Popeye's favourite food is my number one smoothie ingredient. Unquestionably. It's the first thing that goes in my blender each morning. Handfuls of it. I probably eat 2kgs (4.5lbs) of it a week.
To me, spinach is the easiest green leaf to eat because it's the least bitter. However, even though the flavour is passive, the nutrition isn't. Spinach is one of the healthiest ingredients on the planet. Vitamin A, C, K, folate, magnesium, manganese, iron. There's even a small hit of omega-3 fatty acids. Spinach is a legitimate multivitamin.
And there's no easier way to eat Popeye's green than throwing it in the blender. It takes seconds.
Eat More Spinach With These 5 Green Smoothies
1. Choc Mint
Inspired by the classic ice cream flavour, this six ingredient smoothie is special. Mint will settle your stomach and freshen your breath and spinach will improve everything else.
The healthy chocolate flavour is created with unsweetened cocoa and pitted dates. Did you know that cocoa is one of the best sources of iron, magnesium and zinc? I didn't.
Ingredients:
- Spinach - 2 cups
- Mint - 1 cup
- Frozen banana
- Cocoa powder - 1 tablespoon
- Pitted dates - 3
- Almond milk - 1 cup
- Ice - 1/2 cup
Method:
- Blend until creamy
2. Green Horchata
If you've been to Mexico, or your local Mexican restaurant is a good one, then you know Horchata. Or 'orxata' as Wikipedia tells me. The 'H' is silent. It actually has Egyptian and Spanish roots but Mexico made it their own.
There's so many different versions but the basic premise is homemade rice milk made with cinnamon and vanilla. The first time I was introduced to it was on a secluded beach in Xpu-Ha. It was wonderfully mixed with mezcal. Which is a surprising combo but the Mexicans know what they're doing. I had more of the virgin variety the next day. Delicious stuff. Sweet, subtle and not too heavy.
Looking for the perfect recipe online I also saw that some versions are made out of sesame seeds. So I thought I'd include sesame seed nut butter, aka tahini, to thicken up our smoothie and bring in more protein. It's also one of the best sources of calcium.
I also added smoothies staples, spinach and banana, bringing in more creamy nutrients. Now it's completely untraditional, but dang healthy.
Ingredients
- Rice milk - 1 cup
- Cinnamon - 1 teaspoon
- Vanilla paste - 1/2 teaspoon
- Tahini - 1 tablespoon
- Frozen banana - 1
- Spinach - 2 cups
- Maple syrup - 1 tablespoon
- Ice - 1/2 cup
Method
- Blend until creamy
3. Peanut Butter Biceps
This is my afternoon delight. It's either going to get me to the gym or the good fats and delicious flavours are going to stimulate my mental cognition and satisfy my sweettooth. Peanut Butter Biceps gets me through my day.
Ingredients:
- Spinach - 2 cups
- Frozen banana - 1 1/2
- Peanut butter - 1 tablespoon
- Chocolate protein - 1/2 scoop (we like Rawfusion)
- Almond milk - 1 cup
Method:
- Blend until creamy
4. Energizer Bunny
Remember the Energizer battery commercials? That bunny was a nutcase. Now you can be the nutcase.
Ingredients:
- Cold coffee - 1 cup
- Spinach - 2 cups
- Frozen banana - 1
- Rolled oats - 1/2 cup
- Raw honey - 1 tablespoon
- Ice - 1/2 cup
Method:
- Blend until creamy
5. Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is rife. If you go to the gym or you take shortcuts with your diet, then your body is inflamed. Help repair the damage quicker with this anti-inflammatory smoothie We found the strongest inflammation fighting foods and turned them into a delicious smoothie.
Ingredients:
- Spinach - 2 cups
- Frozen pineapple - 1/2 cup
- Walnuts - 1/2 cup
- Ginger, peeled - 1 inch
- Turmeric powder - 1 teaspoon
- Raw honey - 1 tablespoon
- Almond milk - 1 cup
- Ice - 1/2 cup
Method:
- Blend until creamy