Prep time: 5 min. Blend time: 1 minute or less.

Green SmoothieI try to keep a stock of vegetables and fruits in my fridge at all times for spontaneous smoothie making, in case I get hungry or snacky – so there’s always a healthy and yummy, freshly made treat around! Besides, I feel healthy when I open the fridge and see a little garden inside; it inspires me to eat better. So – speaking of eating, here’s one I pulled together, perfect for summer days where I could use a bit of tummy calming cleansing. This is a light smoothie – more than a juice, but less than a meal.

1 cup spinach

1/3 cup fresh mint leaves

1/3 cup parsley1 piece fresh, peeled ginger (up to 1/2 the size of your thumb if you love ginger like me!)

1 bartlett pear

Coconut water

Mix all ingredients and enough coconut water to cover the ingredients + a bit. Blend till a liquid – but try for less than 1 minute. The more coconut water (or mix with regular water if you don’t have a lot of coconut water,) the more like a juice it will become. The less, the thicker it is. You get the idea. Now… why is this so darn good for you, in addition of just being good:

SPINACH High in Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Manganese, Folate & Magnesium, Spinach is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. With Fiber-galore, Spinach will get your metabolism moving and grooving. Read more about all of the health benefits of Spinach here.

MINT: Mint is a great antioxidant, believe it or not, and has been traditionally chewed after a meal to 1. freshen breath and 2. reduce flatulation. Read more about all of the health benefits of Mint here.

PARSLEY: Not just a garnish. Parsley is an excellent source of Vitamin C, B 12, A and K. Along with its many other benefits, Parsley helps to flush excess liquid from the body *read: no more water weight*. Read more about all of the health benefits of Parsley here.

GINGER: Ginger is anti-inflammatory, great for digestion and increases circulation. Ginger is also known to be a great nausea-remedy for expecting mothers and those who experience motion-sickness. Learn more about the benefits of Ginger here.

PEAR: Pears are super high in fiber, keeping your bloat down and your bowels a-movin’! They also contain an impressive list of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, K, B2, B3, B6, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper, and Manganese.

COCONUT WATER: The coconut water is mostly for consistency, but it is also high in electrolytes to keep you energized all day long! Learn more about the benefits of Coconut Water here.

Drink and enjoy! Try to drink immediately, or at latest within 2 hours to maintain all the nutrients, newly released in the smoothie.