a vegan though so I’ll have to not add the yogurt, any suggestions on a different thickening agent?
Iowa Girl Eats 01.07.2012
Chia seeds and protein powder work great!
CaraLee 01.06.2012
I am definitely going to try this when I get back to school! I have been itching for a way to get my fresh greens in other than eating salad! Thanks for sharing with us:)
Andrea 01.06.2012
i love your recipes and will make this smoothie – maybe my kids will eat it too!
can you provide the fat & carb nutrition?
Deanna 01.06.2012
I just made this and it’s awesome. Even more crazy…my three 5-year olds watched me make it, tried it and liked it! They were mad when I told them it was my lunch and I wasn’t sharing…guess I’ll be making that again. :-)
Kelly 01.06.2012
Just made my first green monster today for lunch. Amazing! It’s gonna be hard to wait til tomorrow for my next one ;)
Linda W. 01.06.2012
2 organge and 2 apples, juiced, then added to 2 sliced frozen bananas in the blender with vanilla whey protein and a couple handfuls of spinach is the current fav.
The options are endless. Use whatever you like or have on hand and need to use up. Clementines are very good instead of oranges. Like some tang? Add lemon or lime. Out of spinach? Use Romaine or kale. Don’t have a juicere? Use cranberry juice, apple juice or orange juice.
Would Your Sip Her Drink? ‹ Her View From Home 01.06.2012
[…] Green Monster Spinach Smoothie! […]
Elle 01.06.2012
I LOVE green smoothies. I make one in the morning to take to work with me. My favorite is spinach (or kale), banana & pineapple. I also use soy milk and add protein powder. I sometimes swap the pineapple for a granny smith apple. I used to have an afternoon slump that tempted me to use the nap room at work, but since I started having one of these mid morning my afternoon slump has disappeared.
Kate Cremisino 01.05.2012
This looks amazing. I am 20 weeks pregnant and love a good way to eat spinach. I ate tons before pregnancy and for some reason haven’t during pregnancy. Shame on me!! Thanks for the post!! I SO look forward to making this asap and having it as a staple in my diet!
Would you sip her drink? « Her View From Home 01.05.2012
[…] Green Monster Spinach Smoothie! […]
Casi 01.05.2012
WOW what beautiful pictures of this highly nutritious smoothie. I want one and I want one NOW. Making this very soon, thank you :)
melissa 01.05.2012
How do you get it to come out so smooth? I have a pretty decent blender and my green smoothies come out without any chunks or anything but there are still always little bits of spinach leaves.. I don’t see any of that in yours?
Iowa Girl Eats 01.07.2012
My blender has a “liquify” setting that gets it super smooth!
green monster. « life of di 01.05.2012
[…] must admit, I borrowed the recipe from my favorite blogger, Iowa Girl Eats, but for good reason. These ‘Green Monster’ drinks are SO tasty and the health benefits […]
Kate @ Stripes and Polka Dots 01.05.2012
I’ve never been much of a smoothie girl, but that does sound really good! I might have to give it a try.
Celina 01.05.2012
you HAVE to try a green monster with FROZEN SPINACH CUBES! It makes it thicker and colder without watering it down with ice cubes!
Barb 01.05.2012
How do you make frozen spinach cubes? I was actually wondering if I could somehow freeze the spinach along with the fruit and yogurt (frozen in an ice cube tray) and put it individual ziploc baggies.
Amy 01.05.2012
THANK YOU FOR THIS RECIPE!!!! Just what I need to start 2012 off right :)
Kristina 01.05.2012
I have never tried a spinach smoothie and up until 2 seconds never would have (“ewwww!”). But you haven’t steered me wrong yet. 10 grams of fiber!? I won’t be hungry all day.
Allison O'Mara (A Girl in her kitchen) 01.05.2012
Yum!! I make these almost every morning! SO good!
Katy 01.05.2012
I was brave and tried this today. It really does taste very good. I added some frozen blueberries and strawberries. Thanks for the inspiration!
Kristine @ Running On Hungry 01.05.2012
I LIVE for Green Monsters and have one every morning! I usually add a scoop of protein powder in as well (SunWarrior Chocolate – so tasty!) so mine turn out a sludge-y brown color, but still taste delicious! Adding frozen strawberries gives it a delicious taste too!