why is this smoothie a "powerhouse?" well, it's got basically everything that's good for you in one glass (or bowl, if that's more your style). it's also crazy-delicious, which doesn't hurt either. i promise, you won't taste the spinach AT ALL—all you'll taste is sweet, delicious tea with a tiny, earthy boost from the green tea.
it's got some sort-of trendy ingredients, like matcha (green tea powder) and chia seeds—but trendy or not, they're seriously good for you and loaded with nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. but if you can't easily find these ingredients, you can easily source them online at retail sites like amazon.com. or, if you'd rather not have to buy an ingredient you're only usnig for one thing (and i totally wouldn't blame you), you can always swap about ½ cup brewed and cooled green tea into this smoothie instead of the matcha—just don't add the extra water the below recipe calls for, either.
makes one smoothie
ingredients
juice of half an orange
2 fluid ounces (¼ cup) water
½ cup blueberries, rinsed
½ cup raspberries, rinsed
½ banana, sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
1 cup (packed) spinach leaves, washed and dried
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon whole chia seeds
1 teaspoon matcha (green tea) powder
3-4 ice cubes
how to do it:
- add all ingredients except ice to a blender.
- place the lid on the blender and hold the top down securely with your hand and a kitchen towel to prevent splashing or loosening of the lid.
- blend ingredients until thoroughly combined and liquified. remove the lid, add the ice cubes to the blender, then hold the top down securely again and blend until ice is broken up and evenly combined throughout the smoothie mixture. pour into a glass and serve immediately.