Green (Monster) Smoothie

We usually prepare a week's worth of smoothies every weekend for a quick breakfast/evening "snack" when we are too tired to make something. Our favorite smoothie combination is berries, banana, apples, natural protein powder, and milk. And no sugar ever. This week, inspired by the Green Monster Movement, I tried a green smoothie and it turned out yummy! It does need more ingredients than a regular fruit smoothie that requires just fruits, milk and protein powder. But the nutritive value of this green smoothie far outweighs the cost of spending a few minutes to assemble the ingredients. And it tastes good too! The husband detests kale and raw spinach, but even he called it "decent", which is saying something. I don't receive any superlative adulation ever (or hardly any adulation for that matter) so "decent" and "okay" are gold standards to aspire!

This smoothie is nutritious, easy to make, filling, and pleasant on the palate. I added a bunch of other ingredients to mask the bitterness and raw taste of Kale. Peanut butter and yogurt are for protein and probiotics, flax seeds are for fiber and omega-fatty acids, almonds for texture, taste, and more omega goodness, and maple syrup for flavor and slight sweetness.

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup blueberries
2. 1 banana
3. 3 handfuls spinach
4. 2 handfuls torn Kale leaves (about 4 leaves)
5. 1/3 cup yogurt
6. low fat milk (as needed to thin the smoothie to desired consistency)
7. 1/2 cup almonds
8. 1/4 cup peanut butter
9. 3 tablespoons flax seeds, or ground flax seeds
10. 2 tablespoons maple syrup (optional of course)

Blend everything together to make a yummy smoothie! This makes 5 cups of smoothie. You can get creative and add other combinations of fruits, nuts, cocoa powder etc. I plan to add spirulina powder and wheat grass the next time. My smoothies are going green from today!