Matcha Green Tea Green Monster Smoothie

If you haven’t tried a Green Monster smoothie yet, then I really think you’re missing out. Honestly!

Especially after going through Project Veg-Up last month, I’ve found that it can often be difficult to get your recommended servings of fruits and veggies with the craziness of every day life. If you’re short on time, then the Green Monster smoothie may be your best solution. You get two fruits servings (if you count 1/2 a banana as one fruit serving) and one vegetable serving (thanks to the healthy addition of spinach – click here for spinach health benefit info).

Now, you may be wondering, “Can I use frozen spinach in a Green Monster smoothie?” I wondered the same thing, so I tried out the theory that you could with this recipe. As it turns out, it works just fine (you just need less spinach in frozen form since it’s more tightly packed). And do you know what this means, people?

It means you can have a complete breakfast using ingredients exclusively out of your (well-stocked) refrigerator and/or freezer! I love convenient things that rock!

This smoothie has a health boost with the addition of matcha green tea. Click here for some info on matcha green tea health benefits. And check out this quote by Dr. Weil:

In addition to providing trace minerals and vitamins (A, B-complex, C, E, and K), matcha is rich in catechin polyphenols – compounds with high antioxidant activity. These compounds offer protection against many kinds of cancer, help prevent cardiovascular disease and slow the aging process. They also reduce harmful cholesterol in the blood, stabilize blood sugar levels, help reduce high blood pressure and enhance the resistance of the body to many toxins. The most important polyphenol in matcha is EGCG (epigallo-catechin gallate), which is the subject of many medical studies. Matcha has a significant amount of dietary fiber and practically no calories. ~Andrew Weil, M.D. (source )

Matcha Green Tea Green Monster Smoothie

Matcha green tea powder adds a subtle, yet intoxicating flavor punch to the regular green monster smoothie. And for those who don’t know, a green monster smoothie is one made with spinach! Trust me, you can’t taste it. This recipe is a great way to start your day right – with a serving of fruit and veggies, plus matcha green tea goodness.

I added yogurt to this smoothie for the protein (to help me stay full) and probiotics (because they’re good for you), but you could substitute additional milk.

*Vegan if you use vegan milk*

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1/2 – 1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder, to taste (I really like matcha, so I went with 1 teaspoon)
• 1 banana (a frozen banana will give you a thicker consistency, but non-frozen works, too)
• 1/4 cup frozen spinach (or 1 1/2 -2 cups loosely packed, fresh baby spinach)
• 1 individual vanilla yogurt, preferably organic (or sub milk if you don’t want to use yogurt)
• 1/4 cup milk of choice (use vanilla/sweetened milk for extra sweetness or use plain/dairy milk and add sweetener of choice, if desired) – add additional milk if you want a more liquidy texture.
• 2 cubes ice
• additional sweetener of choice, optional/if needed (I didn’t need it, but flavor your smoothie to your taste)

Directions:

1. Place matcha powder, banana, spinach, yogurt, milk (plus sweetener if using), and ice in a blender. Note: place matcha powder in the blender first so it gets covered with other ingredients. This helps keep the powder from blowing around the blender when you turn it on.
2. Cover and blend until banana/spinach/ice is processed and smooth, and the matcha is well-incorporated, about 1-2 minutes.
3. Serve and enjoy!

You may also like these fabulous smoothie recipes:

• Cookies ‘N Cream Green Monster
• Healthy Cookies ‘N Cream Smoothie
• Healthy Blueberry Pie Smoothie

Or these matcha recipes:

• Mini Matcha Green Tea Banana Nut Muffins
• Matcha Green Tea Oatmeal

Do you prefer smoothies with or without yogurt? Why?

Tagged as: Breakfast, Recipe, Smoothie, Snack