Coconut Banana smoothie

When I make a green smoothie it is usually for its nutrient dense qualities not as a way to get in more fruit. Fruit is easy, right? Since we gave up dairy, yes, ice cream is dairy, we sometimes find we need a frozen little snack to soothe the inner child in us. This one doesn’t skimp on flavor and can even work as a post workout/nutrition boost/cool down snack. Bet kids could even call it breakfast. How many kids get greens for breakfast and actually enjoy them?? They’ll never know it is so good for them, it tastes that good. You can easily also get in 10 of your grams of your daily fiber with this snacky, little drink. Seriously, 1/3 of your daily fiber in a smoothie small enough to not overwhelm? How’s that for eating healthy?

Coconut, banana smoothie

1/2 c your choice of milk, I prefer Silk original coconut milk
1 banana, frozen. When bananas get speckled, I chunk them up and toss them into a bag in the freezer. In our freezer, 9 chunks equals 1 small banana.
2 TBS Peanut Wonder, our new favorite Peanut Butter, or use whatever you prefer
2 large leaves of kale, roughly torn or chopped. Two large handfuls of spinach works, also.
2 TBS protein powder, optional
1 TBS unsweetened coconut
1 TBS Chia powder
1 TBS flax-seed
1 dash of coconut extract

Toss the flax into your blender and give it a quick spin to break the outer shell and release their nutrients. Too long will defeat the purpose, not buzzing them will prevent the release of nutrients though you’ll still get the fiber benefits. I love my Vitamix but I’m sure any blender will work, if your banana chunks are smaller and your kale is chopped. Add the milk next, then everything else and whirl away, until smooth. You may need to add a dash more milk, depending on how much or how frozen your bananas are.

You could always mix it up by adding 2 TBS cocoa powder and vanilla extract instead of coconut. Almond or soy milk instead of coconut. Almond butter instead of peanut butter. So many options. And as healthy as you want it to be.