With the warmer weather comes time for cool drinks and when I say ‘cool’ I mean awesome drinks such as this one.  This is an easy smoothie to create and best of all it has very few allergens.  This recipe is dairy and gluten-free.  Smoothies are a great way to boost your intake of vegetables and fruits.  For example, this recipe includes 1 cup of spinach which is a single vegetable serving.  Spinach is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron which assists the body in various ways.  A few benefits to name that come from the intake of spinach include assistance in bone development/maintenance, red blood cell development,  muscle contractions/relaxation, wound healing, reproduction, optimization of antioxidant absorption, collagen production, and skin integrity.

This smoothie can be a great drink while at your desk, watching a film, or hosting a party (just add the ETOH aka alcoholic beverage of preference).  If you are looking to boost your protein intake, a scoop of desired protein powder can be added to the recipe or nut-butter of choice such as cashew, peanut, or almond butter.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vanilla or plain non-dairy coconut yogurt (a great brand is So Delicious Dairy Free)
• 1/2 cup green grapes, washed
• 1 cup fresh spinach, washed
• 1/2 medium banana, peeled
• 1/2 apple, halved with the skin on
• 1/3 cup fresh or canned pineapple, chunks or cubes
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1/3 cup water
• OPTIONAL ADDITIONS:   Protein powder,  nut butter, or alcohol

Methodology

1. Place all ingredients into a blender and secure the lid.
2. Blend for about 45 seconds to 1 minute.
3. Distribute into four 8 ounce glasses.
4. Time to savor your greens!
5. If you would like to reference the full recipe and its nutrient content please click here:   Green Sailing Smoothie Recipe & Nutrient Analysis.  Keep in mind that the recipe analysis is based on non-dairy coconut yogurt.

xxx – Sarah