Are you a smoothie operator? I love smoothies; I find them a super convenient and tasty way to pack in the nutrients, be it for breakfast or later on in the day to refuel when you are World-weary or simply need to reenergise. (I love them after a hard workout session!)

This green melon smoothie is refreshing, tangy and a powerhouse of nutrients; from anti-oxidants, fibre to protein.

I have sweetened this with melon, banana and pineapple and balanced out the sweetness with spinach and cucumber. Pineapple is a great addition to smoothies; not only is it a great source of antioxidants, but also a rich source of bromelain, which helps to reduce inflammation, so can help alleviate joint pain, digestive complaints and allergies. Furthermore, did you know, pineapples are also a rich source of the ‘feel good’ amino acid, tryptophan? This is a precursor to the ‘happy hormone’ serotonin and so helps boost mood to prevent depression and anxiety. Food is medicine!

To bump up the nutritional profile, I have added protein powder and a blend of chia and dried goldenberry (Goldenberry and Chia powerblend).

You can make this smoothie and drink it from a glass or pour it into a bowl. I love making smoothie bowls so I can add toppings! 

Preparation time: 5 mins

Makes: 500ml

Ingredients:

• 40g baby spinach
• 1 frozen banana*
• 130g frozen pineapple chunks*
• 100g Galia, orange or Honeydew melon
• 75g cucumber chunk
• 1 tbsp Goldenberry and chia powerblend
• 5 tbsp protein powder (I use pea or soya bean varieties).
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 3cm chunk of ginger (optional)
• 60ml coconut water or plant milk

*Frozen if possible. This will work too unfrozen, but the end result will be less creamy

Topping ideas: Fresh fruit, quinoa crispies, granola, protein crispies, coconut chips, sliced carrot or radish, dried goldenberries, pumpkin seeds, goji berries, hemp seeds and chia seeds.

Method:

• Add all ingredients into a blender and whizz to combine. Pour into a bowl and decorate as desired.
• I used a combination of puffed quinoa, melon balls, toasted coconut, fresh blueberries, radish flowers topped with chia seeds in the middle (stamens!), sliced grapes, pumpkin seeds, dried goji berries and dried goldenberries.