Craving a smoothie but want to skip all the sugar? If so, use this opportunity to get a little adventurous and try a smoothie that’s a little more savory (unconventional, we know!).
Inspired by theheart-healthy Mediterranean Diet, the smoothie below (which can also be made into a gazpacho-like soup) is packed with nutritious goodness featuringinflammation-fighting monounsaturated fats, vision-protecting vitamin A, immune boosting vitamin C, and heart-healthy potassium, Step out of your smoothie comfort zone - you’ll be glad you did!
Mediterranean Twist Smoothie Recipe
Makes 2 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup baby spinach, tightly packed1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ Hass avocado
¼ teaspoon salt
½ to 1 teaspoon garlic, minced (optional)
1 teaspoon olive oil or flax seed oil
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, basil, or tarragon, packed (optional)
¾ cup water
DIRECTIONS:
Wash and prep ingredients. Blend ingredients in a blender and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts Per Serving
Calories: 130, Fat 9.8 g, Protein: 2.8 g, Carbohydrate: 11.4 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium 25.2 mg, Potassium: 594 mg, Sugars: 3.0 g, Vitamin A: 43%, Vitamin C: 31%, Calcium: 5.7%, Iron: 7.3%
Lori Vargas, Spa Vargas Wellness founder, entrepreneur, spa consultant, mother, Ironman triathlete
Lori Vargas founded Spa Vargas Wellness in 2001 and currently has 3 locations in the Chicagoland area. Since then, she founded Vargas Consulting with projects that include Hilton, Sheraton, Wyndham, and Key Lime Cove, and in 2009, the International Massage and Spa Academy. Based on her experience in the spa industry, the curriculum focuses on educating students to become business minded nurturing massage therapists. As a mother of two boys, Lori strives to create a balanced life and is always in the pursuit of living in the present. “My children have become my inspiration, and I am grateful to them for the happiness they have brought to my life. Of course, we have a dog, two cats, two parakeets, and three fish, so our home is not a tranquil environment!