Healthy Smoothie Recipe for Mothers

Healthy mothers eat the right amount of good, proper, food. One of my top diet tips is to plan healthy snacks.

This week, Kendra Thorton and I have been discussing what works best. "When we're hungry we make bad food choices" Laura Clark tells us. We need alternatives to the tempting biscuit/doughnut/cake/chocolate bar/creamy hot-chocolate/other nutritionally-empty-snack. Kendra has been to 28 countries and seeks out authentic cuisine from around the world, and she told me about a recent gem she's discovered: the Shamrock Shake.

We thought you might like to try it. So just in time for St Patrick's Day, Kendra offered to share her recipe.

Kendra:
Who would think a trip to Miami and all of it's Cuban influence would inspire me to share a recipe for St. Patrick's Day? I ordered this fabulous concoction during my recent stay at the Fontainebleau, ranked amongst some of the top hotels in Miami Beach*.  As you can imagine, this place offers every bit of upscale-chic luxury you would expect, and it's located right on the beach.

Though they had me from the moment I stepped inside, it was this captivating smoothie served on the pools cape (no, not poolside -- "pools cape" -- this was the Fontainebleau after all) that truly won me over. Made from avocado and coconut milk, it's a taste of Miami I will be happy to relive again and again.  

I can't wait to make this Shamrock Shake for my friends and family back in Chicago.  With natural ingredients and healthy fats, it's a way better alternative to that "other" green shake we see hanging out of drive thru windows every March.  This Shamrock Shake is fit for leprechaun's young and old alike!

Here is the recipe so you can whip up your own signature Shamrock Shake just in time for St. Patty's Day.  Although this decadent treat already has a green tint, add some green food coloring to make it even more festive!  Also, be sure the avocados are super-ripe for best flavor -- they should yield easily to gentle pressure.  Well, what are you waiting for?  Gather your favorite lads and lasses and throw on some lucky green socks for a taste of Miami with an Irish twist.

Shamrock Shake Made Healthy

Makes 4 servings (1 cup each)

Ingredients:

- 1 14oz can coconut milk (or other kind of milk)
- 3 tablespoons honey, (or other sweetener, to taste)
- 1 ripe avocado, quartered
- 1 cup of crushed ice
- 1 tsp. peppermint extract
- 1 T. peppermint extract

DIRECTIONS:
Blend all ingredients in blender or food processor.  Enjoy and Happy St. Patrick’s Day ☺

*Those of us less accustomed to exotic travel than Kendra, let's get a bit of the Miami Beach chic in our own kitchens!