I know it sounds like an unlikely combo to put avocado in a smoothie, but it is actually the perfect fat to make something rich and creamy. Avocado’s healthy fats are called monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and those MUFAs can not only help lower cholesterol, but aid in getting rid of belly fat. Avocado has a mellow flavor, so this rich smoothie gets plenty of natural sweetness from the protein powder and banana. It’s finished with a fresh mint leaf, which has the power to calm the stomach and cool the mind. If no mint is available, feel free to just *just a drop* of mint essential oil…it’s powerful stuff! I use this smoothie as a way to conquer a sweet tooth in a healthy, nourishing way.
Ingredients
6 ounces creamy cashew milk
a small frozen ripe banana
2 tablespoons freshly scooped avocado (try to get the super green part close to the peel)
a small handful spinach
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tablespoon shaved dark chocolate
1 fresh mint leaf (or 1/8 teaspoon mint extract, or 1 drop of peppermint essential oil)
Preparation
1. In a high-powered blender, add the cashew milk, banana, scoops of avocado, spinach and protein powder. Blend on high. A key to making this smoothie successful is making sure the spinach is fully blended in – you should not be able to see any individual spinach leaves…the full smoothie should be a pretty color green.
2. Add mint and shaved dark chocolate to the blender, and pulse just a couple of times. Pour into a glass. Sip slowly!
I love mint chocolate! So yummy!