Happy Monday guys!

Whose favourite flavour of ice cream was mint chocolate chip as a kid? Mine was. Well it still is!

This smoothie tastes like mint chocolate chip ice cream, but without the sugar crash and chemical additives.

What’s inside

This smoothie is loaded with healthy organic ingredients like mint, greens, cacao, chia seeds, and collagen. And it’s vegan, plant-based, gluten-free and sugar-free.

Ever wonder why you feel really good after having some fresh fruits and veggies?

Raw fruits and veggies contain something called phytonutrients.

What are phytonutrients?

The word prefix “phyto” comes from the Greek word meaning plant. Phytonutrients (also called phytochemicals) are a natural component in plants that helps them to fend off fungi, germs, bugs and other threats. In humans they play a very similar role. Phytonutrients have been shown to help prevent disease and to help the body maintain its normal functions. Some 25,000 phytonutrients can be found in plants.

Raw fruits and veggies

So when you’re feeling tired or just not so good. Maybe you didn’t get enough sleep, it’s really hot outside, or you just ate something that made you feel weird. Eat some raw fruits and veggies. They have these things called phytonutrients that will help your body fight off whatever’s going on internally, and will make you feel better.

Other health benefits of this smoothie

For info on the health benefits of some of the other superfoods in this smoothie, like chia seeds, cacao, and collagen click on the respective links here for my previous articles about them.

Health benefits of mint

Mint in its organic form is very good for a number of various health factors. It improves oral health, quickly helps alleviate nausea and clears up congestion. It’s also been shown to prevent cancer, and is a natural stimulant that alleviates fatigue.

Okay on to the blending, here’s how I did it

Ingredients

1/2 cup organic milk (can substitute with almond milk, coconut milk or other non-dairy milk)
1 cup spinach
1/2 frozen banana
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp chia seeds
1 tbsp mint leaves
1/8 tsp peppermint extract
1/2 scoop collagen protein powder (for a discount on your next order of further food collagen you can use the code NATASHA10)
1/4 cup water

Toppings

Cacao nibs

Directions

Add all your ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Then top with cacao nibs and you're all done.

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Recipe and photos are mine and original. Shot on iPhone 7 Plus.

You can also connect with me on Instagram

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And for more of my clean and healthy recipes click the links below:

Banana Nut Butter Crepes

Cinnamon Chia Overnight Oats

Zucchini Fritters and Homemade Tzatziki

Mint Chocolate Coconut Bark

Strawberry Partfait Bars

Vegan Pizza and Homemade Pesto

Raw Chocolate Fudge Bites

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins a.k.a Chocolate Banana Bread

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Chocolate Sweet Potato Brownies

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Donuts

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Sources:

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-mint.html
http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/phytonutrients-faq#1