Green Monster Smoothie
It seems as though most of the healthy things I’ve been featuring have been green. There’s Green Enchiladas. The Green Spinach Quinoa Muffins. Green salads. Perhaps that’s because spinach just seems so perfect. Healthy. Bright. Vibrant green colors! Full of vitamin C, beta-carotene, lutein, fiber, iron. It works as an anti-inflammatory and helps fight cancer. It’s the real-deal when it comes to tasty and healthy.
This Spinachy Green Monster Smoothie’s great for a detox or cleanse, helps alkalize your system, it’s refreshing, smooth, and packed with those healthy vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. And, best of all, it totally makes you feel energized!
If the idea of a veggie smoothie turns you off, I can honestly say that you can’t taste the spinach in this. It simply tastes like a glass of pineapple-banana juice. Yummy! And, the smoothie’s lighter that you might expect; it’s a great way to cool down on a hot summer day.
There are many versions of the Green Monster Smoothie out there and there’s even a Green Smoothie Detox Diet Book; this is my version of the smoothie: it’s vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, and yummy. I love this drink both because it’s uber-healthy, and because it’s super-delish.
I prefer Meyer lemons, if you can get your hands on those, use ‘em; they taste so much better than regular lemons! You can freeze the banana if you wish, but it isn’t necessary. Also, try to use an over-ripe banana; it’ll be sweeter. All I can get lately are really green ones, so I leave them to ripen for a week, but end up eating them before they become super-ripe.
Green Monster Smoothie Recipe
Green Monster Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves (big handful)
- 1 banana
- 6 ounces pineapple juice
- Juice of ¼ lemon or ½ lime
- 1 big handful ice
Instructions
- Place the ingredients into the blender in the following order: flax, spinach, banana, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. The reason for this order is so the heavier ingredients weigh down the lighter ones, keeping them from flying up & around the blender and sticking to the side. Blend for about 1 minute, add ice, and blend again until smooth. Pour into a big glass. And, for extra fun, serve with a paper umbrella; they make everything taste better.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Wow what a treat!
Looks so good ~ nutritious and delicious ;D
Thanks for sharing at my Potluck Party!
xo
I love green smoothies–and this sounds like such a good one. Thanks so much for linking up to WellnessWeekend! 🙂
Sounds delicious and healthy. I love spinach so this smoothie would be great for me.
Beautiful and delicious and healthy~it’s a winner for sure!
This looks so tasty! Thanks for sharing on Smoothie Tuesday today.
Excellent smoothie there! I like mine pretty simple and as its summer here, I have been having a lot of home grown spinach, a cup of ice cubes, a cup of water, a few dates, a frozen banana and occasionally some cubed frozen fresh peaches (if I have these I omit the ice cubes) and I am buzzing 🙂
I love smoothies and make one every day. I haven’t added flaxseeds to my drinks, I’ll have to remember to add them for additional healthy boost. Thanks so much for sharing.
Sometimes I add some nutritional yeast powder as well, for a boost of B vitamins and a savory taste. Thanks for stopping by, Joanne!
I love paper umbrellas. You are right, If I had this drink I know it would taste delicious. I love the vivid color too.
Such a yummy smoothie!
This is just what I need to start the New Year! All of the holiday foods have pushed me over the edge! So delicious! Nettie
Another awesomely green recipe to start eating/drinking healthful this New Year.
I love all kinds of green smoothies and yours look fantastic! I am even thinking my grandkids may be willing to try it…hmmmm! 🙂
I love green smoothies!! So yummy. THis looks like a good recipe to try!
Perfect type drink to start my new year off right.
This smoothie looks and sounds fantastic! I love green smoothies but have gotten away from them recently. It is actually one of my new year’s resolutions to get back to them and this recipe would be perfect!!
I’ve been experimenting with smoothies ever since I got my Blendtec. I like that you added pineapple juice, I think the sweetness would make it tastier.