I had high hopes for San Francisco: the warm California heat, delicious veg friendly restaurants and a West Coast feeling that differed from my previous trips to New York. Unfortunately, it was very cold, we had one very good meal all week and it didn’t have the California vibe I was hoping for. Now it wasn’t all bad. I still had a good time with my friends and there were aspects of the city I really did love such as China Town, Japan Town, the gardens around the city, the Golden Gate Bridge and the famous Pier 39.

Coming back from vacation can be bittersweet: bitter from having to go back to work and school but sweet to prepare a homemade meal. I certainly did miss that aspect of going on vacation especially my morning green smoothie. Trying to find a non-dairy based smoothie was a little more difficult than I imagined and when I did find one, it had not one green vegetable in it.

When I got home from eating a lot of restaurant made meals, I was craving this smoothie because I needed some serious vitamins! Thankfully this bright green drink is loaded with them and a bunch of other amazing things your body needs.

Ingredients Breakdown: 

Kale: tons of vitamin K,A,C, manganese and of course fibre!

Spinach: vitamin K, A, manganese, folate, magnesium and iron.

Banana: vitamin B6, manganese, vitamin C and potassium.

Strawberry: vitamin C, manganese and fiber

Hemp hearts: omega 6, omega 3, protein, iron, magnesium, zinc and manganese (seriously super good for you!)

Chai seeds: omega 3, omega 6, protein, magnesium and calcium

Spirulina: protein, vitamin B12, potassium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus

This is my go-to smoothie since I usually have these ingredients on hand and it is quick to make. I usually have the blender going while I am putting on my shoes, split the drink with Mark and we are out the door for school. It puts more pep in your step than a morning brew and is a million times better for you (I didn’t mean for that to rhyme). This drink is good in the morning, after a run or pre-mega study session while you stress over molecular bonds. Not that I do that or anything….

I plugged in the ingredients onto MyFitnessPal and this smoothie has only 229 calories and 10 grams of protein (per serving), just in case anyone asks you where you get your protein from I find this smoothie perfectly sweetened with the help of the banana but in case you don’t, add a pitted date to the blend. If spirulina isn’t in your diet currently, go easy on it to start. Just add ¼ teaspoon at a time as your body adjusts to it. My maximum spirulina intake per day is 3/4 teaspoon so don’t over overboard on it.

When feeling sluggish or sleepy, remember to drink your greens!

My Fruity Green Smoothie

Makes 2 serving (2 cups each serving)

•  1 cup frozen strawberries (if using fresh, just add some ice to your blender)
• 1 frozen banana, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup packed chopped kale leaves, about 5-6 leaves
• 2 cups packed baby spinach
• 3 tablespoons raw shelled hemp hearts
• 3 tablespoons white or black chia seeds
• ½ teaspoon spirulina
• ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 ½ cups water

Toss all the ingredients in a high power blender and blend until completely smooth.

P.S Stay tuned for the next post: I have some exciting news!!