green smoothie with whip
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Healthy Shamrock Shake

A friend of mine posted a rather disturbing article on FaceBook about how much sugar is in the Shamrock shake from McDonald’s.  All I can say is: Wow! Growing up, I can remember getting it during this time of year and I thought it was awesome. Don’t get me wrong here, my mom was (still is) an amazing role model.  She brought Jane Fonda’s 20 Minute Workout into our home and who doesn’t love Jane Fonda?

Let’s get back to the Shamrock shake.  As a dietitian and mother of two I have had no desire to take my kiddos to get a Shamrock shake, but this week I thought, eh, why not!

 

green shamrock shake from mcdonalds

 

How hard can it be?

Since I love green smoothies, I thought, how hard can it be to make my own healthy version? As it turns out, not hard at all.  Hey, McDonalds, you and your Shamrock shake can move aside because I am here to Shamrock and Shake It!

 

green smoothie with whip

 

My son already loves green smoothies, and although my daughter will drink greens in her smoothies, she won’t touch this one because she is not too keen on mint.  I am ok with that.  When I make her green smoothies, she actually has green, chocolate smoothies.  She would rather see green on her plate as opposed to in the shake.  So, don’t fret out there parents, just think a bit outside the box when getting your little ones (or big ones!) to eat their greens.

A big “green” edit!

If you regularly read blogs, you may see that some of them will have edits and this one, has a happy edit. You know how I am always saying to keep on trying with your little ones taste buds? Well, my daughter who once did not like mint, really loves it now! She was all over this shake especially when I added a 3 ingredient whip. 

 

maple syrup whipping cream vanilla

 

To make your homemade whip simply beat together 1 cup of whipping cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. Whip until it forms stiff peaks. If you have some leftover, this is super yummy on fresh berries.

 

bananas almond milk honey protein mix yogurt kale mint

 

So what’s in my healthy shake?

I used almond milk (vanilla, unsweetened is my favorite), bananas, yogurt, honey, fresh mint, kale and my favorite vanilla protein mix to make an unbelievably yummy healthy version of the Shamrock shake.

 

green shake inside a mcdonalds cup

 

A word on the mint. I typically will by the spearmint at the grocery store but this time I bought it from the Fresh Market and then I put in the freezer (which is why it looks a bit odd in the ingredients photo above). I love as many of my shake ingredients to be frozen since it just makes the texture so much yummier.

 

mint label

 

Personally, I have been adding matcha to my smoothie recipes and with this one already having an Earthy taste, the matcha goes quite well with it.  The matcha I only add to mine, not the kiddos.  Be sure to share your favorite “greens” of the day in the comments below.

 

Healthy Shamrock Shake

  • 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 serving vanilla protein powder
  • ½ medium frozen banana
  • 1 cup kale (for a less Earthy taste, try spinach)
  • 8 medium mint leaves
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ¼ cup Greek vanilla yogurt
  • ½ cup whipped cream (optional)

  1. Place all ingredients except whipped cream, into blender. Add ice gradually and blend until you reach your desired consistency. Remember those cute straws!