Drink it like a smoothie, eat it with a spoon or throw it back like a shot. But whatever you do to get in this chocolate mint green smoothie, it’s well worth it. Bottoms up!

Peppermint and chocolate are long-time allies in the world of flavor combinations. They just work, and so damn well at that. Chocolate is rich and earthy and peppermint is smooth and aromatic; together they go down easy, igniting your senses and releasing endorphins that could get your through any breakup. I’ve decided to take this classic pair and bring them to the beloved green smoothie so that you can enjoy a festive St. Patty’s Day without compromise your dietary goals.

Because a green smoothie condenses an otherwise large volume of ingredients into an easy-to-consume drink, it is important that each ingredient is the best of its kind. This means that they should be organic, raw and free of additives.

Instead of using a chocolate bar or chips for this green smoothie recipes, I’ve pared it down big time on sugar calories by sticking to cacao nibs. Use a raw version so as to extract the most nutrition (especially antioxidants) with each sip.

The spinach and mint work together to balance green goodness with flavor. Too much fresh mint can overwhelm the taste buds. Therefore, the spinach is there to provide more blood-cleansing chlorophyll to the body whilst keeping the green smoothie, well, green, and offsetting the perkiness of the mint’s flavors.

You can use any vegan milk of your choice, but be sure that is is unsweetened and (preferably) free of preservatives and other additives. Learn how to make your own almond milk to have the most control over what goes into your green smoothie. Almond butter is also something you can make yourself! Feel free to use other nut or seed butters in place of almond butter, though.

If you want to up the ante on the heftiness of this green smoothie with a protein powder, I’m personally a huge fan of this raw, vegan version called Sunwarrior. Stevia is also my go-to sweetener when the occasion calls. You could also add maple syrup, coconut palm sugar, or honey.

Chocolate Mint Green Smoothie

Makes 1 smoothie

Ingredients

• 2 overflowing cups of spinach (kale works well too)
• 1 cup almond milk
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 handful fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup chopped apple, mango, or pineapple
• 1 tablespoon raw almond butter
• 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
• Dash of cayenne
• 1 scoop protein powder (optional)
• Drops of liquid stevia to taste (optional)
• Ice (optional)

Directions: Add all to a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Related on EcoSalon

Sunday Recipe: Kale and Ginger Green Smoothie

Foodie Underground: Can I Have a Green Smoothie With That?

Sunday Recipe: Fig and Almond Energy Bites

Photo Credit: SweetOnVeg

The post Chocolate Mint Green Smoothie: A St. Patty’s Day Green Recipe that’s Good for You appeared first on EcoSalon.

Wishing for a Vitamix but just can’t come up with the cash? Enter to win  your very own Vitamix with the EcoSalon, Organic Authority and Well + Good NYC Sweepstakes!

Pulling together thoughtful sustainable meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner just got a whole lot easier. We’re big fans of all things plant-based, local, and organic but who has time to spend all day chopping greens? Knock a few items off your meal prep to-do list with this all-in-one versatile kitchen tool. Whether it’s a mango lassi or homemade miso soup, you can make yummy sustainable meals at home.

If you’ve ever used a Vitamix, you know that it provides restaurant quality results in a few seconds flat. But no matter how much time it saves you in the kitchen, it’s a pricey venture. That’s why we’ve partnered with Well + Good NYC to launch this awesome sweepstakes to win a free Vitamix 5200 [a $450 value]!

Vitamix is the universal tool for creating everything from your favorite kale smoothie to an orgasmic parsnip puree. The 64-ounce container is big enough to create tasty meals for the whole family with chef-quality results.

Put all your favorite organic fruits, vegetables, superfoods, and plant-based proteins to work in your very own Vitamix. Chop, cream, blend, heat, grind, churn–basically do it all with one versatile kitchen tool. When you’re all done, clean up is a cinch just add a drop of dish soap and run on high for 30 seconds. That’s it!

Enter to win your very own Vitamix along with a Getting Started Guide, DVD tutorial and cookbook with over 100 chef-tested recipes just by entering our EcoSalon/Well + Good NYC Sweepstakes.

Want that Vitamix 5200? Enter today! The Sweepstakes start at 8:00 AM EST on Monday, November 4, 2013 and ends at 8 AM EST on Friday, November 22, 2013 (“Contest Period”). Learn more about eligibility, and other terms and conditions at Well + Good NYC. Good luck ES readers and here’s to hoping that we can all juice our way to health and happiness this holiday season. Still haven’t signed up? ENTER HERE.

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Related on EcoSalon:
Can I Have a Kale Smoothie with That
Vegan Smoothies: Mango Lassi
Sunday Recipe: Kale and Ginger Green Smoothie

Image: quinn.anya

The post Wanna Win a Free Vitamix?! Enter the EcoSalon/Well + Good NYC Sweepstakes ($450 Value) appeared first on EcoSalon.

A round-up of what we’re reading right now.

If you think the widening chasm between the financially-rich and the rest spells trouble for American democracy, have a look at the growing gulf between the information-rich and-poor. [Via Salon]

This article deconstructs some of the most common myths that create unnecessary anxiety in relationships even among the most level-headed, intelligent people. [Via MindBodyGreen]

It finally happened. An artist has attempted to replicate herself using a 3D printer. You might be surprised at the results. [Via Fast Co. Design]

When the cool weather hits, your skin freaks and gets extra thirsty. Counteract it by making this moisture-boosting smoothie that’s full of stealth skin-savers. [Via Well+GoodNYC]

In a new video, Emmy-award winning actor James Cromwell discusses the horrors pigs endure at Walmart supplier Pipestone System’s Rosewood Farm in Minnesota. [Via Care2]

Image: amecoli

The post Link Love: 5 Myths About Relationships and A Beauty-Boosting Smoothie appeared first on EcoSalon.