Smoothies are not only wonderfully delicious, they’re nutritious and easy to make. With so many tasty, healthy ingredients that can be used, the options are nearly endless if you want to have fun coming up with your own creations.
A healthy smoothie requires just a few standard ingredients used as building blocks, while your own tastes and preferences determine exactly which to use. To get started, here is a basic list of ingredients – pick and choose one or more to come up with your own creation:
Liquid
- Organic dairy milk
- Almond milk
- Rice milk
- Coconut milk
- Green tea
- Brewed and chilled Chai tea
Protein (this is optional but always a good idea to boost fat burning and keep you feeling fuller longer)
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Hemp protein powder
- Spirulina powder
- Whey protein powder
Organic Fruits or vegetables
Using frozen fruits or vegetables, you’ll need little if any ice, making it much easier and a little faster to create your smoothie. Bananas serve to thicken and result in a creamier smoothie.
- Peaches
- Mango
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Pineapple
- Melons
- Spinach (you won’t even know it’s there but it adds a great nutrition boost)
- Avocado
Optional additions
- Flax seed or oil
- Hemp seed or oil
- Chis seed
- Raw, organic honey
- Cinnamon, ginger and/or nutmeg
4 Great Smoothie Recipes to Try
Use all organic ingredients. If recipe calls for juices, it is best to squeeze or juice the fruit yourself, as opposed to buying processed juices.
Summer Berry Delight
- 1 cup cold unsweetened almond
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup frozen blackberries
- ½ cup frozen raspberries
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- 2 t. avocado
- 1 t. raw, organic honey
Ultra Creamy Mango
- ¾ cup cold unsweetened almond
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¾ t. pure vanilla extract
- 1 t. raw, organic honey
- 1 ½ cups frozen mango chunks
Super Winter Antioxidant Boost
- ¼ cup carrot juice
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup finely chopped kale
- 4 small frozen broccoli florets, sliced
- 1 medium-sized banana, sliced
- 1 cored, chopped apple
- Ice as needed for desired consistency
Sunrise Smoothie
- 2 ½ cups frozen berries (a combination of one or more: raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries)
- 1 banana, sliced
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 T. lime juice
For all of the recipes, add your liquid first in order to make the blending process run smoothly. Add remaining ingredients, place the lid on your blender and mix on medium speed. Blend the ingredients until they’ve been liquefied for approximately 10 seconds. Enjoy!
What’s your favorite smoothie recipe?
– The Alternative Daily
