Fresh Town Smoothie with Hidden Greens + Plastic-Free July

This smoothie will knock your socks off and wake you right up on a hot summer morning! Fresh mint and kale are hidden beneath a layer of chocolate, banana, and Medjool dates, creating a refreshing and sweet smoothie packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants!

 

 

Some things were made for each other. Peanut butter and jam. Cam and Mitch. (Veggie) Burgers and (sweet potato) fries. Apple and cheese. A kiss and a squeeze. To that list, I will happily add chocolate and mint. Ever since I was a young one and discovered the magic that is the Girl Guides chocolate mint cookies, I have been hooked. However, my preference now is fresh mint over mint flavouring and raw cacao powder over processed chocolate. Cheers to maturing taste buds, lol!

This just might be my favourite summer smoothie yet! It combines in-season mint (which provides a much-needed cooling effect in this hot weather) and kale with magnesium- and antioxidant-rich raw cacao powder, potassium-rich frozen banana, dates, and almond butter for a nutritious drink that will wake you right up and energize you for your morning activities. You could even add your favourite plant protein powder to it and turn it into more of a meal on the go!

I personally like to drink this smoothie before a morning run, then come back and eat more of a meal after that. It provides just the boost that I need to get myself out the door!

And now, on a more serious note, let’s talk about plastic. It goes without saying that humankind has created a HUGE and devastating plastic crisis around the world, and that it is up to us all to change that now. Please consider joining Plastic Free July and refuse single-use plastic in your daily life. Bring your own containers, shopping bags, utensils, and straws. Consider making your own baked goods and prepared foods instead of purchasing them from the store, if they normally come in plastic. And if you would like to delve more deeply into the plastics/consumerist culture issue, watch these documentaries:

A Plastic Ocean

The Story of Stuff

Albatross: The Film

Plastic China 

Clean Bin Project

And if you are looking for practical ways to implement the zero waste lifestyle in your own life, check out a few of my greatest inspirations: Marina of Eco Goddess; Bea Johnson of Zero Waste Home; and Lauren of Trash is for Tossers.

It’s the kind of issue where we don’t have time to wait for our government to implement the necessary changes and bans on plastics. We need to act as individuals and communities. The first “R” should be REFUSE single-use plastic! Trust me, it’s really quite easy once you get into the habit.

Okay okay okay, now that I have that off my chest, back to the food!

If you make this smoothie, let me know! Leave a comment below, and tag your creations on Instagram with @holisticallie and #holisticallie!

Fresh Town Chocolate Mint Smoothie 

Servings: 1
Cuisine: Vegan, Plant-based
Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup non-dairy milk
• 1 large frozen banana, chopped
• 2 Medjool dates, soaked if hard
• 2 tbsp raw cacao powder
• 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup torn kale, packed
• 1 tbsp almond butter
• 2 ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and sip with your favourite glass or stainless steel straw.