Spinach Banana Smoothie

You will soon learn to know about my love for spinach...okay, it's not my favorite vegetable but the health benefits make it part of my family's regular diet. 

This is one of my favorite spinach smoothies.  If you don't have any bananas but have lots of spinach, try this recipe. 

Chocolate Spinach Smoothie

1 cup dark chocolate almond milk (or other kind of chocolate milk, if plain add cocoa) 

2 cups fresh spinach 

1 frozen banana

1/2 cup ice

1 scoop of protein powder (optional, I like Whey Protein)

Put everything in the blender and blend until smooth.  Makes 2 cups.

Spinach Banana Smoothie

Why eat spinach?  Spinach is extremely rich in antioxidants.  It's a rich source of vitamin A, C, E, K, magnesium, manganese, folate, betaine, iron, viamin B2, calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, folic acid, copper, protein, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids.  In fact, side-by-side, spinach has more iron than a hamburger!

Bananas are a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Potassium, Manganese, and Vitamin B6.  

Bananas freeze really well.  If you catch them on sale, pick up some extras and throw them in the freezer.

Guacamole Recipe

Guacamole

My family loves avocados and we also love guacamole.  I got this recipe from the Vitamix Savor Recipes cookbook and it was delicious.  

When I used to make guacamole I would take my potato masher and mash everything together.  I have to say, making it in a blender is so much easier!  I am also not a huge fan of raw onions, but they are pretty good in this recipe.  Here is how I make guacamole in a Vitamix.

Guacamole in a Blender

1 Roma tomato, quartered, divided use

4 ripe avocados, halved, pitted, peeled, divided use

1/2 cup chopped red onion

2 Tbs lemon juice (I just squeezed the juice of one lemon)

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves (I used basil leaves since that's what I had)

1 tsp salt

1. Place 1/4 tomato, 1/2 an avocado, onion, lemon juice, cilantro, and salt into your blender

2. Blend for 20 seconds or until ingredients are mixed.  If ingredients get stuck, push them down into the blades.

3. Add remaining tomato and avocados into the blender and blend for 1 additional minute.

4. Do not over mix and leave chunky.  Serve with tortilla chips or chopped vegges such as carrots and celery.

Note: For a spicier guacamole, add 1/2 jalapeno pepper during step 1.  

Also, if you like garlic you can add a fresh clove of garlic or some garlic powder to taste in step 1.

Chocolate Spinach Smoothie Recipe

Chocolate Spinach Smoothie

Sometimes it's hard to get kids to eat spinach. Hey, sometimes it's hard to get me to eat spinach. But spinach and other leafy greens are rich in nutrients. One easy way to get your family to eat more spinach is to make it into a smoothie.  This is my quick pick me up spinach drink that actually tastes good.

Chocolate Spinach Smoothie

1 cup dark chocolate almond milk (or other kind of chocolate milk, if plain add cocoa) 

1 cup fresh spinach 

1/2 cup ice

Put everything in the blender and blend until smooth.  Makes 2 cups.

Why eat spinach?  Spinach is extremely rich in antioxidants.  It's a rich source of vitamin A, C, E, K, magnesium, manganese, folate, betaine, iron, viamin B2, calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, folic acid, copper, protein, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids.  In fact, side-by-side, spinach has more iron than a hamburger!