So you know how Starbucks has their seasonal coffee drinks?  For some reason I always get really excited about them.  But I rarely go to Starbucks anyway and when I do I always get iced green tea with a teeny tiny bit of simple syrup or some sort of hot tea. And when I finally say ok ok I’ll treat myself to the Coconut Mocha Frappucino, I’m always a tad disappointed.  I mean it tasted pretty good, but was it worth my $5?  Especially without whipped cream?  I really don’t know…

Anyway, this was my attempt at making something with actual nutrients but that also had that coconutty, coffee, chocolate taste.  It’s obviously no Starbucks, but it still tastes pretty delicious.

Coconut Mocha Smoothie

1 frozen banana
2/3 c coconut
1 heaping tsp plain non-fat yogurt
1 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp instant coffee powder
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1/2 c soy milk
honey to taste

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend away.

Now…I have a secret.  I did actually put spinach in mine too…because with all of the other flavors any trace of spinach taste is gone. So I mean…if you’re up for it try it.

Breakfast!  Ok…so this picture looks pretty gross  but there’s just not a good way to take pictures of these things….plus I took a couple sips before I took the picture so there’s smoothie residue all around the glass.  Gross.  But it definitely doesn’t taste gross!  So try it out!

Good n Green Smoothie

1/2 frozen banana (I keep a bag of frozen bananas in my freezer)
1/2 c spinach
1/2 c frozen pineapple
1/4 c carrot (or about 5 baby carrots, or one small whole carrot)
1/2 brewed green tea
1/4 cup milk
a splash or two of juice (I used a splash of Dole orange, pineapple, banana and a splash on Sobe pure pineapple, but you can use whatever you have on hand)
enough water to make it blendable
Honey to taste

Combine all ingredients in blender and pour into glass.  You can add yogurt, or flax seed if you want for extra nutrients.  Smoothies are just so versatile and easy.  If you come up with a delicious smoothie recipe, please let me know!

I make smoothies almost everyday for breakfast and why not?  These ones are full of good stuff your body needs to start off the day!  Once it gets cooler I’ll probably start in on the oatmeal..but for now I’m still loving the smoothies.  I have quite a bit of recipes but haven’t documented any so thought it was about time.

Now I just want to tell you before I write the recipe.  The first ingredient is spinach, as it is with most of my smoothies.  But don’t stop reading yet!  You can’t taste it. honest.  And it’s a good thing to start your day off with the green stuff.

Raspberry Smoothie with a hint of coffee

 1/2 c spinach (frozen or fresh)
3/4 c frozen raspberries
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1 tsp instant coffee
2 tbsp non-fat plain yogurt, Greek or normal (or just two heaping tsps full whatever looks right)
1/2 c milk (I use light Soy but you can use normal too)
1/4 c water
Honey to desired sweetness, I just kinda swirl a little bit in

Add all ingredients to blender and blend!  Easy peasy!  In this smoothie you have a ton of vitamins, omega 3′s, calcium, fiber, potassium, and just a little bit of caffeine.  On top of all that, it is delicious and what makes it even more so is knowing all of the good things you are putting into your body.