February Goal Summary (and a smoothie recipe!)

February is over! Like SO over. Ha.
Time to fill you in on how things went with my February Goal in My Healthiest Year Yet Challenge.

(In case you forgot, my goal for February was to drink a green smoothie/green juice every day. Yummm....)

I don't really have anything mind-blowing to share about this month went. It was just good. I always feel SO much better when I'm eating more vegetables, leafy greens in particular. I have more energy, crave less junk food, and start craving even more fruits and vegetables. My digestive system is more effective and (ahem) regular. It's a win-win situation all around.

I survived a family road trip by drinking store-bought smoothies (Happy Planet ones are my favourite!) and there were a couple days throughout the month where I missed making a smoothie at home, but still had a big green salad for lunch so I still got those greens in me.

Having my greens in the form of smoothies and juice also kept me better hydrated. I'd like to think that it made my skin more "glow-y" but that might just be wishful thinking. Ha! AND, as a side note, I totally fell in love with cacao nibs this month. I loved having them in my smoothies! Total powerhouse for keeping me satiated and energized for hours.

So really, that's it. Eat your veggies! One way or another. Totally worth it.

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This green smoothie recipe is my favourite. You can seriously stuff SO much spinach in there and it still tastes like dessert, just like drinking a peanut butter milkshake. It's pretty healthy as-is, but I'll share my extra-healthy version with you, too, just in case you're interested!

Green Monster Spinach Smoothie from Iowa Girl Eats

1 frozen, sliced Banana
1 tablespoon Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Vanilla Greek Yogurt
4 cups Baby Spinach (or a little more/less)
1 cup unsweetened Almond Milk (or any kind of milk)

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until very smooth. Enjoy!

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Green Monster Smoothie, Extra-Healthy Style (dairy-free, naturally sweetened)

Try the original first...then if you're feeling brave, try this one out. It's still delicious, but definitely has a more "wholesome" taste (which I loooove, but does take a little getting used to).

1 Banana (frozen optional, but delicious)
1-2 tablespoons natural Peanut Butter
2-3 cups Baby Spinach 
1/2 cup Coconut Milk
1 cup Almond Milk (or straight water, even! The banana helps add creaminess)
3-5 Medjool Dates (these are the big fat ones, usually found in the produce section...they are extra sweet and delicious so if you don't have them, you'll need to add extra 'regular' dates or use another sweetener like honey or maple syrup)
hint of salt (if the PB doesn't have any)
1-2 tablespoons cacao nibs, chia seeds, hemp hearts, etc. (you pick your combo)

Put all ingredients in blender and blend until very smooth!

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I'll often make a green smoothie just by tossing berries, kale and/or spinach, a banana, and some honey in a blender and it turns out just fine. If you have a really hard time with a "green" taste, definitely make sure to include something strongly "citrus-y" like pineapple or frozen orange juice concentrate...those help add a tang to the smoothie and make it extra-delicious! I'll be sure to share more favourite smoothie recipes as I find them. Happy smoothie-ing!