Happy St. Patrick’s Day Green Smoothie – have a Shamrock Shake the healthy way!

by on March 17, 2012

So I have been dying to get myself a Shamrock Shake from McDonald’s.

St. Patrick's Day Green Smoothie - Healthy Shamrock Shake

But then I realize that the last time I had one, I wasn’t thrilled.  I rarely indulge in a McDonald’s milkshake, but I don’t think they have been the same since they started putting whipped cream and a cherry on top.  I mean, this is McDonald’s, not an ice cream parlor, or even a diner.  Their food isn’t supposed to come with garnish.  Then I saw someone post the list of what is in a Shamrock Shake.  Not that I don’t ever consume those ingredients – I do loves me a McDonald’s Ice Cream Cone, and the ice cream is the main component of the shake – but it wasn’t worth the calories or chemicals for something I don’t really like.

St. Patrick's Day Green Smoothie - Healthy Shamrock ShakeBut it is St. Patrick’s Day, and for some reason, I still thought a Shamrock Shake for breakfast was the way to celebrate, since the rest of my plans for the day are decidedly NOT Irish.  I’ve seem a lot of versions posted on various blogs this week, but most involved ice cream.  So I decided to make one that was breakfast-worthy (but definitely still yummy enough for dessert).  And it does not involve any green food coloring.  Or added sugar. I think I will be making one for The Bug for snack.  Throw a banana in your freezer in chunks, and it’ll be ready to make this for an after dinner treat.

I am not a huge mint person.  I regularly think to myself that I wish they made peanut butter-flavored toothpaste.  So this is admittedly a little light on the mint.  If you like things really minty, go ahead and add more mint extract.  And no, you can’t taste the kale, and if you blend it up, you don’t even know it is there, other than the lovely green color it gives the smoothie.

What are you doing for St. Patrick’s Day?  Eating or drinking anything green?  Or Irish?

St. Patrick's Day Green Smoothie - Healthy Shamrock Shake

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Green Smoothie – Healthy Shamrock Shake
 
This St. Patrick’s Day Green Smoothie lets you have a Shamrock Shake the healthy way!
Author:
Recipe type: Smoothie

Ingredients
  • 1 frozen, really ripe banana
  • 1 c milk (I used Almond Breeze Almond Coconut Milk, but you can use any milk you choose)
  • ½ c kale (or other dark, leafy green of your choice)
  • ½ t vanilla extract
  • ¼ t mint extract
  • ice cubes – I used 4 regular-sized ones. This was probably about ¾ c. Adjust accordingly based on the size of your ice cubes and how icy you want it.

Instructions
  1. Put all ingredients into a blender (I used my trusty Magic Bullet), and blends until smooth.
  2. Pour into a glass to serve, and garnish with a strawberry, if you want to be all fancy.

Enjoy!

St. Patrick's Day Green Smoothie - Healthy Shamrock Shake

Shared with:

Katherine Martinelli’s Mint Blog Hop

I Heart Nap Time
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Em (Wine and Butter) March 17, 2012 at 12:30 pm

OMG – my St Paddys day post is exactly the same!! Well… slight variation on the green smoothie (coconut milk!!) but same basic theme. How funny!!! (although I have yet to post SO please please know there was no copying involved :) ).

Happy ST Paddys day to you and Bug!

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2 Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips March 17, 2012 at 12:46 pm

No worries! There seem to be a million variations on this theme floating around out there this week :-) Hope you have something fun planned!

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3 Lisa March 18, 2012 at 3:09 pm

This shamrock shake version is definitely more my speed than McD’s…..not to say I wouldn’t probably enjoy the “real” (but really artificial!) thing, but that ingredient list does burn me a little….

I had one 3 years ago and was disappointed, so since then, I’ve just made my own versions (some gross…especially the more health I try to make it)… Yours looks pretty and delish–thanks for sharing :-)

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4 Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips March 18, 2012 at 8:02 pm

It was really good. I made another one for Tyler and I for a snack later in the day :-)

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5 Katherine Martinelli March 18, 2012 at 5:36 pm

This looks way better than anything at McDonald’s! Thanks for linking up at my blog hop :-) Pinned!

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6 Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips March 18, 2012 at 8:03 pm

Thanks. So happy I found your blog and blog hop.

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7 Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips March 28, 2012 at 2:26 am

Thank you, and thanks for checking it out. I am in the midst of a big re-design, so hopefully you’ll check back and see lots of good changes.

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