Hold onto your butts folks, I’m about to drop a blog post. Hey-oh!
If you did a double-take when you saw that this gal had published a new post, I don’t blame you. I’ve been rather absent as of late. As usual, I have no good excuses to give you, other than I was feeling a severe lack of inspiration and just needed to take a little break. Blogging had begun to feel like another task on my to-do list and I was no longer enjoying the process. Fellow food bloggers know that publishing a new post is more than just whipping something up, snapping a few photos, and typing out a recipe. There is preparation, and styling, and editing, and putting together something that you feel proud of. I’m still figuring it all out, but as I sit here typing out these words, while drinking the smoothie I’m here to share with you, I feel a renewed sense of energy and excitement. I’m remembering why I love this little space so much and I look forward to finding my blogging groove again. Thanks for sticking around.
About a month ago, I bit the bullet and bought a Vitamix. Holy heck, are those machines fantastic! It truly is one of the most amazing kitchen gadgets, and if you’re a smoothie lover like me, it’s worth the investment. It can do so much more than make a good smoothie, but that’s definitely what I’ve used it for the most so far. Behold my current favourite green concoction. Drink it for breakfast, a post work-out snack, or just ’cause you need a dose of greens. I promise the spinach taste is undetectable!
My Favourite Green Smoothie
This recipe makes one generous serving or two small servings. Feel free to substitute a different milk for the almond milk if you have another preference. The banana is completely optional – this smoothie is still delicious without it. The peanut butter is optional too, but let’s be real – what isn’t made better by the addition of peanut butter? (Answer: nothing.)
1 1/4 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 cups fresh baby spinach, packed
1 cup frozen mango chunks
1 TBSP. hemp hearts
1/2 frozen banana (optional)
1 TBSP. natural peanut butter (optional)
Add ingredients to a high-speed blender in the order listed (adding liquids first will help get things moving). Blend until super smooth. Enjoy immediately.
Nutritional Info: 340 calories – 33g carbs – 16g fat – 12g protein – 265mg sodium – 21g sugar
Yum! This smoothie looks fab! Love green smoothies – they’re definitely favourite and packed full of goodness! Loving the vibrant colour! 😀
Thanks Jess!
Welcome back! I totally understand those blogger feelings all too well! My Vitamix was a total game changer in the smoothie (and hummus!) department. Also, “hold onto your butts” makes me think of Jurassic Park, ha!
Thanks friend! I never even thought about hummus! Best purchase ever! PS. I don’t even know where that phrase came from – it just popped into my head when I sat down to write!
Hello Amanda! I can certainly relate to the ‘blogging burnout’. I’ve had to reduce the number of posts I’m putting out recently, too, because there’s been a lot going on in other areas of my life. I think that’s OK! It’s bound to happen sometimes.
The smoothie looks so tasty and healthy … I love that you’ve added in a bit of peanut butter for a bit of protein!
Thanks Helen! I’m glad to hear that I’m not alone in feeling that way sometimes. It’s all about balance, isn’t it?
Glad you’re back! I really want a vitamix! It’s on the top of my list of things to buy once we move back. (along with a house, car, furniture etc. – so we’ll eventually get it!)
http://www.inloveinlondon.com
Thanks Andrea! A Vitamix is so worth the investment!
I love my vitamix and green smoothies too. Though I have to admit that I took a little break because I was having them too often and I got tired of kale. Think it might be time to get back to drinking my fruit and veg. With the colder months ahead of us, also being able to make soup in the vitamix is a perfect option for our cold winters.Thanks for the nutritional information!
Thanks Paula! I can’t wait to try making soup in my Vitamix. It almost makes me excited for cold weather!
I love smoothies Amanda! You don’t want to know how many smoothie recipes I have collected all over the years . I am a smooth-holic guy and yours sounds good too.Do you think I could add a Tbsp of rolled oats in that smoothie as well?
Hi Peter! I don’t see why you couldn’t add oats! Just blend away and enjoy! 🙂
There’s so much to be said for taking time off when you need it. Blogging absolutely is hard work, and I find the more stressed I am about the whole process, the lamer the result, ha! Getting refreshers in are essential for putting out great recipes. This smoothie looks soooo slurpable! Loving that mango!! xo
Thanks for your kind words and understanding, Julia. I’m glad I’m not the only one who goes through a slump every now and then. I love the mango in this smoothie too!
After just returning from vacation, I’m thinking I need to make a meal out of one of these smoothies. Looks great! Enjoy your Vitamix…it must be one heck of a machine. : )
It’s THE best! Thanks Monica! 🙂
I definitely fall in and out of blogging inspiration so totally get it!! My husband and I are WAY into smoothies lately so we will definitely have to try these!
Thanks, Joanne!
Looks yummy! I’m glad you’re feeling more enthusiastic and inspired about blogging 🙂
Thank you, Laura! 🙂
Yay your back!! I was so happy to see this bright green concoction on my feed.
Why thank you, love!
Girl, I feel you big time! My blog guilt has been gnawing at me pretty hard, but sometimes you just need a breather. Life gets busy. Life gets weird. We take vacations from regular jobs, so why not blogging! *blogger-on-sabbatical high five*
Girlfriend, I am high-fiving you back so hard right now! Boo to blogger guilt. Yes to blog sabbaticals when necessary! xo