{Green Smoothie Cleanse} Avo-Coco Smoothie

As I mentioned recently, for the last two days I have been doing a Green Smoothie Cleanse guided by my resident nutritionist/friend/boss lady, Meghan. Using her guidance for three days I am drinking just green smoothies, green juice, tea and water- quite the feat it sounds like, I know! It was my first time doing such a thing, but really it hasn’t been as hard as I thought.  Especially when I drink so many delicious smoothies like the one above.

I started the cleanse with an open mind, telling myself if it felt like too little food or too restrictive, or I felt too weak I would stop. There’s no use in doing something that makes me feel like crap. But surprisngly, I have actually felt fabulous. Not deprived for a minute, and only hungry just once- when I headed to the library late Saturday afternoon and brought nothing but a big bottle of water- I should have known myself and my book-nerdiness, I was there for three hours and starving when I came home. But after a big creamsicle smoothie I was set. I know for sure there’s no way I would be able to do this for longer than three days, but only a few short days? No problemo.

Why is that? You’d think drinking only green smoothies would make one hungry and cranky. Let’s be honest, I thought I may be like that too. But I quickly discovered what makes the difference is the smoothies. To make a smoothie a meal, it has to be hefty- not only in calories but in fiber, healthy fat, protein. All the good stuff that sustains us in a normal meal, blended up into a cool, smooth drink.

That’s why this smoothie is a great one. It’s chock full of greens, sweet from fruit and packed with tons of healthy fats.  Please don’t be afraid of fats- they won’t make you fat! [Well, unless they're paired with a whole bunch of refined sugar, but that's a story for another day]. I will never be a part of the low fat trend, that’s for sure- but that’s just me.

This smoothie is the epitome of summer. Creamy cool avocado paired with fresh coconut and tangy lime, it screams sun and warmth.  It’s delicious on it’s own, but I can see it be equally as delicious with a splash of rum in place of the protein powder for a refreshing cocktail mid-afternoon in the heat of July. You know, just sayin’.

Avo-Coco Lime Smoothie
1 banana, frozen
1/2 avocado
small handful fresh coconut
1-2 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use Sun Warrior)
2 large handfuls spinach
1 cup coconut water
1/2 cup water
Stevia to taste

Add all ingredients except stevia to blender. Taste for sweetness, add stevia or more lime as desired. Top with a sprinkle of dried coconut and enjoy!

What recipes scream “summer” to you? On a side note… can you tell I’m aching for summer to come?

xo

Tagged as: cleanse, detox, raw, smoothie, vegan, vegetarian