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
LM 01.17.2012
This sounds good! Can you make this ahead of time (like the night before) or is it better to make them right before you eat them? My problem is the extra ten minutes of sleep often wins out over getting up to make a smoothie :-)
Iowa Girl Eats 01.17.2012
I’ve never made it the night before, so I can’t vouch, but one person suggested putting all the ingredients in the blender the night before, then simply blending real quick in the morning! :)
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Dee 01.16.2012
I’m going to try this. I have tried a “green” smoothie before that started out with kale and it was just plain gross. But I’m trusting this and I’m going to go buy the ingredients tomorrow. I need more veggies in my diet, so if it tastes decent, I may be able to drink some. Thanks
Jacqueline Fischer 01.16.2012
I have this for breakfast daily. Sooo good and filling! I put ice cubes, a cup of almond milk, drop of honey, refrigerated blueberries, banana,( unfrozen), and lots of spinach. Maybe a little flaxseed too. Delicious.
Lisa Ager 01.16.2012
This is SO yummy!! Thanks for sharing!
Shellie 01.16.2012
I started eating healthier this year…and received a NINJA as a Christmas gift…was a little intimidated actually..saw this recipe..and for some reason..just had to try it..and well..loved it! Thank you!
Amy 01.16.2012
Made this and everyone loved it! Especially the kids! Calling it the green monster smoothies definitely helped the cause! They loved the name! Pinned it on pinterest and it got over one hundred repins! It’s a for sure hit!
Mindy 01.16.2012
I’m lactose intolerant is there a non dairy substitue for the yogurt or can I just leave it out??
Cassie 01.20.2012
There is a soy yogurt you could use. I really wish I could remember the name. Not every grocery store carries it, but one with a good organic section or something like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods would carry yogurt alternatives.
Lacey 01.16.2012
Hi! :) I tried this yesterday, it was absolutely delicious! I was just wondering, mine got a little bit too thick. Is there anything I can do to make it more liquid-like because it almost got to a solid. The milk is so thick that I wasn’t sure if it would help to add more. Did anyone else have this problem?
Iowa Girl Eats 01.17.2012
Next time just add a bit more milk. You can add more/less of any ingredient to fit your tastes!
charity 01.16.2012
do you know the fat & carb info as well?
thanks!
Lindsey (One Sweet World) 01.16.2012
Oooh peanut butter. I hadn’t thought about that! I do about 1.5 cups of milk, frozen raspberries and blueberries, a whole banana, scoop of Solgar protein powder, and a huge handful of spinach. Mine’s more of a blue/purple color. I’ve done the yogurt before, and also a squirt of honey to make it a little sweeter. It’s a great breakfast shake for me, I enjoy it during my hour commute!
julie 01.16.2012
I’m looking forward to trying this since 1- I am constantly watching my weight, and 2- I have picky eaters in my house. What exactly is the serving size of this smoothie, and do you know the fat and carb content?
Iowa Girl Eats 01.17.2012
It makes about 16oz.
julie 01.17.2012
Okay, do ya have to include the banana or is there something low carb I can substitute? I have been doing well on my current diet and carbs are a big part of that, but dang it, this smoothie sounds so good I want to try it.
Rose 01.15.2012
looove this! made it for dinner tonight, really good: i love spinach so i put a little more in, but if you don’t like the taste of spinach stick to around 4 cups.
Marissa 01.15.2012
I’m trying this week! I just started making smoothies each morning (Dr. Oz’s Green Drink is amazing), and this looks delicious!
Rosalyn 01.15.2012
How much does this recipe make?
Iowa Girl Eats 01.17.2012
It makes about 16oz
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Stefanie 01.14.2012
I didn’t measure exactly cause I have a small blender & I taste banana & peanut butter mostly. My 7 year son has been very excited to try this and he likes it. I do too. Thanks for the great way to get the spinich into my family. :)
Gloria 01.14.2012
This sounds good . I will have to try it. I learned the trick of slicing the bananas the hard way when I made frozen smoothies this summer. Thanks for sharing!!I love your log. I follow it faithfully.
Eva 01.13.2012
Thank you so much for sharing this! I found you on pinterst as well.
I have two very picky boys when it comes to most veggies and they love it! It’s a big hit in this house :). I’ve also shared it with friends and they’re all going to give it a try!