Spinach smoothie (aka "my go-to breakfast")

The funny thing about living in the Boulder area is that no matter how hard I try (ok, not that hard honestly), I never feel as fit as everyone else in this triathlon-training/whole foods-eating/organic-loving town.  These crazies certainly set the bar high when it comes to healthy living.  And as a new mom who has no idea what she's doing half the time, I barely have time to scarf down my meals these days, let alone ingest something well-balanced........what's wrong with leftover taco meat slathered in hummus?  I usually bolt down coffee & let the day unfold from there.  Not sweet.

So I've been forcing myself to make healthy smoothies every morning again (I fell off the smoothie wagon a couple years ago).  I think homemade smoothies are fast, filling, much healthier than their store-bought counterparts, & so versatile.  Plus I can control the amount of sugar & such that goes in it.  Here's a favorite concoction that I adapted from this recipe my sister-in-law Tamara sent my way --thanks T!  (Added bonus that there's an Iowa connection, ha.)

SIDENOTE: I found early on (month 1) thru some trial & error that Quinn has a lactose sensitivity, so I've been on a dairy-free diet ever since.  My smoothie version consists of coconut milk yogurt (love the SO brand) & rice milk, but they can easily be swapped out for dairy products of your liking.

Spinach Smoothie
(Serves 1)

Ingredients

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1 cup milk
1 spoonful smooth peanut butter (preferably with no hydrogenated oils)
2 heaping handfuls baby spinach
1 frozen banana, sliced (tip: slice before freezing)
2-3 strawberries, sliced (frozen could be good too)
1 teaspoon flaxseed

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender & close lid.
2. Blend on 'liquefy' setting for 30 seconds or so.  Stop, remove lid & scrape inside of blender to ensure every ingredient gets combined.
3. Replace lid & liquefy for additional 30 seconds (or until desired consistency).  Enjoy.






P.S. I personally love spinach, but to those who are wary of the green color: you can't even taste the spinach.  All you taste is healthy deliciousness wrapped in rainbows & unicorns.  Promise. (I've never tasted unicorn, just saying.)

Do you have a favorite smoothie recipe?  I'd love to hear it!