I’m starting to experiment with Green Smoothies. I’m really curious to see how they have a positive impact on my energy level (and selfishly if there are any weight loss benefits). I think many of you know I’ve been seeing a nutritionist for almost a year. One of the things I have to focus on is getting more veggies in each meal. Sometimes I don’t do that great of a job doing getting my veggies.  I want to see if this makes a difference.  I’m don’t plan on using these as a meal replacement – more of a quick hit on getting my ‘greens’.

Yesterday, I was visiting my Aunt and Uncle.  The plan was for the 3 of us to go out for dinner.  We tried a steak place that didn’t seem to have their act together and we left before ever being seated.  And the next place we went to – we were seated relatively quickly, wait staff was great, I got my salad and then the wait started – and then we waited.  Somehow our order got lost – who knows.  The manager came over and apologized and told us the meal was on her – which was great – and then we waited some more.  Of course when the food finally came out – everything was cold except the plates and my sweet potato fries (which of course I had a few).  Needless to say we left (we did give our waitress a tip as this wasn’t her fault).  And we can go back for 3 free entrees.  The reason I told you this story is I left there and got home around 8 pm and I still need to eat dinner (and honestly I didn’t feel like cooking anything).  Perfect opportunity to make a Green Smoothie!

I grabbed this recipe off of Facebook from Amanda Hayes::Nutrition and Wellness Page (post dated March 14th).  I altered slightly for my preference though.  Her recipe calls for a banana and I skipped that since I haven’t been eating fruit.  Her recipe was for Peanut Butter and I opted for Almond Butter instead.

1 cup unsweetened almond milk (Trader Joe’s)
Few handfuls of torn up spinach
3-4 ice cubes
2 tablespoons raw cocoa powder (Navitas)
2 tablespoons flaxseed
1 tablespoon Almond Butter (Trader Joe’s)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablet of Blackleaf Stevia (I would use 2 next time – would’ve preferred a little sweeter)
pinch of sea salt (I used Himalayan)
pinch of cinnamon (I used more than a pinch)

I enjoyed it although it was an interesting color of green – a Happy St. Patrick’s Day Smoothie!