Green monster smoothie

Last week I was having lunch with a friend and discussing our daily Internet reads (ranging from food and shopping, to Martha Stewart crafts and weddings), and she mentioned a Green Monster smoothie that she had recently seen here and tried.  I love smoothies, but don't make them as often as I'd like.  I usually reserve making them on the weekend since I have a habit of being a sloppier cook in the morning and getting my breakfast all over my clothes.  Woops.  Cereal is the way to go, my friends.  Anyway, I had never heard of a Green Monster smoothie, so she showed me the website:

me: "It's so green and pretty.  What's in it?"
Becca: "Baby spinach, peanut butter, a frozen banana, milk, oats-"
me: "Wait, spinach?"
Becca:"But it doesn't taste like spinach.  It's good!  I had one and felt really full and healthy for the whole morning."

Hmmm, this is worth a try.  I had some spinach left in the fridge and the other ingredients around as well.  Why not?  If all else fails, I'll make myself some super delicious (and not quite as healthy) French toast dripping with syrup.  Mmm :)

And holy crap did I enjoy it!  Honestly, I thought I'd have to suppress my gag reflux to get this down.  It is with the Girl Scout's honor that I can say I proudly and willingly drank the entire thing and even went back for seconds (two total glassfuls).  I couldn't taste the spinach at all, but the peanut butter and banana really stood out to me and a hint of the vanilla from the protein powder came through as well.  I really really recommend this!  I had it for breakfast around 9:15 and was totally satisfied... until I saw the clock at 12:42 and remembered I had quiche in the fridge that I'd made the night before.  Time for lunch! :)  (Thanks again, B!)


Green Monster Smoothie
-adapted from Iowa Girl Eats

2 handfuls of baby spinach
1/4 cup old fashioned oats (or quick-cooking, if you have those instead)
1 cup milk
1 Tablespoon peanut butter
1 banana, unpeel and wrap in plastic and freeze for a few hours or overnight
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (optional)
Handful of ice cubes (optional)

Slice frozen banana and add to a glass pitcher (or pitcher of stand blender), along with spinach, oats, protein powder, peanut butter, and milk.

Mix with immersion blender until smooth.

Add ice, if you want to thin the mixture a bit, and blend until smooth.  I didn't add ice because I thought the smoothie was the perfect consistency already (and I was getting hungry/curious).  Pour into glass and enjoy!