5 Superfood Smoothies
Okay so I have to admit I have never been a big smoothie lover - I'm more of a food chewer. Sometimes though a smoothie is just what my body needs, especially after the holidays! It's an easy way to get in lots of fruits and veggies all in one hit. Whenever I eat WAY too much at night and feel bloated the next morning, I'll have a smoothie for breakfast (never skip breakfast, it's the most important meal of the day!). They're also great as a snack or for a light lunch if I am in a rush. These smoothies are quick and full of superfoods, fruits and veggies!
Sweetarts Smoothie
Do you guys remember Sweetarts candy? Well this smoothie reminds me of that candy! It has lots of anti-inflammatory properties and tastes delicious. The tart cherry juice has so many benefits you can read about here, mainly fighting inflammation. Turmeric also fights inflammation and kefir aids in digestion and is full of probiotics (two thumbs up for staying regular)! This is also a great pre-workout smoothie as the tart cherry juice helps reduce soreness post-workout and the banana gives you the energy you need from natural sugars and aids in recovery thanks to the potassium.
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
1/2 cup 100% tart cherry juice (you can buy the juice or use 1 tbs of concentrate)
1 cup plain kefir (I use this brand)
1 1/2 cups packed spinach
1 small frozen banana
1 cup frozen fruit mix (I used peaches, pineapple and strawberries)
1 tbs ground flaxseed
1/4 tsp turmeric
Instructions:
Blend in Vitamix on smoothie setting or other high powered blender. If you don't have a Vitamix you may need to add more liquid to get everything fully combined.
Green Tea Detox Smoothie
Does this taste like a holiday treat? No. Does it detox you from eating too many holiday treats? Yes! This smoothie is all about the healthy stuff. If like me you need to reset after the holidays, this is a great start. If you have never heard of the superfood spirulina, read more about 10 of it's seriously amazing benefits here. If you're like my husband and can't stomach the taste of so much "green", add 1/2 cup of pineapple to sweeten it up. You'll still get all of the benefits of the vitamins and minerals and a huge serving of veggies!
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
1 cup brewed green tea, cooled
1 green apple, skin on
2 stalks celery, diced
1/2 cup diced cucumber, skin on and deseeded
1/4 cup frozen broccoli stems (I always chop these up and freeze them in a ziploc bag whenever I use the broccoli head. Great to throw in any smoothie!)
big handful of spinach
1 tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tbs chia seeds, soaked in 2 tbs water
pinch of cayenne
Optional: 1/2 cup of pineapple
Instructions:
Blend in Vitamix on smoothie setting or other high powered blender.
Maca Almond Cocoa Smoothie
This is probably the least attractive looking smoothie of the bunch. It resembles a swamp (thanks to the marriage of cocoa powder and spinach), but it is a delicious chocolately treat. It satisfies that sweet tooth while providing you with tons of energy, vitamins, flavonoids and healthy fats. If I ever have a craving for something sweet I whip this up to curb my craving!
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (you can use any milk you like)
2 small frozen bananas
big handful of spinach
2 tbs all natural almond butter (you can really sub any nut butter here that you like)
1 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder (I use this brand)
1 tbs ground flaxseed
1 tsp maca powder (find at your local health food store, or buy online here)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
Optional: 2 tbs maple syrup for sweetness
Instructions:
Blend in Vitamix on smoothie setting or other high powered blender.
Tropical Smoothie
This smoothie tastes like the tropics and is full of beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin A and natural electrolytes. It is also the prettiest color!
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
3 large carrots, ends removed and diced
1 cup 100% pure coconut water (I use this brand)
1/2 cup frozen mango
1/2 cup frozen pineapple (or sub 1/2 cup frozen mango)
1/2 a frozen banana
1/4 orange bell pepper, diced
1 inch grated ginger (I freeze my ginger root so it's easy to grate and lasts longer)
1/4 tsp turmeric
Instructions:
First blend carrots with coconut water in the Vitamix. Once blended add remaining ingredients and blend on smoothie setting.
Blueberry Beet Smoothie
This smoothie has the best texture, so velvety and rich! It's full of fiber, folate and Vitamin C from the beets, blueberries and kale and fills you up thanks to the avocado! It has a very earthy flavor, so if earthy isn't your thing just add more of the optional sweeteners.
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
1 cup beet juice (I steamed my beets in a few inches of water and used the liquid from that)
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup cooked beets
1/2 an avocado
1 tbs ground flaxseed
2 kale leaves, stems removed
1 tbs tart cherry juice concentrate (you can buy it here)
Optional Sweeteners: 2 dates, 2 prunes, half a banana or 2 tbs honey
Instructions:
Blend everything in Vitamix on smoothie setting.
Let me know if you try any of the smoothies, and which was your favorite! Here's to a healthy 2017!
Best,
Stacey