If you plan on consuming a fair share of green beer for St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow (also known as “National Drinking Day” in the holiday’s home country of Ireland), or if you’ve already been celebrating since the weekend, downing a nutrient dense smoothie like this can help your body recover faster. If you want to make it a little more like a (still healthy) milkshake and less like a smoothie you can try swapping the frozen banana and avocado for a scoop or two of plain coconut ice cream. Smoothies are really easy to digest since they are already blended up, this makes them a perfect snack or meal when your schedule is busy or if you are eating and drinking out at restaurants frequently. Super healthy foods like kale are completely overshadowed by the taste of everything else so they are also a good way to sneak in greens, even for those who do not normally like the taste or texture. As for the protein powder it is important to use one that you like the flavor of, and is preferably not too strong tasting or else it will overpower everything else. Most health food stores have individual packets of several brands in different flavors so you can test them out before buying a full container. As far as nutrition goes, it is best to choose a protein powder that does not have any processed sugars and preservatives, generally the best ones to go for have sprouted plant-based protein (seeds, nuts, grains and legumes; I find that the blends taste way better than the ones that just use one source like brown rice) or are one hundred percent whey protein (derived from dairy). The most important ingredient however for an authentic shamrock flavor (inspired by one of my favorite childhood fast food restaurants that I now avoid) is peppermint extract, it can be found in the baking section near the vanilla and other extracts in grocery and health food stores. If you have not tried putting this stuff in smoothies and you are a fan of mint it may change your entire smoothie experience, and chocoholics can add in a tablespoon or two of raw cacao for extra nutrients and a mint chocolate flavor.
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup kale or spinach
- 1 small avocado
- 1 frozen banana (peeled before freezing), chopped
- 2 dates, pits removed
- 1 scoop plain or vanilla protein powder
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- Optional: 1 sprig fresh mint
- Optional: 1 teaspoon of maca, lucuma, mesquite or other super food powder
- Optional: 1 teaspoon of chlorella, spirulina or other greens powder
- Throw everything in a blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy. If you are not used to peppermint in smoothies start with only ¼ teaspoon of the extract then add more if you would like. Add in some water to thin it out or ice to make it thicker and colder.
