I usually have to google acronyms like “FTW“, but I’ve finally started remember what this one stands for–mostly because I’m trying to live my life with more #ftw . Life is too short not to. And, life is too short to drink gross green smoothies.

I’ve been experimenting a lot lately with using up the greens in my fridge, putting them in a blender and whirring it around for a while. I’ve definitely had some fails (ex: I accidentally used a bag of ‘mixed greens’, which included mustard greens. If you’ve ever had raw mustard greens you know that they’re a bit spicy–that mixed with almond milk is kiiiiiiiinda gross, and not a pleasant surprise at 5:30am. OR, that time I used kale with all the stems on and couldn’t stop pooping–TMI, my bad, but really. Be careful.)

SO. I am no Registered Dietitian, but I love food, I obsess about nutrition and here are a few of the great things about green smoothies.

• They are a great BLAST of nutrition first thing in the morning
• You can add protein in it, so if you don’t like eating first thing in the morning these are a great option to sip on while you sip your coffee.
• Fiber. See above, just be careful with HOW much fiber you’re consuming…
• They can TASTE amazing. (I say ‘can’ because they can also taste like dirt.)

Here’s my favorite recipe so far:

1 big fist full of spinach (I’ve found spinach has less of an ‘earthy’ flavor than kale, and it’s what I had in my fridge this morning)
1/2 of a frozen banana (adds sweetness to cut through the grassy taste. I’ve also used frozen berries)
1 scoop of collagen protein amino acids (made from beef, tastes like nothing, I PROMISE)
2 table spoons of Jif Powdered Peanut butter (more protein, a nutty flavor)
1 cup of cashew milk
Dash of cinnimon and some vanilla extract
3 ice cubes
Throw all this in the blender and let it go for 3-4 minutes. I’ve found the longer you spin it around the better–especially if you’re using a heartier green, like kale. 

Enjoy the toxic green beverage out of whatever glass jar you have. I put mine in old peanut butter jars with a tight lid so I can bring it with me where ever I’m headed and enjoy it while I write or get settled at work. Let me know your favorite way to enjoy a green smoothie–I’m always up for learning more about these guys!