Name: Green Monster Smoothie
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/4 c milk (or water or milk alternative); 1/2 c spinach leaves (packed); 2/3 c light nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt ((1 - 6 oz container)); 1 frozen banana; 1 tbsp peanut butter; 1-2 ice cubes (optional)

This Green Monster Smoothie is creamy and full of flavor. It's packed with nutrients and lots of protein making it a healthy, satisfying breakfast or snack!

Mornings are hectic for us these days. Get the kids up and ready for daycare, let the dog out, grab workout clothes and get out the door at a decent time. A healthy, filling breakfast is hard to do in those "gotta-get-movin" moments.

But it's so important. For me, I know I'll have a better day if it starts off with a tasty breakfast and a workout. This Green Monster Smoothie is SO creamy, packed with protein and comes together in just a few minutes!

What goes into a Green Monster Smoothie?

Spinach - I like using baby spinach, but regular works, too! You can also try other greens such as kale, collard greens, carrot tops, etc. Spinach is my favorite, though, as it adds tons of nutrients without a bitter flavor.
Greek Yogurt - I almost always have light nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt on hand, and that's what I like in smoothies. You could also use plain Greek yogurt (if you do that, I'd also recommend adding a tablespoon of honey for sweetness).
Frozen Bananas - Peel a few bananas, cut them into large chunks and freeze. Then when you need them, you just pop them into the blender! I prefer using frozen fruit rather than ice, as it brings flavor and doesn't water down the smoothie.
Milk - You'll need some sort of liquid. You can use cow's milk, almond milk, soy milk, etc.
Peanut Butter - I like to add just enough to give it a boost of flavor and creaminess. Use regular creamy peanut butter or natural - whatever you've got on hand is great!

Other Smoothie add-ins

Protein powder
Flax seed (high in omega-3 fatty acids)
Chia seeds (added fiber and protein)
Peanut butter powder (extra peanut butter flavor and protein)
Frozen berries (extra nutrients, sweetness, color)

milk and spinach in a blender — 1. Add milk and greens to a blender.

blended together milk and spinach — 1. Add milk and greens to a blender.

How to make the Green Monster Smoothie dairy-free

If you're sensitive to dairy, it's quite simple to make a couple changes to make this recipe dairy-free. Swap the milk out for your favorite milk alternative (soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, etc). Then replace the yogurt with dairy-free yogurt OR ½ a ripe avocado + 1 tablespoon honey.

Smoothie Tips

Always blend the greens and the liquid first. This will ensure that your smoothie is free of leafy pieces.
Use frozen fruit rather than ice. Using frozen fruit will help thicken the smoothie without watering it down like ice might do.
Prep ahead of time. Peel and chop bananas and place in individual baggies in the freezer to speed things up.
Freeze leftover spinach. Have spinach in the fridge that's about to go bad? Toss it in the freezer and use it the next time you make a smoothie!

Green Monster Smoothie in a glass jar with a straw

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