Likes and Love : Avocado and spinach superfood smoothie (with date, banana and cocoa nibs)

Monday 19 May 2014

Avocado and spinach superfood smoothie (with date, banana and cocoa nibs)

Avocado is one of my favourite veggies (ok ok I know, it is really a fruit, cos of the stone blah blah blah) but I normally reserve the nutritious creamy green thing for salads and guacamole.

But when I was in Dubai last week, I had a smoothie with avocado as the main ingredient. Admittedly it was a little too much for me, and on top of The Cheesecake Factory monster slice of red velvet cheesecake I had, it was all a bit too sickly.

creamy yet not sickly!

But since returning, I have searched the web for an avocado smoothie to make! And this one from Mind Body Green is perfect! I have slightly adapted it for my taste.

What’s inside???

2 cups of spinach

½ frozen banana*

½ small avocado

1 tsp of vanilla extract (I didn’t have this posh stuff so had to use essence)

3-4 dates (with stone removed)

A tiny pinch of sea salt

1 cup of unsweetened non dairy milk (use almond for a naturally sweet and nutty flavour)

1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (optional)

A sprinkle of cocoa nibs

who'd thought dates and avocado would work???!!!

In a blender or smoothie maker, simply pop all the ingredient in (except for the cocoa nibs) and blend, high speed, for about one to two minutes. Then at the end, add the cocoa nibs, blend for another 20 seconds or so and serve!!!

this blender is now full of goodness!

Delicious!!

Why is it good for you???

Although technically a fruit, avocado's sugar content is low compared to other fruits. Half an avocado contains just 0.2 g of sugar! They are also an powerful source of vitamins and minerals - potassium vitamin K, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Plus just one medium avocado contains 11 grams of fibre!!! ...Which is close to half of the daily recommended minimum intake.