Green Strawberry Banana Smoothie [ with avocado ]

A vegan Green Strawberry Banana Smoothie with avocado for a boost of healthy fats plus added fiber. A delicious healthy way to start your morning and get those greens in!

this recipe

Happy Monday, peeps! Being the week of St. Patrick’s Day I felt it only right to bring you something green. << actually I think I have something green for every post this week, heehee.

But before we begin, let’s start this week with a little truth, shall we?

Girl, I think my butt gettin’ big. << No but seriously. That is actually what I am about to talk about.

How do I know? Um, how about the fact that I put on some dress pants I haven’t worn all season and I felt like my quads were basically suffocating. Every step I took my quads were like “Yup, we’re large and in charge. We don’t like these pants. Put some leggings on.” And when I looked in the mirror at my behind, I was shocked and started thinking “I can’t believe it’s just so round, it’s like, out there”. Yes, my thoughts were jumping back and forth between Nelly and Sir-Mix-a-lot song lyrics. I struggled for a hot second, started thinking “WTF, these pants were definitely loose one or two years ago. My thighs had PLENTY of room then. Now they can hardly breathe, MF.” << Legit thoughts right there.

So what did I do? I kept the damn pants on regardless and owned up to the fact that I must have put on quite a bit of muscle over the past two years. A part of me was (is?) still struggling, to be honest. Not many women like to feel like they’re getting bigger anywhere, especially when “getting big” wasn’t the initial goal when I started adding more weights into my exercise routine. But another part of me, was proud. Like “Yeah, my legs are a little bit bigger. Any maybe my butt is too. But my legs are also strong. I can swing more. I can squat more. I can jump higher, easier… this is cool, right?” RIGHT. Yes Ashley, it’s cool. So if you’re starting to notice changes in your body because you’ve been lifting or changing up your exercise routine and gaining more muscle, don’t let the fact that your pants are starting to fit differently (because you’ve got added muscle) change your mindset on how far you’ve come. The body is an amazing thing. I think the initial shock may be tough to get past, especially if whatever change you’re going through was not what was initially expected, but you can still be proud of what you’ve worked for and how far you’ve come. ?

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Alright, hope I didn’t bore you too much with that, I just felt like sharing in case anyone was struggling with similar thoughts, or has in the past 🙂

But now for this Green Strawberry Banana Smoothie with avocado…

That is correct… we are adding avocado into this green smoothie, which (obviously) contributes to it’s green color, but also provides you with a boost of healthy fats and a good source of fiber!

GUYS don’t fear the fat. It’s amazing how much I still hear people talk about how high in fat a particular food is, especially when it comes to nutrient dense foods like avocado and coconut oil. Our bodies need healthy fats, just like they need healthy carbs. And as cliché as it sounds, we just need a nice balance of it all. I actually feel very odd when I don’t have an avocado on hand in the house. I will put it on pretty much anything.

Because I want you all to love avocado as much as I do, here are just SOME of the benefits from this amazing green fruit

• high in fiber, good for digestion
• high in vitamin K, supporting bone health
• high in folate, which can lower risk for depression
• healthy fats, including oleic acid, which has been linked to reduced inflammation
  
• high in potassium, which can help reduce blood pressure

(source, source)

Okay so now for the rest of the fruit in this delish smoothie. The classic combo of

STRAWBERRIES AND BANANAS

When making smoothies I tend to go for frozen fruit, because I prefer the consistency over using fresh + adding ice. But that is personal preference, so adjust to your liking!

Also note, when using just fruit (versus adding yogurt, etc.) a little liquid goes a long way. In this case I used just about 1/3 cup of unsweetened cashew milk, but you could also use dairy milk if not vegan, coconut water, or just plain water. Type of liquid is definitely personal preference. If you’re using a sweetened liquid, just be aware that you’re adding more sugar that what the nutrition count states. I always like to cut out added sugar where I can, so what I drink is usually a reflection of that. However, if you think you’ll miss that touch of sweetness but still plan on using an unsweetened milk or liquid, try adding one or two teaspoons of raw honey. That way at least you’re getting in some nutritional benefits! 🙂

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Tools used for this recipe

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And for those wondering what the smoothie looks like when blending all together…

It’s not easy being green. Actually I think it’s pretty easy. Green smoothies don’t bother me and I honestly don’t understand when people say they won’t drink them because of the color. Put your green smoothie in an opaque cup and use a straw if you’re struggling, peeps. Come on. 😉 ?

How about you?

• Have you gone through some body changes recently that you’re adjusting to? I’d love the hear your thoughts.
• Any #girlswholift out there struggle with the dress pants issue?
• Are you a green smoothie person? Do you have a favorite?

 

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Green Smoothie Recipes from Friends

Pear Ginger Lime Green Smoothie — In It 4 The Long Run

Good-for-your-Gut Green Smoothie — The Blissful Balance

The Best Green Smoothie Bowl — The Balanced Berry

Banana Mango Avocado Smoothie — Emilie Eats

Lime in the Coconut Green Smoothie — FitLiving