Spring Green Power Smoothie

Posted in Smoothies & Drinks

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It’s my absolute favorite time of year! Most of my friends love the fall, but I just adore the newness and freshness that spring brings. And in the area of the country that I live in, the absence of lush green life from November – February makes you that much more appreciative of every tree, bug and sunshine when spring rolls around!

One of the ways I like to soak up spring is to switch up our eating habits a bit – I’ll often make the kids and I a nutrient-packed fresh smoothie for lunch, just to do something different. I notice this gives us more energy as we spend a day homeschooling and running errands (I prefer the schooling over the errands!)

This green sidekick carries some muscle – it has 91% of the vitamin A you need for the day! Thanks to fresh spinach for that.

Here’s the way I like to think of each ingredient’s purpose in this fresh spring smoothie:

spinach = energy-giver
banana = nature’s power bars
pineapple = inflammation-reducer
avocado = skin-helper
golden flaxseed = plant-based omega-3s
…and the protein powder, is optional, but recommended for boost to give you endurance for the rest of the day! Think of this kind of smoothie as a high-energy meal replacement.


I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy spring! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Ingredients

1/2-1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (from a carton)
2 big handfuls fresh spinach
1 small freckly banana, frozen
1/2 cup of fresh sweet pineapple, frozen
1 tablespoon of creamy ripe avocado
2 tablespoons ground golden flaxseed
1 scoop vanilla protein powder

Preparation

1.) Add the coconut milk and spinach to a food processor. Blend until the little leaves are completely smooth (or almost completely smooth).
2.) Add the rest of the ingredients – scoop the avocado straight in, and blend until the drink is a bright, pretty green. Enjoy!

Serving size: 1 smoothie
Nutrition facts without protein powder: calories: 245, total fat: 9.9g, saturated fat: 1.6g, polyunsaturated fat: .6g, monounsaturated fat: 1.7, sodium: 101mg, potassium: 898mg, carbohydrate: 39g, fiber: 9.3g, sugars: 6.6g, protein: 7g.

Nutrition facts with protein powder: calories: 345, total fat: 9.9g, saturated fat: 1.6g, polyunsaturated fat: .6g, monounsaturated fat: 1.7g, sodium: 252mg, potassium: 1,288mg, carbohydrate: 39g, fiber: 9.3g, sugars: 6.6g, protein: 32g.