Not Your Ordinary Banana Smoothie
By: Noelle Twiggs
Published: May 14, 2013

My neighborhood smoothie bar serves up a Banana Split Smoothie that I could sip on just about everyday. And it turns out my husband and my son feel the same way.  I recently decided to make a version of this banana smoothie at home. In my version, I use a generous serving of frozen bananas which contain tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin, and help boost your mood. A creamy almond milk and a nutty almond butter lend a pleasant consistency and a protein boost. I also like to toss in a a handful of iron-rich spinach, and a sprinkle of a good cocoa powder (which is a guilty pleasure, but fortunately linked to a few health benefits too!). It’s a new household favorite.
PS - Don't be intimidated by the addition of the tender baby spinach in this smoothie. It simply fades into the background, providing only a nutrient-rich boost (but no spinach taste).
Not Your Ordinary Banana Smoothie
Serving Size: 1 (290 calories per serving)
Ingredients
2 bananas, frozen
	1 cup almond milk
	1 tablespoon almond butter or organic peanut butter
	1/2 tablespoon good cocoa
	1 handful baby spinach
	 
Better-for-you ingredients
Learn more about the better-for-you ingredients in this recipe:

Bananas – Health beauties love the high fiber content of bananas. They are also rich in natural sugars (glucose, sucrose and fructose) which provide a healthy energy boost. Learn more here.

 
Directions
Place ingredients into a good powerful blender until smooth and creamy. Thin with water or thicken with ice if desired. Enjoy!