This smoothie is delicious (otherwise I wouldn't be sharing it on my blog...) and thanks to the mint, it's refreshing as well. When I add mint to recipes - and some other ingredients like lemon juice - it provides a lightness to the flavour that is much appreciated in the warmer months or when you've been eating a lot of dense, heavy meals. That fresh taste gives me energy and good vibes. When ya throw in some chocolate sauce (helloooo!) and a chocolate vanilla chia pudding (super great for digestion and fibre), you've got a semi-fancy drink that's great for a quick breakfast, big snack or pre-workout meal. In addition to all the components just listed, I have incorporated Genuine Health's VEGAN greens+ O powder in this recipe because it boosts the nutritional density through the roof, the sky, the atmosphere!? It brings a bit of a spirulina flavour to the smoothie, which personally I think works well with the mint and chocolate. Because it is so nutritionally potent, you only need a small scoop of VEGAN greens+ O daily to notice a positive impact. I don't always end up including fresh greens in my diet everyday, so I make sure to cover all my bases by adding this powder to my smoothies regularly.
There are 23 phytonutrients in VEGAN greens+ O, gently processed to bring you all their glory and antioxidants (350% more absorbable than other "superfood" powders) in an easy-to-digest format. Phytonutrients are our friends. They protect against free radicals damage, are anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, beneficial to the immune system and liver, and can help to balance your hormones. Not only does this product contain a bunch of greens - shocker - it also includes a variety of other colourful plants so you're basically eatin' the rainbow here. Formulating your diet around a MIX of healthful plant-based foods is ideal because some foods that are low in one micro- or macro-nutrient, mineral or vitamin might be high in another and so by eating a variety of all these foods, you will get a balance of all that good stuff your bod needs to thriiiive, baby!
Foods that do favours for your body also do favours for your brain. The brain is an organ and it needs certain minerals, nutrients and vitamins to work properly. We gotta feed it RIGHT. When I regularly consume a rich variety of colourful whole foods and supplement with VEGAN greens+ O, my mental health is notably improved. Since I got back from my trip I have been committed to getting these foods in my meals and smoothies every day, and it helps tremendously. I have SO MUCH ENERGY these days and I feel like a new person. Of course, it's thanks to a number of things, but I firmly believe the nutritional power of superfoods, including VEGAN greens+ O, are part of the equation. FInd out where you can buy VEGAN greens+ O here.
XO
This post is sponsored by Genuine Health 'cause I have got bills to pay, but I GENUINELY (see what I did there) love this product and am happy to share it with you. All opinions are my own, as always. Oh- and the food styling in this recipe was inspired by a smoothie made by Sam over at So Beautifully Real.
[ makes around two servings ]
Chocolate sauce:
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon cacao powder
Pinch sea salt
Chocolate chia pudding:
1/2 cup almond milk
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 tablespoon cacao powder
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Smoothie:
1 cup frozen pineapple
1 banana
1/4 cup mint leaves
1 cup spinach
1 scoop VEGAN greens+ O
2 cups almond milk, more or less as needed
To make the chocolate sauce: stir the ingredients together until smooth. Drizzle on the inside of however many glasses you are using.
To make the chia pudding: stir all the ingredients together and let sit for 10-15 minutes; the chia seeds will gel up and make it into a rice pudding-like consistency. Adjust according to taste. If it's too thin, add more chia or 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds. If it's too thick, add more almond milk. Scoop into the bottom of however many glasses you are using.
To make the smoothie: blend all ingredients together until smooth and the consistency you like. Add more almond milk or ice if it's too thick. If you'd like it a bit sweeter, add 1-2 pitted dates. Pour over the chia pudding and enjoy with a spoon and/or straw!
