Spinach Smoothies

For the past year or so, I've been making a green smoothie a part of my normal morning routine. I love being able to get a serving of vegetables for breakfast! There is a surprising range of flavors you can get depending on what you pair with the spinach.

There are three parts:
- Spinach, a couple large handfuls
- Fruit, to your liking. (I do two pieces, like an orange and a pear.)
- A liquid (I use soy milk or almond milk. Juice is yummy, too, but adds a lot of sugar)

Plus any extras, to give it more flavor, texture, or make it more filling:
- Protein powder
- Oats
- Granola or cereal like Grape Nuts
- Nuts or nut butter
- Ginger root
- Cocoa powder
- Cinnamon

There's no right or wrong way to make this- just throw everything in a blender (or better yet, use an immersion blender!) and blend to your desired consistency. Too thick? Add more liquid! Not sweet enough? Add fruit or juice.

It's fun to see what different flavors go well together. I was surprised at how well cantoloupe goes with my chocolate protein powder. And grapefruit? Uh, yuck. I love grapfruit, but somehow putting it into a smoothie makes the whole thing really nasty. Bananas are one of the most versatile ingredients, but unfortunately for me, I have a banana intolerance and don't get to reap the benefits of this inexpensive and portable fruit.

To see more recipes and pretty photos, check out this blogger's master green smoothie list!

PS- Apparently, smoothies are better when they are consumed through a straw, out of a mason jar or other unique glass, and/or with a pretty cloth napkin. Food blogs just kill me.