St. Patrick’s Day is one of my favorite holidays because of the greenness of it.  From cabbage to leafy greens to avocado to grapes to pistachios, I am whipping up a better-for-you smoothie bowl.

Do you like Shamrock shakes?  Let’s whip up green smoothies that incorporate healthful green ingredients.  Why is it healthy to eat greens?  Green foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and a whole host of plant-based compounds that can fend off various diseases like heart disease

How green can your Shamrock shake get?  

Green leafies – baby kale, spinach and arugula 

Green fruits – grapes, avocado, lime

Green herbs – mint

Green nuts – pistachios

+ some add-ins: plain Greek yogurt, frozen banana

Simply, toss all ingredients into a blender and puree.  Wha-lah! t’s a super simple, nourishing and tasty in a bowl. What are you getting? Good-for-you protein, healthy fats and fiber from the pistachios + potassium from the banana and avocado (+ beneficial fats)  + magnesium, iron, calcium from the leafy greens + vitamin C from the grapes and lime juice + more protein from Greek yogurt.

Serves 1

Ingredients

2 cups leafy greens

1 medium frozen banana

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt

1/2 cup green grapes

1/4 cup lightly salted pistachios, shelled

1/4 ripe avocado

2 sprigs of fresh mint

1/2 medium lime, freshly squeezed

3 Tablespoons water

Toppings: (optional)

2 sliced grapes

3 slices avocado

1 Tablespoon pistachios, coarsely chopped

3 sprigs of fresh mint

Directions 

Place all ingredients into a blender or Vitamix and puree until smooth.  Pour into a bowl and top.  Enjoy!