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.

All the ingredients for the Green Monster Smoothie

Green Monster Smoothie
Makes 1 serving

2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1 big handful spinach
1 banana
1 can (6 oz) pineapple juice
Juice of ¼ lemon or ½ lime
1 big handful ice

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.

Shared on Diet, Dessert and Dogs, and Michelle’s Tasty Creations