Banana Pear Smoothie With a Twist (or two)

One of the things I really look forward to in late Spring and all throughout the Summer is the abundance of fresh and exotic fruits and vegetables available. I have already started taking advantage of all the fresh fruit that is overflowing at my local fruit and vegetable shops. This time of year is also great for me because I crave more fruits and vegetables in my cooking and for snacking, so it helps in making good healthy choices. Smoothies are a good snack or even lunch obviously because of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that fresh fruits and vegetables contain and because a good smoothie will leave you feeling full for hours. But let's not go crazy here, because drinking your fruits and veggies can be more caloric than just munching on fruits and veggies. The reason is that many people go crazy on adding additional sweeteners, adding too much milk or yogurt , and the addition of toppings like whipped cream. I try to stay away from adding these ingredients as much as possible unless I need more vitamins or calcium for my daily intake. The point to this is to keep a healthy snack-drink-dessert just that healthy and low fat. So today I have another fruit smoothie recipe it's a Banana Pear Smoothie With a Twist (or two).

Where do the twists come in? from the Almond milk (home made) and from the Matcha. Matcha you say?, that's right I told you guys I am really enjoying experimenting with this favorite ingredient of mine. Using almond milk gave the smoothie an additional flavor that ordinary milk would not have. Also almond milk has 90 calories in 1 cup as opposed to full fat milk having 146 calories in 1 cup. The flavors of the pear,banana, almond milk and Matcha came together quite well. It was a delicious thick and velvety creamy drink that left me full for a few hours , which was perfect to quit the hunger pangs hours before dinner time. So here's the recipe and hope you enjoy it too!

Your Ingredients:
1 large green Concorde Pear
1 small banana
pinch of Match green tea
1/2 cup or 118 ml Almond milk
Honey, to taste (optional)

Blender

1. Peel and core pear, then cut into small chunks. Peel and slice the banana. Add both the pear and banana to a blender. Next add the pinch of Matcha and as much honey as you like. Then pour in the almond milk, put the lid on the blender and blend.
2. Blend until the fruit has blended into a smooth thick mixture. If you would like a thinner smoothie feel free to add as much almond milk as you like.

For a cooler version:
Add some ice cubes to the ingredients and then continue to blend.

I am excited to tell you that I will be participating in Natasha's (Five Star Foodie) May smoothie & shakes 5 Star Makeover, check it out!