It’s a beautiful day here in Virginia, but I wouldn’t really know it because I’ll be cooped up inside all day working! Unfortunate. BUT today is Tuesday which means we’re exactly one week away from leaving for Georgia!!! Very exciting! We haven’t even begun to think about packing or getting the house ready…hmmm…that will have to wait. Yesterday I mentioned that I’ve been enjoying a chocolate version of my favorite green monster drink. So I’m back today with the easy recipe!

This version has all the goodness of the original Green Monster, with some delicious additions. I previously tried making it chocolate using cocoa powder, but I really wasn’t liking the way that tasted. I found that chocolate syrup works WAY better for a few reasons. It’s sweetened, it’s chocolatey tasting instead of cocoaey tasting (makin up words over here), and also the brand I use has a little xantham gum, which is a naturally derived ingredient that makes your smoothie super smooth and thick. Some people (like the awesome Peanut Butter Fingers) add straight xantham gum to thier smoothies just to get that delicious effect. WATCH OUT with the chocolate syrup you use, because chances are it could just be made of high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavoring. And that just defeats the purpose of such a healthy smoothie!

I love this syrup, it has no high fructose corn syrup and it tastes so much more like real chocolate than other syrups. A little fresh peanut butter doesn’t hurt to make this smoothie even more awesome.

(I used the Trader Joe’s honey roasted peanuts for this batch…SO good!) And also the addition of a supplement powder or protein powder helps to pack some extra nutritional punch.

You don’t have to add a powder, but why not? I love this brand because it contains “a full spectrum of alkalizing green superfoods, antioxidant rich fruits, and support herbs united with organic Acai, Maca and Cacao to provide a powerful dose of whole food nutrition with a delicious dark chocolate taste. Complete with pre & probiotics and digestive enzymes to ensure rapid nutrient absorption and healthy digestion. It boosts your energy and immune system. No Synthetic, Isolated or Fractionated Vitamins & Minerals. Product with beneficial enzymes, carotenoids and phytonutrients (plant pigments) that help fight free-radical damage, aging and tumor causing mutations. ” (from the product description) Sounds good to me. When I drink it I feel like superwoman.

Chocolate Green Monster

• 1 c. plain almond milk
• 2 large handfuls fresh baby spinach
• 1 banana, frozen
• 2 T. natural peanut butter
• 1 scoop chocolate nutritional drink powder
• 1-2 T. chocolate syrup (depending on how chocolatey you want it)
• 1/3 c. crushed ice

-In the following order place the ingredients into your blender: milk, spinach, banana, drink powder, chocolate syrup, peanut butter.

-Blend on high until very smooth. Add crushed ice and continue to blend for about 15 seconds, just until the ice has blended in. Drizzle with chocolate syrup if desired. Makes one large serving.

This is SOOO good, it tastes like a cross between a chocolate milkshake and a peanut butter, banana, and chocolate sandwich. YUM! I think I could actually get my little sister to drink this!

I’m tellin you…this little green guy will change your life. If you’re like me and struggle with getting the right amount of veggies in every day, this is for you. Don’t let the color scare you! Green is beautiful! And so is chocolate.

I mentioned that we watched Food Inc last week, and a few days ago we watched Capitalism: A Love Story, which a Michael Moore film. LOVED it (of course). I kind of hate how much I loved it because I really wish I could be more objective about things and not just be a 100% liberal peace-loving hippie…but deep down inside I can’t fight it. I really do try to approach every issue objectively, and I will always try to do that. Not my fault if I end up feeling the same way at the end of the road every time. I like that he went after the democrats too in this film, it’s really good to see that side of things. Just as Food Inc. made me want to revolutionize the UDSA and FDA, this film made me want to go into white collar criminal law. It sounds…really fun. Really.

The movie is on Netflix instant play if you’re interested (so is Food Inc.). While I learned some things from the movie, it actually left me with a lot of questions. I want to read and learn more about a lot of these issues, so hopefully I’ll be able to do that this summer. Ya know…some sizzling material about labor unions along with my Us Weekly…that’s how I roll.

Thanks for reading!

-Lauren