Introducing…a green smoothie that tastes like chocolate chip mint ice cream!
(no, it’s true!)
So here in Seattle the sun is starting to slowly peak its head out and pay us a visit. Spring is in the air and summer is just around the corner! With warm temperatures coming our bodies are starting to crave refreshing and cold foods to cool off our bodies and nourish our souls.
One popular treat? Ice cream!
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate ice cream as much as the next gal but I also know I need to balance it out with healthier options. So, if I can make a healthy smoothie that tastes like I am drinking an ice cream shake, even better!
That is exactly what I did. Loaded with nutrient rich spinach, banana, raw cacao nibs; which are full of antioxidants, avocado, and almond butter. You’ll be wanting to sip on this baby all summer long (without experiencing the clogging effects of all the dairy!)
Instead of adding actual peppermint leaves I used a few drops of the doTERRA peppermint essential oil.
A few benefits of using the peppermint essential oil instead of actual peppermint are:
One, it is more accessible to use anytime you want to add delicious peppermint flavor to your tea, cocoa or..... this awesome smoothie!
Two, the oil is very concentrated so you need to use very little to achieve that delicious peppermint flavor. Think of the savings!
Three, it lasts a LONG time so you can use it over and over again; instead of going to your fridge to discover that the mint you bought last week is rotting in the fridge, sadly discovering the whole smoothie is thwarted! Talk about disappointing.....
But hey.....if you have a huge peppermint plant growing in the back of your yard definitely feel free to throw in a few handfuls instead!
You need this smoothie to be nice and cold to really contribute to that "ice cream" experience. Add a generous amount of ice to make it cold and frothy. Some people do not like to add lots of ice to their smoothie because they believe it waters down the smoothie and takes away from the taste.
That is you, isn't it?
If you answered yes to the above question than what you could do instead is prior to making the smoothie put together a freezer bag of the spinach, avocado and peeled banana and throw it in the freezer for a couple hours....please just remember to peel the banana before you freeze it because frozen peel does not come off easily.
Believe me, I know. (A friend told me.)
No, it was me.....hey, we all have our moments!
Chocolate Chip Mint "Ice Cream" Smoothie
Ingredients:
3 large handfuls of spinach
3 drops of doTERRA peppermint essential oil (see Recipe Notes)
¼ cup raw cacao nibs
1 cup almond milk, plus more if needed to thin
avocado, small
2 tablespoons almond butter
1 fresh or frozen banana
5-6 medjool dates
1 tablespoon protein powder (optional)
ice
coconut flakes and cacao nibs, for serving
optional toppings: coconut flakes, cacao nibs
Instructions:
1. To make the smoothie, add all the ingredients to a blender, then add the milk. Blend until smooth, adding more milk if you need to thin out the smoothie. Add to glass and top with coconut flakes and cacao nibs. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
You do not need to use doTERRA products but make sure your essential oils are at a grade where they are safe for consumption. Or add in a few handfuls of mint instead.
And here you go, the perfect "ice cream" shake!
Click here if you need to pick up your own bottle of peppermint!
https://www.dalisaynaturals.com/product-page/peppermint-essential-oil-15-ml
