Spinach and Pineapple Green Smoothie

The summer weather in New Hampshire this week has been HOT to say the least! I find that the only kind of food I want in my body is cold as ice. However, I have promised myself I wouldn’t overindulge in ice cream this year (I’m breaking up with Ben & Jerry’s vegan line, sorry). I’ve got to be healthier,  but I still need some sort of treat on these scalding hot summer days!

Instead, I have been experimenting with smoothie recipes trying to find one that hits that perfect sweet spot between healthy and satisfying. After day of trying every combination of fruit and veggie possible, I came up with this unique yet delicious drink. I consider it a meal in a glass, because it Is full of nutrients and lush fruits and veggies.

The muted star in this smoothie is certainly the spinach! While its green color is striking, the flavor disappears within the fruit. All that is left is its insane nutritional profile, offering a great source of fiber, potassium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin k & so much more!

The Pineapple is an absolute *must* in this recipe. Without it, you’ve made a serious mistake. The sweetness of the pineapple is what makes this smoothie so great, and it also offers of a handful of its own nutrients: vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, calcium & more!

This green smoothie is  –Refreshing

                                                -Healthy

                                                -Satisfying

                                                -Delicious

                                                -The perfect summer treat

In fact, this smoothie is SO good that even my boyfriend was caught green-handed (photo above). That  is true proof that this smoothie is a must-try and once you try it, you won’t want to put it down either!

Ingredients:

2 cups spinach

2 cups pineapple (if frozen, thaw first)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup water

½ cup milk

1 banana

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (opt)

Procedure:

1. Add the spinach and the water to a blender and blend until smooth
2. Add everything else to the blender and blend until smooth! For thicker smoothies, add another banana and/or less water
3. Apple Cider Vinegar pairs surprisingly well with the pineapple in this smoothie. It is a super food that aids with digestion and has many other health benefits—so I recommend giving it a try!