Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie {with Spinach}

This mint chocolate chip smoothie is so yummy and perfect for a breakfast on the go.  This smoothie contains protein, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals…plus, a fruit and veggie serving.  The dark chocolate and peppermint essential oil are energizing, which is a great way to start the day or a pick me up in the afternoon.

You can tailor this recipe to fit your family’s dietary needs by substituting almond or coconut milk for whole milk.  As well as, use peppermint or mint extract instead of peppermint essential oil.  Peppermint essential oil is very potent, so just one or two drops will suffice.

The higher the cacao percentage in dark chocolate the more the nutrients, especially the antioxidants.   I like to make sure that my dark chocolate is at least 80% cacao to receive all the health benefits.  For this recipe you can grate or shave chocolate from a high quality dark chocolate bar, dark chocolate chips, or use Enjoy Life chocolate chips which are soy free, dairy free and gluten free.

For the frozen banana slices called in the recipe, I slice up a banana and store in single servings in either zip lock bag or tupperwear. 

Nourishing Ingredients {why I feel good feeding this smoothie to my munchkin}

• Banana:  Potassium, fiber, and high in Vitamins B6, B2 & C.  Bananas are great for muscle cramps, reduce swelling, lower blood pressure, protect against heart attack & stroke, mood enhancer thanks to tryptophan, and great for digestion.
• Dark Chocolate:  Extremely high in antioxidants.  Contains iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, and selenium.  Lowers blood pressure, raises good cholesterol and protects bad cholesterol from oxidizing, therefore, lowers the risk of heart diseases.   The flavonols can protect against sun-induced damage, improve blood flow to the skin and increase skin density and hydration.
• Milk:  Protein, vitamin A, B & D, calcium, phosphorus, and tryptophan.  I purchase the Kalona Super Natural brand for a few different reasons.  It’s non-homogenized, which means it is less processed and more similar to its natural state with the cream rising to the top.  In addition, whole milk is less processed than 2%, 1% and skim milk.  It’s officially USDA organic.  The milk is derived from grass-fed cows, which means a higher nutritional profile.  Finally, the milk is low temperature batch-pasteurized {once again, less processed than high temperature pasteurization} which preserves the beneficial bacteria and the flavor of the milk.  If you can’t find this brand, then look for non-homogenized, organic, grass-fed, and batch-pasteurized.  You can read more about their process, by clicking here.
• Spinach:  Fiber, protein, vitamins A, C, K, E, B1, B2, B3 & B6, iron, zinc, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, potassium, selenium, tryptophan, and copper.  Carotenoids & 13 different flavonoids help fight cancer.
• Peppermint Essential Oil:  Beneficial for nausea, muscle pain, asthma, skin & hair, stress, headaches, respiratory {clear nasal congestion & cough symptoms}, dental cavities & bad breath, enhance memory & alertness, hay fever, colic in infants, IBS, colonic spasms and gas.