I hope everyone had a fab Easter break. We kept it simple this year and stayed home and enjoyed time together as a family enjoying big mugs of hot milky tea, warm hot cross buns slathered in butter and maybe a few sneaky choccie easter eggs. It was a bleak and dreary weekend in our part of the world and I was so thankful we didn't have crazy ideas of going camping this year. We have in years passed but that was B.K (Before Kids) but the sheer energy that goes into putting together a camping trip these days is beyond me at the moment. As I type this though plans are in motion to go for a short camping trip in the coming weeks for a two night stay at a local dam in our area. I will keep you posted on the outcome of that. It could end in tears. In the mean time it's time to get some green goodness into the body after the weekends binge on Easter treats. Anyone else feeling a little rough around the edges after the sugar over load from the weekend? Then this Ultimate Energy Boosting Green Smoothie is what you need.

I love me a good green smoothie any day of the week. But when my body is lagging in energy and I feel like I need an injection of goodness and zip this Ultimate Energy Boosting Green Smoothie is my go to drink. It is what my body craves if I'm feeling run down and tired or if I've over indulged to many days in a row. I live on these in the early days of motherhood when I am living on zero sleep and all I want to do is raid the chocolate chip container. This smoothie hits all the right spots in the craving department with chocolatey goodness from the cocoa and the addition of the almond butter and banana gives a scrumptious snickers type flavour to the smoothie. Oh yeah. Have I got your attention now? Swap this with peanut butter and it would taster even more like that. The oats and vegetables inject some fibre goodness to keep the plumbing works under control. You might scrunch your nose up at the addition of celery, cucumber and spinach but you really cannot taste it. The glorious sweetness from the banana, apple and cocoa balances it out nicely. Don't skimp on the ice. I love my smoothies ice cold. I generally make this smoothie up for breakfast or lunch but have been known to down one at dinner if I'm feeling particularly lazy or run down.

I'll grant you this it doesn't look to pretty once blended but after your first deep sip you'll forget the interesting colour and thank me for the pretty darn good smoothie you are now enjoying. J.D adores this smoothie and really it's the only way I can inject some greens into his diet. His sandwich only eating stance at lunch times has now changed to no sandwiches at all. He refuses to eat anything I make him for lunch these days. I have tried enticing him with sneaky home made fritters packed full of veggies, ham and cheese, savoury muffins, healthy pancakes, wraps and pita pizzas. This has all been met with "I don't yike (like) this mummy". The frustration mounts. What do I feed this child. I do make him eat what I have made him but it's a long slow battle which I don't want to have to repeat every.single.day. These smoothies are my saving glory. He will drink them without blinking an eye and no "I don't yike this mummy" comes from his mouth. The angels sing Hallelujah. I ask him what he wants for lunch some days and his reply is " A smoovie mum". Fingers crossed he will continue enjoying these for awhile to come. I hope you yike this smoovie too!

Ultimate Energy Boosting Green Smoothie

Prep Time: 5min

Serves: 1-2

Ingredient:

1 1/2 cups almond milk
1 stick celery
2 inch piece cucumber
1 large handful of baby spinach
1/4 of large banana
1 small apple, cored
3 tablespoon oats
1 tablespoon cocoa
1/2 tablespoon almond butter
5-6 ice cubes

Instructions:

Place all the ingredients into a high speed blender in the order stated.
Blend for 1 -2 minutes until smooth.
Pour into a large glass and garnish with slices of banana and a sprinkling of oats.
Enjoy!

Cooks Notes

Make a double batch and keep half in the fridge for the next day.
Swap the almond butter with peanut butter for even more of a snickers flavoured smoothie.