Healthy is a Habit: My Favorite Green Smoothie!

I posted the above pic of my green smoothie, and as is usually the case, I always get a lot of attention for them, with people asking the proverbial question: "So what's in it?"

I didn't come to green smoothies enthusiastically. In fact, I hated them at first.

I have to give credit where credit is due.




If it weren't for comedian Erica Watson and her healthy living group on Facebook SensuWell Sirens a few years ago, I probably wouldn't have wanted to even try green smoothies again. The first one I tried was a popular store brand green smoothie that was meh to say the least. I drank it, but in looking at the nutrition label, the 17g of sugar was a sad eye opener and not a good look. The other smoothie, I had purchased at a health food shop that made smoothies as part of a 21 day self-improvement challenge. My verdict? Meh, again.


However, when Erica created an "Ooo Baby I Like It Raw!" monthly challenge in the group. I was compelled to take part, and knew that this was a key opportunity to try and get some of these veggies in daily. So, I did my research and settled on  a recipe from a great healthy living blog, Oh She Glows, but decided to give it my own twist (when do I not?) One of the lovely ladies in the SensuWell Sirens group had posted a recipe for a pear smoothie. It was similar enough to the recipe I found, except she added pears.

My road to smoothie redemption began three years ago on the morning of April 2nd (because I didn't want to fool myself making this smoothie on April 1st. *snicker*) I pulled out the love of my culinary life  my Ninja blender and got started.

I was happy that it didn't take long, as I was already running late (darn those late night  but oh-so-necessary gal pal phone calls until midnight! They make for difficult getting up when the alarm rings at 5:45am. And again at 6:00am. And then again at 6:15am. But I digress.)

The results? Delicious! It was so good! Green smoothies are now part of my healthy living routine. 

Except those kale recipes. Drinking kale still scares me. *shudders* Much rather indulge on my kale in chip form.

Ms. Aja B.'s Green Smoothie
adapted from Oh She Glows Green Monster Smoothie & Pear Smoothie from Sistah in the Raw

Yield: 1 serving/2 cups

Ingredients:
•1 cup almond milk, or milk of choice (I used vanilla almond milk)
•1 ripe banana, peeled & frozen
•2 generous handfuls organic spinach
•1 pear, cored and roughly chopped (I used an Anjou pear, but most recipes I see call for a Bartlet. The Anjou worked wonderfully for me).
•1-3 ice cubes
•1/4 teaspoon freshly grated ginger, optional
•protein powder of choice, optional


Directions:
Add your milk of choice, spinach, and if you are using it, protein powder, to the blender. Blend for about 30 seconds. Add the banana, pear, and ginger if using . Blend until smooth. Add in your ice cubes and blend some more. Serves 1- about 2 cups.

Some of my other favorite combinations include:
•Substituting frozen mango and pineapple for the pear
•Including superfoods like chia seeds and coconut oil
•Instead of almond milk, try substituting coconut water or even brewed, cooled green tea.

Have you tried a green smoothie yet? Do you love them? What do you put in yours?