Healthy Shamrock Shake made with greek yogurt, avocado, spinach and pure mint extract.

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If you’re anything like me, once the chocolate decadence of Valentine’s Day passes your sweet tooth moves on to those bright green McDonald’s Shamrock shakes. Smooth, minty, and always with the maraschino cherry on top. They’re good, so good you usually slurp every last bit through that classic red and white striped straw even though it’s a mere 30 degrees here in March. And then….dun, dun, dun… the weird noises start-a-growlin’ and the tummy starts-a-rumblin’ as all the artificial flavors, colors, and ingredients that I can’t even pronounce travel through your body. Just look at the daunting list!

Ice Cream: Milk, sugar, cream, nonfat milk solids, corn syrup solids, mono- and diglycerides, guar gum, dextrose, sodium citrate, artificial vanilla flavor, sodium phosphate, carrageenan, disodium phosphate, cellulose gum, vitamin A palmitate. Mint Syrup: High fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, sugar, natural flavor (plant source), xanthan gum, citric acid, sodium benzoate (preservative), yellow 5, blue 1. Whipped Cream: High fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, sugar, natural flavor (plant source), xanthan gum, citric acid, sodium benzoate (preservative), yellow 5, blue 1. Maraschino Cherry: High fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, sugar, natural flavor (plant source), xanthan gum, citric acid, sodium benzoate (preservative), yellow 5, blue 1.

Yuck.

McDonalds’ Shamrock Shake – it’s time for a makeover. Today I’ve got a healthy redux that your body will love and is just as minty, creamy, and downright yummy. It’s naturally colored green from the hearty spinach that will also boost your Vitamin A and K. The rich avocado also gives it a little more of that lucky four leaf clover hue, but more importantly, it’s a great source of the Omega 3 fats you need everyday. (and so are the chia seeds!) Add in Greek yogurt for protein plus a little natural sweetness from the agave nectar and you’re sitting pretty. With all natural ingredients and the nutrition that your body deserves, you can indulge in this Shamrock Shake as you please!

Healthy Shamrock Shake

3/4 c. soy milk (or milk of your choice)
1/2 c. greek yogurt (or frozen greek yogurt)
1/2 small avocado
2 t. chia seeds
1 handful spinach leaves
1/4 t pure mint extract (or 5 fresh mint leaves)
1 1/2 T agave nectar
4-5 ice cubes (or omit if using frozen greek yogurt)

Add ingredients to blender in order listed. Blend on medium for 30 seconds to get it all going, then turn that switch to high for 1-1/2 minutes to create this creamy treat. (The Vitamix does wonders for this job!)