Nutrient-Packed Fruit-And-Spinach Smoothie

Like most Americans my days are jam packed with "things to do." Having three children ages 3 and under adds to the fact that I never have much time to sit and enjoy a meal. Trying to eat healthy with little time to plan and cook during the week, I decided I needed a good idea and fast!

As I was trying to think of an easy way to get vegetables, fruits, protein and vitamins in one shot ... naturally of course ... it came to me! A SMOOTHIE!

Not only are they fast and easy to make, but they are also fast and easy to drink ... and HEALTHY! And if I was really in a hurry, I could drink it on the go! I calculated a "Nutrition Fact Label" for you (see below) so you know what you are getting in this delicious smoothie. Not only is this smoothie healthy and high in protein and vitamins, but it's also really yummy. So yummy that my 2- and 3-year-olds both shared one with me today. This made me feel great especially after they were both gagging on the vegetables I made them for dinner the night before. Little did they know they were drinking fresh spinach today! While I do not agree with lying to children, I will never tell them what they are drinking! My 3-year-old kept asking me, "What's in this, Mommy? It's sooo good!" I told him all of the ingredients except the spinach! It must have slipped my mind!

I hope you enjoy this recipe and feel good about drinking it. It makes a great snack! This is what I have between breakfast and lunch when I'm really hungry and my energy is low. It gives me a good boost! Oh, and don't let the not-so-appetizing color throw you off! It really is good!

Nutrient Packed Fruit and Spinach Smoothie Recipe (Makes 1 Smoothie)

Ingredients

1/2 frozen banana (this is what gives the smoothie all of the carbs and half the sugar)

1/2 cup frozen mixed berries

1/2 cup plain non-fat greek yogurt

1/2 cup lowfat milk

1 cup raw baby spinach

1/2 cup 100% OJ

Directions

Blend in blender until smooth (I used my Magic Bullet).

NUTRIENT FACT LABEL

This is for 1 Smoothie:

1 g of fat

190 calories

17 g of protein

965 mg potassium

5 g fiber

15 g carbs

155 mg sodium

20 g sugars

115% vitamin C

60% vitamin A

25% vitamin D

50% calcium

8% iron

TIPS:

– If you are vegan...try almond, coconut or rice milk/yogurt

– I used Stop & Shop frozen berry medley, Chobani plain nonfat Greek yogurt, Stonyfield organic lowfat milk, S&S Nature's Promise organic baby spinach, and Tropicana calcium and vitamin D 100% OJ.

-Unpeel bananas and freeze 1/2 sections for easy use

-Go ORGANIC if you can afford it!