Creamy Green Smoothie

There's just something about a green smoothie that makes me happy. And this one in particular, since it's creamy, green AND delicious. Bananas are the key ingredient to this smoothie, and more specifically: a frozen banana. Aka the key to creaminess.

Recently I've been helping my parents refinish their deck. While I enjoy the challenge, I also need the right fuel for lots of time in the sun with my handy dandy belt sander. This smoothie is great fuel for just that!

Creamy Green Smoothie (serves 1 - 2)

2 bananas
1 frozen banana
1 - 2 stalks of pineapple
3 - 4 dates
2 cups of cold water (or coconut water)
2 big leaves of kale

Put all ingredients into blender (loading the soft ingredients towards the bottom) and blend away! Serve in a mason jar with a straw and enjoy :)

Classic Green Smoothie

In the past I have tried several green smoothie recipes (most of which were developed in my head) and none of them really blew me away.  I was always trying to just add greens into a smoothie I already knew I'd enjoy, and something about that just wasn't right.

Last night I YouTubed "Best Green Smoothie" and learned quite a bit.  Of course there are greens, but the fruit you choose is quite important.  A very ripe banana or pineapple will add enough sweetness to counteract the bitterness of the greens -  making it more palatable! 

I decided it was time to finally master a green smoothie. 

And it turned out GREAT! Way better than I had expected.  It tastes sweet, with a hint of greens, and the aftertaste is not bitter because of the banana.  I have a feeling this has changed the way I will think about smoothies.  YUM.

Classic Green Smoothie (serves ~ 1-2)

1 cup spinach

1 cup kale

1 ripe banana

1.5 cups chopped pineapple

2 tbsp. unsweetened coconut

2 cups water (feel free to use coconut water instead)

1/2 - 1 cup of ice

Blend away until completely smooth and serve in a mason jar :)  Enjoy!