Lightened Up – Healthy Shamrock Shake

Starting in high school and then in college, people would declare themselves obsessed with Shamrock shakes – they had to be the first to get their hands on one when they were released in February, and whined when they disappeared around Easter time.

I had some really troubled friends who decided mix them with vodka on St. Patrick’s day.  Eww.  By the way – you can now report your first sighting of the shakes.

I thought I’d beat them to the punch this year – and save them about 400 calories, 16 grams of sugar, and 9 grams of fat. You’re welcome.

I made two versions: one with ingredients that almost anyone could find at their supermarket, and one with more “blogger friendly” ingredients.  I hate when you have to go order something online to try a recipe – but they both taste pretty accurate.  No green food coloring needed (but you knew that already, right?).

I bought the mint extract around Christmas time and then accidentally poured it in a batch of muffins.  That was a bad morning.

Lightened Up Shamrock Shake (version 1)

• 1/2 frozen banana
• 2 handfuls of spinach (about 1 cup, packed)
• 5-6 almonds or cashews (I think salted cashews are best)
• 1/4 of a single avocado (or 2 heaping Tbsp) * key to a creamy shake
• 1 cup milk of choice (will change nutrition info)
• artificial sweetener as desired (I used 5 drops stevia – you can sub 1 Tbsp powdered sugar)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp mint extract (I don’t like them super-minty)
• 3-4 ice cubes

Approximate nutrition info: 175 calories, 9 grams fat, 11 grams sugar, 5 grams protein

Food Blogger Shamrock Shake (version 2)

• 1/2 frozen banana
• 2 handfuls of spinach (about 1 cup, packed)
• 1.5 tsp nutritional yeast (I think salted cashews are best)
• 1/4 of a single avocado (or 2 heaping Tbsp) * key to a creamy shake
• 1 cup almond milk
• artificial sweetener as desired (I used 5 drops stevia)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp mint extract (I don’t like them super-minty)
• 3-4 ice cubes
• optional: pinch of xanthan gum to maintain creaminess

Approximate nutrition: 160 calories, 6g fat, 11 g sugar, 6 g protein

You could definitely make this a meal with a scoop of vanilla protein powder.

Are you obsessed with these green milkshakes?  Maybe we can use them to help introduce green monsters into the diets of the average American! 😉