Grasshopper Milkshake, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, & Superfood Brownie Bites

This month’s “green” is the delicious and nutritious spinach leaf! I happen to think that spinach is fantastically delicious all by its lonesome raw self, but if you are someone that is just getting used to the idea of eating your greens then I have some fun tricks to sneak this powerhouse into your diet.

The obvious place to start is in a smoothie. Spinach blends so well in smoothies since it has a creamy kind of texture and flavor when blended. This leafy green can really be thrown into any kind of smoothie without adding a grassy flavor to your mixture. Try it mixed with other fruits and veggies or make a non-dairy milkshake that even kids would love to sip!

Grasshopper Milkshake (serves 2-4)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond or coconut milk
• 1 ½ cups raw organic spinach, washed
• 1 frozen banana
• ½ avocado
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• few drops of liquid stevia

Preparation:

1. Add all ingredients in a high speed blender.
2. Blend on high until a thick milkshake consistency is formed.
3. Serve and enjoy!

Since you have your blender out, prep a healthy ice cream treat for your family. I bet they would never guess spinach had an all star role in this dish!

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (serves 2-4)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond or coconut milk
• ½ cup raw organic spinach, washed
• 1 banana
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• scant ¼ tsp peppermint extract (be very careful with this! A little goes a long way)
• few drops of liquid stevia

Preparation:

1. Add all ingredients in a high speed blender.
2. Blend on high and pour into an ice cream tray.
3. Freeze for at least one hour.
4. Pop back into blender once frozen, the longer you keep frozen the longer it might be to blend. Stop blender and scrape down a few times until you reach a frozen ice cream consistency.
5. Scoop out with ice cream scooper and top with vegan chocolate chips and optional agave chocolate sauce (mix equal parts agave nectar with raw cacao powder).
6. Serve and enjoy!

Another great place to hide your greens… chocolate! Chocolate flavor triumphs over most other tastes so it’s a great place to hide some healthy stuff. These little gooey brownie bites are just perfect for satisfying that sweet tooth and the best part is, they are healthy too!

Superfood Brownie Bites (makes about 20 bites)

Ingredients:

• ½ cup medjool dates (pits removed)

• 2 tbls water

• ¼ cup raw cacao powder

• ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

• 1 cup organic spinach, washed

• ¼ cup organic coconut oil

• ¼ cup raw walnuts (can also us pecans or almonds)

• ¼ cup raw almond butter

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

* Optional- ½ cup vegan chocolate chips

Preparation:

1. Add dates and water in a high speed blender and blend until smooth.
2. Mix the rest of ingredients except for chocolate chips and continue to blend.
3. May have to stop a few times and scrape down sides to mix ingredients properly.
4. Transfer to a bowl and add chips if using them.
5. Form into balls or little squares or whatever shape you fancy and set in fridge.
6. Keep refrigerated (coconut oil will harden and help keep shape).
7. Pop one in your mouth whenever you need a sweet treat and don’t tell anyone these brownies are full of green goodness!

Image Source: WoodleyWonderworks/Flickr