Certain unromantic things come with adulthood: putting away one’s laundry, paying one’s taxes, drinking one’s spinach.
Certain amazingly romantic things come with adulthood: eating a giant bowl of popcorn with truffle oil for dinner, painting one’s shoes in gold glitter, falling asleep on the couch while bingeing on episodes of The Shield.
It all balances itself out, and… if I might say, the scales definitely tip to the positive end when it comes to adultland.
This week is all about balancing the scales and putting things in order. I’m knocking things out, big and small (seriously though… mostly small). I’m hanging pants on hangers. I’m putting clean laundry away like a grown-up. I’m ingesting coffee and gin, generously and separately, because I can (and I’m worth it). I’m drinking my greens, all proper-like.
I’ve also eaten my weight in white chocolate chunks. All I needed was an excuse to buy a bag. This really is so dangerous.
Just look at all this health! Greens on greens. Fruit: squared. Seeds and magic powder.
This is a feel-good situation. Different from the feel-good nature of cheesecake, but similarly profound.
Let me tell you about the extras we’re working with.
Barley Grass, Wheat Grass & Alfalfa from Amazing Grass. It’s like adding a green powder bull dog to your body and health. Bull dogs are the picture of ferocious health… right? Single serving packets are also available. Rad.
Maca Powder is derived from a Peruvian root. I like it for its mind and body energy boost. It also help with stamina if you’re the type of person who likes to go nutso in spin class (like me). Someone described maca powder as ‘nature’s viagra’ which is exactly the way NEVER TO DESCRIBE ANYTHING EVER… please and thank you.
Chia Seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, protein, and fiber. All good things! When the dry seeds are combined with liquid they acquire a slightly gelatinous coating. Weird and awesome.
These are optional, but really powerful additions to our smoothie.
The fact that we’re drinking spinach is also good enough for government work. ‘Good enough for government work’ is such a mom expression.
It’s like the heavens are shining down on our glass of health.
This smoothie is green without tasting terribly green. It’s thick and sweet thanks to the bananas. The kiwi adds a tartness and mouth-pucker that only kiwi can give provide.
Truth be told, I kicked off this smoothie with a big cup of creamy coffee. That’s just real life.
Spinach, Kiwi & Chia Seed Smoothie
makes 1 large or 2 small smoothies
For the Smoothie:
1 1/2 cups almond milk, cold
1 1/2 cups packed baby spinach leaves
1 banana, cut into chunks and frozen
1 ripe kiwi, peeled, cut into chunks
Awesome Extras:
2 tablespoons chia seeds
2 tablespoons wheat grass powder
1/2 to 1 teaspoon maca powder
In a blender, combine almond milk, spinach leaves, frozen banana chunks, and kiwi chunks. Add some of the awesome extras if you’re so inclined. Blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately.
Amy
This looks amazing. I guess I’m becoming the sort of human who uses Amazon to order maca and alfalfa powder? I’m into it.
Also, nature’s Viagra —- HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
joythebaker
i totally feel you about the amazon stuff. i try to find all of this stuff in the bulk bins at the nature stores. i really do.
christin
i’m always looking for ways to mix up my green smoothies. this looks awesome!
Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen
I must be some kinda fool because I’ve never thought of kiwi when making a smoothie. This looks like a vision of health!
Ashley
I love Amazing Grass powder! It really does something magical. And I love the weird-awesome gelatinous thing chia seeds do when they absorb liquid. It’s like a super healthy tapioca.
joythebaker
totally like tapioca!
Sini
Lovely birch straw!! Green smoothie? I don’t know… Joy, really? Oh, okay. It has to be good when you post it. Maybe I give it a go.
joythebaker
really…
Meaghan
I recently bought a bag of chia seeds, but haven’t tried them out yet. This may give me the final push to try them out in a smoothie…love the idea of almond milk and kiwi as well.
That birch straw is too cute, btw.
-m
robyn
wow-not sure where I will get my hands on any of the seeds/powder-but this is WHAT I NEED to start the year
Cassie Sue
My local Winco has chia seeds in the bulk bin section (next to the cinnamon and other spices). So if you know a store with bulk bins, you may find them there (whole foods maybe?)
At Winco they are like $7.00 a pound which is SUPER cheap because these things weigh nothing (the bag I get ends up costing me around $1.00 and lasts over a week). I like to get them and mix them into my yogurt in the morning. They have a nutty almost like poppy seed taste and I like the texture they add, plus they make me feel like I’m making a super healthy choice.
Packing Rainbows
Try Amazon – cheaper than Whole Foods :)
this is lemonade
I’ve never had a green smoothie proper before. Not one like this at least, although you’re right, kiwi is really nice in smoothies! I’m going to pin this for when the temperature rises a bit. Smoothies in winter give me the chills just thinking about them! The green looks irresistible though, a definite try is in order. Never seen Chia seeds before though.
megan @ whatmegansmaking
that looks like a lot of health in one glass. I’ve been scared to try some of those ingredients, but maybe I need to bite the bullet and just do it :)
Caz
I’ve been making green smoothie’s every weekend. Kale is my weapon of choice. I love them! This looks like another great combination and I have chia seeds lurking in my cupboard. :)
Jodie
Ooo this sounds really interesting! I really want to start making green smoothies but never know where to begin, this may have just kick started me – thank you!
Jodie xx | Future Freaks Me
Joeli
I’m sure this is delicious and it would even fit in with our vegan diet, but I just can’t get my head around drinking spinach yet! Will put it on my to-do list for 2013…”drink something green”.
joythebaker
you should totally try!
Amielle
This looks wonderfully delicious and I need to try it ASAP.
Averie @ Averie Cooks
The kiwi slice in the first pic is just jumping off the screen at me. The smoothie looks and sounds perfect! Maca & chia, two faves that I haven’t had since about 2010 and need to bring them back!
Sarah
You’re so rad I can’t even stand it. Coffee and green smoothie? You are my soul sister.
x missdottidee.blogspot.com
joythebaker
balance!