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!
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
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
Renee 01.13.2012
I make these every morning except I add frozen berries or frozen peaches. ( I like peaches better because they don’t alter the green color) also i use PB2 which is powdered peanut butter. 46 cals and 1.5 grams of fat per 2 tbsp. If your looking for protein then stick with the pb but if your looking for taste and lower cals go with the pb2. Only bummer you have to get it online. BTW its just pressed peanuts. They just press the oil right out of it.
Sharon 01.14.2012
You can get the powdered PB2 at HyVee if you have one of those grocery stores in your area at least I can here in Missouri.
Michelle 01.13.2012
Hi there! Just found you through a friends blog and have been spending way too much time checking out your recipes! Quick question for you… my daughter is allergic to nuts. Do you have a suggestion of something to replace the peanut butter? Thanks so much! Have a great weekend…
Lynn 01.16.2012
Try sesame seed butter…trader joes sells it and it’s soooo delist!!!
Iowa Girl Eats 01.17.2012
You actually don’t *have* to add PB – I just do it because I like the taste, and protein boost!
Jenn 01.18.2012
We use SunButter Creamy in our house since I can’t send PB to school with the kids. It is a very close second and tastes great in this smoothie.
taresa 01.13.2012
what is a good alternative to the greek yogurt ive tried to like it but i just cant stand it anything else to sub that you can buy at the grocery store i wanna try this today
Iowa Girl Eats 01.13.2012
You can use regular yogurt, protein powder, or no yogurt at all. You can also use 1/4 cup old fashioned oats, although the smoothie won’t be as silky with them blended in. Still good – just not 100% smooth!
holly 01.15.2012
if you soak the oats overnight in a bit of milk in a covered dish, it helps make it less chunky in the smoothie. :)
Carmen 01.15.2012
I love the idea of oat meal………gonna do that tomorrow….thank you………..Carmen in Virginia
Deb 01.13.2012
I add frozen mango and sometimes strawberries (but the red changes the color of the smoothie). I always add cinnamon and vanilla too. I’ll have to try the peanut butter next.
libbyBH 01.13.2012
New follower. Love your blog!
Lexie 01.12.2012
Love this smoothie, I also make one with kale that is fantastic. Good way to start the day.
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet 01.12.2012
Looks perfect! I like the idea of freezing the bananas! Excellent post.
Shannon 01.12.2012
I love green smoothies I make mine with frozen strawberries, spinach, unsweetened almond milk and chocolate protein powder its like a chocolate covered strawberry milk shake mmmmmm
Will try your recipe soon thanks
Lauren 01.12.2012
I’m a new follower and found you from Pinterest. I have always been VERY skeptical of these smoothies and the people that claim “they’re good! you can’t taste the spinach!” but I decided to try it out for dinner anyway. Oh. My. Goodness. These are yummy – I feel healthy & full after drinking it! Absolutely don’t taste the spinach one bit! This will be perfect as a quick breakfast or snack after working out. Thanks for converting me. :)
Keepin’ It Green « life in green 01.11.2012
[…] Iowa Girl Eats  (Iowa gals […]
Jill 01.14.2012
I use:
-half an avocado
-spinach
-almond butter instead of PB
-small amount of organic honey
-chia seeds
-almond chocolate milk
-protien powder
-frozen banana
Louise 01.19.2012
where did you find chia seeds? I have been looking in local gro stores. Please and thank you
Sheriann 01.22.2012
Our chemist and health food shops are selling chia seeds. Maybe for you too?
Sheriann 01.22.2012
Everything is better with chocolate. :) I have never seen Almond chocolate milk though.
Jessica Barnes 01.15.2012
ooooh my goodness i was SUPER skeptical! but i am drinking this now; so yummy! i put too much peanut butter cause i didn’t measure, just estimated. next time i’ll reign in the p.b. some. but there will be a next time! this is an awesome way to get in more veggies and fruits! yummmmm! :)
Jessica Kendrick 01.11.2012
This smoothie is amazing. I’m a dietitian and I’m telling EVERYONE to try it (and sending them the link to your website, too). Great idea! Esp for kids who won’t eat veggies. ;)
Playing Catch Up | Dash of Decadence 01.10.2012
[…] Such as Kristen’s Green Monster Smoothie. […]
Anne 01.10.2012
Anyone ever tried oatmeal in this as a sub for the yogurt? I put quick cooking oats in a lot of my smoothies to boost fiber and I can’t taste it… sounds delicious!
Iowa Girl Eats 01.13.2012
Yes! Thank you for reminding me – I have made this smoothie with 1/4 cup old fashioned oats many times and it’s great!
Christina @ Christina's Adventures 01.10.2012
so I pinned this…tried it for lunch today, and LOVED it!! It seriously just tastes like bananas and peanut butter…can’t taste the spinach at all!! I am now hooked :)
Kourtni Callaway 01.10.2012
What exactly does this taste like? I am really curious to try it, but I don’t want to be completely grossed out. I eat most fruits so any recommendations would be appreciated.
Christina @ Christina's Adventures 01.10.2012
I just tried it today – tastes just like bananas & peanut butter!! It was SO good!!
Deb 01.10.2012
This sounds great. Any idea how many carbs total are in one of these? I am trying to figure out if I can use one as a meal replacement and I need 30-45 grams of carbs after the fiber grams are removed.
Jessica 01.10.2012
I am going to try this. Thank you for sharing.
Sarah Robinson 01.10.2012
THIS SMOOTHIE is AMAAAAZING!
I have shared with all my friends. Thanks so much for this great and healthy recipe. You have fans all the way in Alaska. :)
Bethany Scofield 01.10.2012
I wouldn’t call it GOOD, but it’s not BAD at all… After I added an extra banana to sweeten it up more. The kids ate some too and I made the extra into popsicles. If they don’t eat the popsicles I’ll just use them in the future in other smoothies. Thanks for the recipe! Perfect for my little one that won’t eat much and needs to gain weight.
autumn 01.10.2012
Thank you for posting this recipe! I found it on pinterest..and oh my goodness. My kids even LOVE it. We didn’t have any pb for our first round but it still tasted great without it. When the kids are done with school, this is the snack they ask for. We split it 3 ways and everyone still gets full ;) thanks again