I’ve been so into green monsters lately. Usually, in the winter I drink fewer green monsters because I’m so freakin’ cold all the time that I can’t bear the thought of putting something frozen in my gullet.
I’m sorry I said gullet.
Anyway, while doing Insanity, I’ve been really wanting to drink green monsters every day, and when I don’t, I miss them. I find that I do best drinking them for breakfast, because by the time I get home from work I am starving and I want a hot, cooked meal. A green monster won’t do it.
A green monster for breakfast, however, hits the spot.
Usually I have them with a hard-boiled egg or some cottage cheese on the side, since the smoothie alone isn’t enough protein for me to be full until noon. I’ve also been drinking plainer green monsters lately–fruit and spinach, with fewer add-ins, like nuts, oats, protein powders, chocolate, peanut butter, etc. Not because I don’t believe it that anymore, just ’cause that’s what I want.
I can’t really explain the way my stomach (gullet) works. But here’s a green monster recipe for you anyway!
Strawberry Banana Green Monster
- 2 handfuls baby spinach
- 1 ripe banana
- 6-7 frozen strawberries
- 1-2 C milk (I used vanilla almond milk today–super delicious flavor…sorry Dad!)
- honey/agave to sweeten (optional)
Combine as for any green monster: spinach on the bottom, banana and strawberries on top, and milk poured over. You may need to mix everything up a bit as you blend, depending on how powerful (or not) your blender is.
Blend until smooth.
This green monster is fruity and refreshing–exactly the flavor that I’ve been wanting so much lately.
Maybe my green monster cravings have come from all that post-holiday heavy food regret. It feels so good to start the day in a healthy and delicious way (and to pack in so much of the daily vitamin and fiber requirements in one meal!).
Plus, can you really go wrong with strawberry and banana? And we all know I wouldn’t be mad if you added some coconut to go in a bit of a tropical direction.
Or mango.
Or chocolate.
Like I said before, I usually add some extra food to this to make it a filling meal. Please don’t think that I can drink a few handfuls of spinach and a banana and feel full for more than 15 minutes.
Behind the scenes:
Henry thinks anything near a window is his territory.
Henry’s stepbrother is coming in a few days! We are picking him up from the airport on Saturday. I know that I’ve been talking about this nonstop for about a month, but I’m really excited to see how they get along, and have another snuggly furry friend around this place. Hopefully it’s love at first sight for Henry and Emerson.
Dreamy cat:
Also, isn’t it the little things that make life so awesome? For instance, I am waaaay too excited to order Subway for lunch at work tomorrow (using a gift card that was given to the office by one of our patients), just because it’s different. How many Subway sandwiches have I had? A lot. But ordering it at work with friends is somehow much more exciting. Especially because I am really hardcore about bringing lunch and rarely buying it.
Have a beautiful Friday!
9 comments
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Florence
January 4, 2013 at 5:20 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Happy new year to you and to your beautiful (and clever) cat.I like your glass and this recipe is a good idea after christmas and new year’s eve!
Caitlin
January 4, 2013 at 1:53 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m not sure if I’m the only one, but nothing shows up in the Name and Email fields even though I type it and it seems to recognize it on your end… It’s odd.
This looks pretty tasty. I like the taste of the oats and nuts but man those calories get crazy when you’re not doing anything to burn them off.
I can’t wait until Henry meets his new brother! I didn’t think your blog could get any better but one more cat seems to do it. lol
Lauren Zietsman
January 4, 2013 at 4:52 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
gahh…I’ll have to check it again. Thanks!
Julia {The Roasted Root}
January 4, 2013 at 2:22 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This healthful, delicious green smoothie is exactly what I need in order to get my jeans to fit right again after the holidays
Great recipe for a well-balanced, healthy smoothie!
Allen
January 4, 2013 at 11:45 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Ok seriously – where did you get that glass – WANT!
Lauren Zietsman
January 4, 2013 at 11:51 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Anthropologie…and it’s on sale right now, I believe! Small juice glass
Leah Ferguson
February 20, 2013 at 3:18 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Lauren, I just had to tell you that my little daughters–ages 5 and 21/2–are OBSESSED with this green monster. I mean, really obsessed. They ask me to make it every. single. day (I use vanilla almond milk, which probably turns it into more of a dessert, but hey, that’s okay!). I’m so glad you posted this–thank you! Nothing makes me happier than being able to stuff them full of spinach and fruit and hear them ask for seconds.
Lauren Zietsman
February 21, 2013 at 10:32 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
So happy to hear it!
Lauren Zietsman
February 21, 2013 at 10:33 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
and vanilla milk does not a dessert make–still a smoothie full of fruits and vegetables, so be proud!