{post originally featured on MamaHensKitchen.com} Happy National Chocolate Mint Day!  I think all these fun national (and international) food celebratory days are just great.  They’re a little silly and no one besides food bloggers really know about them, but the way I see it is that it gets my brain going when I’m trying to figure out what to bake for the weekend.  Chocolate Mint is a combination that has been one of my favorites since I was a kiddo.  Chocolate Mint ice cream (only the green kind though… none of the white pretend mint).  Chocolate Mint brownies.  Minty Oreos.  Any and all of it please.

As for the baking plans this weekend, I already had a couple of things in mind, but as I was getting ready to head to the gym yesterday for Zumba, I was thinking of what I could make as a recovery drink or bar for afterwards.  And knowing that February 19th is Chocolate Mint day, it didn’t take me too long to find exactly what I was looking for.  I knew this needed to somewhat healthy.  I also knew I had a lot of spinach to use up. {Now just wait a minute!  I know you’re about to leave because you think I’m crazy for even thinking about incorporating spinach into my chocolate mint creation.  Don’t you worry little ones – you can’t even taste the spinach!}

Moving right along – so I headed over to this fantastic blog I’ve been hooked on lately, Oh She Glows!, where healthy and yummy vegan recipes are showcased, as well as inspirational and motivational health-conscious stories.  Just reading this blog has made me want to be healthier.  She has a plethora of green monster drinks, homemade energy bars, plus lots more!  I remembered seeing a peppermint patty green monster recipe on her site and just knew that’s what I would be trying out.  Seriously – YUM!  I didn’t feel like I was drinking a healthy-drink.  I felt like I was indulging in a dessert!  This is mostly minty with just a hint of chocolate, which in my opinion, is perfect!

And with St. Patrick’s Day coming up, this is a double whammy.  Either make it today for Chocolate Mint Day.  Or make it next month for St Patty’s!  Or you know, you could make it any other day as well.

Chocolate Mint Green Monster Drink
adapted from Oh She Glows!

Ingredients
1 to 1.5 frozen banana
1 to 1.25 cups of milk (I used almond milk – you pick your fav)
handful of fresh mint leaves, stems removed
1-2 handfuls fresh spinach
1/4 teaspoon mint or peppermint extract
1/2 to 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)
1-2 Tablespoons dark chocolate, chopped or 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder

Combine all ingredients, except chocolate, in a blender.  Blend until all combined.  Garnish with chocolate.

Enjoy!