Spinach Smoothies

Isn’t that an amazing color?

I know, you’re all thinking “eeuw…raw spinach for breakfast?” but hang in there with me for a minute!  This is such an easy way to include a huge helping of greens in your diet without even noticing it!  I made both of these this week after feeling the need to have something REALLY healthy!

I mentioned yesterday that Irving is traveling this week (as he often does), and that I’ve had a little bit too much time to peruse the internet.  I don’t know about you, but sometimes I read about all of the healthy things people are eating, and how they are raw and gluten free and sugar free and processed free and I begin to feel like I should just eat air from here on out.  While I think I do a pretty decent job at feeding my family healthy foods, I have a super sweet tooth, and am not a fan of portion control.    I do my best, but I am also realistic.  I prefer to eat yummy food, not cardboard tasting crackers and wheat grass!

So…here are two recipes that combine really healthy veggies and vitamins with a great taste.  They clock in between 220 and 325 calories (for the entire smoothie—not bad for an entire meal), with high amounts of vitamins A , B6, C and E, potassium, fiber, Iron, and Calcium, with no added sugar (Calorie Count).  The Chocolate Peanut Butter Spinach Smoothie is high in protein as well.  I made the “CPBSS” yesterday and David was begging for more.  If your kids react to the bright green color, tell them its “Hulk” juice and ask them to just give it a taste.  Ease your way in with the spinach…start with just 1 cup and work up from there.  It really does blend right in and you will be surprised at how strong the sweet taste of the banana is—bananas are great for masking all sorts of other healthy foods.  If you love the spinach, work your way up from there…kale is also delicious and packed with even more nutrients, but is a bit healthier tasting  🙂

When did my baby turn in to this big boy? Yikes, must be feeding him too much spinach!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Spinach Smoothie (CPBSS)
3 c spinach
1 banana
1 T dates
1 T peanut butter
1 T cocoa
1 c non-dairy milk (I like Almond Breeze Almond Coconut blend, for just 60 calories per 8 oz serving)
handful of ice cubes

Mama + toddler

Matcha Green Tea Spinach Smoothie
3 c spinach
1 banana
1 t matcha (can be found at Whole Foods, or at Asian specialty stores.  It’s a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way.  I use this often, and will post a recipe for yummy green tea muffins soon so you’ll have another use for it if you invest!)
1 T dates
1 c non-dairy milk (I like Almond Breeze Almond Coconut blend, for just 60 calories per 8 oz. serving)
handful of ice cubes

Intense!

Place all ingredients (for one smoothie or the other) into a blender.  Blend on high until all ingredients are combined and smooth.  You may need to stop and stir part way through if you don’t have a super high powered blender.  This serves 1 adult, or 1 mama + toddler!

Toddler Variation: After I poured my smoothie, I added 1/4 c of baby cereal (I like this one from Earth’s Best) and blended again before serving David.  The baby cereal just dissolves right in, and is packed with even more nutrients!

Give it a try—think of how good you’ll feel all day knowing that you ate veggies for breakfast!