Healthy Chocolate Mint Smoothie with Raspberries and Avocado

Does Christmas time beg for something healthy? Or, maybe not!  After all, the holidays is the time to splurge a little...right?  However, maybe you're really yearning for a treat, but a healthy one!

If this is the case and you want to feel like your indulging, but really want to make better choices.  Then here's a smoothie that has all good healthy stuff in it, but you wouldn't know it.

Healthy Chocolate Mint Smoothie with Raspberries and Avocado

If you're a smoothie aficionado, then you know how great an avocado can make a difference in a smoothie. I'm sure by now, you've heard how avocados have a substantial amount of monounsaturated fat (the good fat) and have nearly 20 nutrients and contain a numerous amount of health benefits.  Don't believe me? Read Medical News Today to find out how super fantastic these little green gems hold up.

O.k. so these little gems are healthy, but how do they hold up in a smoothie, you ask? I love them in smoothies! They make the smoothie so thick and creamy and essentially don't affect the taste.  You're adding nutrients, making it thick and creamy and who doesn't want a smoothie that's thick and creamy?   

Most of us would say "yes, yes, I do like thick and creamy!" So, why wouldn't you toss in an avocado into your next smoothie?

Since I was trying to create a Christmas theme smoothie, I thought adding some peppermint flavor would give it a festive twist.  I hadn't ever put fresh mint in a smoothie before, so this was my first time experimenting with that.

In my opinion, the fresh mint did have a somewhat bitter after affect, so I tried an 1/8 tsp of Peppermint extract instead, then added a little honey and that was less bitter for me.  But, I say add whatever suits your fancy.

Here's what's included in this healthy smoothie.

1 smoothie serving

Ingredients:

• Handful of spinach
• 1/2 Avocado
• 3.5 - 4 oz. plain Greek yogurt or vanilla yogurt for a sweeter smoothie
• 1/2 cup vanilla reduced sugar almond milk or regular lowfat milk
• 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup frozen raspberries
• 1/8 tsp peppermint extract or 4 fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup crushed ice
• 1 packet of Stevia (sweetener) or 1 Tbsp honey (or both if needed)
• Chopped dark chocolate for garnish (optional)

Put all in a blender or Nutri-Bullet (except the chopped dark chocolate) and blend until smooth.  Pour in a glass and garnish with chopped chocolate and raspberries.

This smoothie is filling and a good healthy break from cookies, pies and all those Christmas treats!

Hope you enjoy and have a Merry Christmas!