We’ve got green on the brain for St. Patrick’s Day! Green vegetables are packed to the brim with nutrients, minerals and antioxidants, but are usually not your first choice to pick up and snack on. So, why not give it a sweet make over?
Here are some sneaky (and DELICIOUS) ways to hide your greens in treats:
AVOCADO PEPPERMINT SMOOTHIE:
In a blender, add ½ organic avocado, 1 organic banana, ¼ C organic chopped green kale, 2 tbsp. cacao powder, 1 tbsp. cacao nibs (or chocolate chips), 1-2 tbsp. organic maple syrup (depending on the level of sweetness), 1 sprig of organic peppermint leaves and 1 ½ C of nut milk of your choice (or water if preferred), and blend until smooth. Serve immediately!
ZUCCHINI LOAF:
In a large bowl, add 1 C of shredded organic zucchini, 2 organic eggs, 1/3 C organic maple syrup or honey, 1/3 C milk of your choice, 1 tbsp. organic coconut oil (slightly melted) and blend well. Then add 1.5 C organic whole wheat flour, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1 tbsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. nutmeg, 1 tsp. ginger and mix until all ingredients are incorporated. Pour into a small loaf pan and top with crushed walnuts. Bake for 50 minutes at 365 degrees (or until sides have browned and the center is not runny). Let cool on rack for 15 minutes, then enjoy!
KEY LIME AND SPINACH BITES:
In a food processor, blend together ½ C organic walnuts, ½ C organic almonds, ½ C organic cashews, 4-5 pitted organic medjool dates, and 1-2 melted tbsp. of coconut oil. In a 8×8 pan, line with parchment paper and pat down nut mixture to the bottom. Freeze for 30 minutes.
In a small blender, blend ½ C spinach with a bit of water until a green liquid is created. In a bowl, whip 1 C organic coconut milk (thick!) until fluffy. Then mix in 2 tbsp. lime juice, 1/3 C honey, the spinach liquid you created, the zest of one lime, and add onto the nut crust you made from earlier. Spread it evenly on top of the crust and freeze for 3-5 hours. Cut into squares and enjoy as a tasty treat!
SPIRULINA AND MATCHA CHIA PARFAIT:
In a small bowl, add 1 C nut milk of your choice, 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract, 1 tsp. matcha powder, 1 tsp. spirulina, 1 tbsp. organic honey (can adjust sweetness level) and blend well. Incorporate 1/3 C chia seeds until fully distributed throughout the mixture and let sit in the fridge until pudding-like mixture is formed.
In a separate small bowl, mix together 1 C plain Greek yogurt, 1 tsp. vanilla and 1 tbsp. honey.
To assemble as a parfait, in small mason jars, add granola of your choice to the bottom third of the jar, then add the yogurt mixture, then the chia as your top layer, and garnish with blueberries and raspberries. Serve as a healthy snack! Serves 2.
