(Adapted from Green Smoothie Joy)

1 apple (unpeeled but cored and cut into fourths)
1/2 – 1 avocado or 1 banana
1 cup of blueberries (fresh or frozen)
2 handfuls of spinach
1 TSP of chocolate powder or 1-2 TBSP of cacao nibs
1 TBSP of ground flax seed
1 cup of water or green tea
1 cup of crushed ice

This smoothie is a great way to start your morning on a healthy note. You can’t find fault with the ingredients; they’re full of vitamins, fiber and phytochemicals, which are substances found in plant-based foods. The American Cancer Society reports that some phytochemicals act as antioxidants or have hormone-like effects on the body that may help inhibit some types of cancer. Best of all, though, the smoothie tastes great.

I’m a big believer in using good nutrition to stave off illnesses and to help maintain a healthy body and weight. So I’ve always been interested in the health benefits of particular foods. In this smoothie, you get a little bit of a lot of different nutrients.

The apple contains vitamin C and is rich in fiber, but be sure not to peel it because a lot of the fiber and almost all of the antioxidants are actually in the peel. For this reason, I recommend buying organic apples to avoid the pesticides sprayed on the conventional varieties. If you do buy conventional, be sure to wash it thoroughly before you use it.

You can use fresh or frozen blueberries in this smoothie, whatever you have on hand. I tend to buy frozen ones when they’re on sale or fresh when they’re in season and a bit cheaper. Again, organic is the best way to go with blueberries. The cacao nibs are basically raw chocolate and are also a source of antioxidants. They’re crunchy on their own and a little bit bitter, but they work really well in smoothies.

To make this Breakfast Filler Green Smoothie, simply add all of the ingredients into a high-speed blender. You’ll need a high speed blender in order to completely grind the cacao nibs and apple peel. I use a Vitamix, an appliance that I purchased about a year ago and have never regretted. They are a bit pricey, but I use mine almost every day. So the cost has been worth it to me. The water should go in first, with the frozen ingredients being added last. Blend together and enjoy! If you like your smoothie on the sweeter side, you can always add a little Stevia or some honey.