healthy shamrock smoothie {mint, banana, coconut milk, greens}

In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow, here is a healthy smoothie to give a lucky green kick to your week! 

Plus, it’s an excuse to share another green smoothie combo.

I’ve been whipping this one up daily this past week. And you can bet I’ll be enjoying it tomorrow.

Fresh mint leaves gives this smoothie a refreshing twist.

This recipe is inspired from a smoothie on the blog Cupcakes & Kale Chips. Her smoothie was a healthy version of McDonald’s Shamrock Shake. It called for mint extract.  I personally love using fresh mint. It just feels better. More natural.

Now, I will be honest…I don't remember the last time I had McDonald’s and I’ve never had their Shamrock Shake (just not a milkshake girl, no hating). But, my brother-in-law looks forward to the Shamrock Shake every year, so I will assume they are delish. Which is exactly what my smoothie is.   

But what my smoothie also has going for it… is that it is sooo good for you. 

I add chia seeds and eat it in the morning, post-workout.  But, you can enjoy it as a refreshing treat any time of the day.

Are you hesitant about using spinach or kale? Don’t worry, you can’t taste the spinach at all. 

Putting greens in your smoothies is an easy & sneaky way to get in some daily leafy vegetables. Like Heidi Klum recently said in Women’s Health Magazine, veggie-packed smoothies are  "an insurance policy,“ guaranteeing you get in vitamins before the day gets too hectic.

For a debloating drink, I make this dairy-free by using natural coconut milk. I’ve also been really into using coconut water, which also works great. 

The other day, I used ½ cup coconut water and ½ cup coconut milk…

Now that was a great day.

Healthy Shamrock Smoothie

Makes 1-2 servings

(Recipe adapted from cupcakesandkalechips.com)

• 1 large banana, frozen
• 1 big handful fresh spinach (or a power mix of kale, spinach, chard)
• ¾ - 1 cup coconut milk (I prefer SO Delicious Coconut Milk, plain. But, you can use any type milk: skim, soy, almond)
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• 5-7 fresh mint leaves (or ¼ tsp. mint extract)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds, optional
• ice cubes, optional

Directions:

- Blend milk, banana and greens until smooth. Add chia, mint, vanilla extract. Blend. 

- To make it a more of a shake-like consistency, add about ¾ cup ice cubes and blend.

Keep it cool. Keep it green.