Green Smoothies Fit for Santa

The last couple days before Christmas usually involve several activities. Last-minute shopping. Lots of cookie baking. A step many people forget? Eating extra greens, veggies, and antioxidants before holiday feasts!

Luckily, I have a smoothie bowl that is perfect for these last days before Christmas - or even Christmas morning. This bowl is packed with multiple servings of tasty fruits, hidden veggies (like spinach and zucchini), antioxidant-filled powders (like spirulina and turmeric), metabolic boosters like green tea and cinnamon, and plant-based protein from granola and chia seeds - not to mentioned creamy, dreamy taste!

Even Sammi wanted a bite!

Another bonus? With green and red colors, even Santa wouldn't mind finding this with his cookies Christmas Eve!

To get started, gather the ingredients below. As with all of my smoothie recipes, substitutions are welcome. Find what makes your belly and taste buds start caroling, and blend it up!

For the smoothie:

1/2-3/4 a frozen, cut zucchini and/or squash

3/4 cup of frozen cantaloupe, melon, bananas, pineapple, or strawberries (could also add berries, but it might change the bright green color)

2 large handfuls of spinach (or alternate leafy green)

1/2 cup of (decaf) green tea

2-4 tbsp of coconut milk (depending on how thick you want your smoothie)

1 TBSP of chia seeds

1 TBSP cinnamon

Pinch of nutmeg 

optional: 1 TBSP turmeric, 1 tsp spirulina

When blending this in my Vitamix, I add the liquid, spices/powders, and chia seeds first. Then, throw in your frozen vegetables and fruit and blend it up! Now, my favorite part - the toppings, or Christmas decorations in this case. 

Smoothie selfies?

To make a smoothie bowl that even the Grinch would devour, stick to Christmas colors and shapes. For my Winter Wonderland smoothies, I used strawberries, banana, blueberries, pomegranates, homemade granola, nut butter, and chocolate sauce (mix melted coconut oil with cacao powder, pour it over your smoothie, and watch it freeze!). 

Some easy Christmas ideas? Cut strawberries lengthwise and turn them into mini Christmas trees! Line them in a vertical or horizontal row, surrounded with other toppings, for a Christmas tree forest with granola "snow." If Frosty's your favorite dude, cut the strawberries across the base to create circles of varying sizes. Then, shape a top hat and arms out of banana coins. Stack the circles and the hat and wala! Frosty the (edible) snowman!

Tis the season!

For a very special Christmas morning, you can combine "healthy" and "holiday" worlds by topping your smoothie bowl with a Christmas cookie! Santa's on a health kick this year!

With Christmas only a few days away, fueling up with healthy food can fall on the bottom of the holiday to-do list. Smoothies act as a healthy, easy and delicious way to load up on nutrients (and holiday spirit) before the Christmas feast.

That's one gift you don't need to wait to enjoy!


*Also found at RunningwithSpoon's link party!*

What's your favorite holiday-inspired meal? Do you ever "Christmas-ize" your favorite meals? Comment below!