Since we have been on lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic, I have been experimenting quite a bit in the kitchen to help pass the time. Although I will admit that some of my creations haven't been the healthiest, I have made some new concoctions that are jam-packed with lots of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and they happen to be smoothies! Heading to Jamba Juice or other mainstream smoothie places can be a real doozy on weight loss and wellness goals, despite the fact that they have a healthy reputation. Most commercial smoothies have upwards of 75 grams of sugar per serving, and even though some of the that sugar comes from fruit, it's condensed in a way that our bodies will still recognize the fructose (sugar from fruit) the same way as they recognize table sugar. Below you will find five of my favorite smoothie recipes that are simple to make, packed with goodness, and much cheaper than a trip to a smoothie store.
Berry Avocado
Wait, avocado in a smoothie? Yes! Avocado gives smoothies an amazingly creamy texture and no, your smoothie will not be green as the color of the berries will overpower. If you're dairy-free, simply use almond milk instead of the Kefir.
Ingredients:
1/2 avocado
1/2 banana
Handful of your favorite berries
1/3 cup Kefir (this is basically liquid Greek yogurt with probiotics)
1 tablespoon flaxseeds
Ice
Drizzle of agave or honey (optional)
Directions:
Simply blend all ingredients together in a food processor or blender.
Peanut Butter and Chocolate
Peanut butter and chocolate is such a classic combination and now you can have it in smoothie form with a fraction of the sugar found in ice cream. The added hemp seeds are packed with healthy fats and protein, and make a tasty nutty contribution to the peanut butter. Once again, if you're dairy-free, replace the Kefir with almond milk.
Ingredients:
1/2 banana
1/3 cup Kefir
1 tablespoon hemp seeds
1 tablespoon peanut butter
2 squares dark chocolate
Ice
Drizzle of honey or agave (optional)
Directions:
Simply blend all ingredients together in a food processor or blender.
Simple Green Juice
This isn't a smoothie, per say, however knowing how to make your own green juice at home is very beneficial since those trendy juice places can be so expensive! The only special piece of equipment you'll need is a nut milk bag for straining the pulp--they are only about a dollar each, and they're reusable. The follow amounts of ingredients make four servings and this juice stores well in the refrigerator. If you like the sweeter things in life, just add one apple!
Ingredients:
1 cup parsley
1 cup chopped celery
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 inch fresh ginger, peeled
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Directions:
Simply blend all ingredients together in a food processor or blender and strain, using a nut milk bag.
Dairy-Free Strawberry Coconut Smoothie
This one will take you to the tropics! Dairy-free coconut milk is all the rage for those who don't tolerate lactose--its decadent taste and texture will not disappoint.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup coconut milk
4 Strawberries
1 tablespoon Chia seeds
Ice
Drizzle of honey or agave (optional)
Dairy- Free Vanilla Almond Smoothie
Vanilla extract is one of those not-so-obvious smoothie ingredients but it's virtually calorie- and sugar-free, while adding excellent vanilla flavor. If you don't have almond butter on hand, peanut butter will do!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 banana
2 tablespoons almond butter
1 tablespoon Chia seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ice
Drizzle of honey or agave (optional)
The five smoothies found above won't break the bank...or the waist line! Another helpful tip is that if you have a little left over, have some popsicle molds ready to pour the excess into, to freeze. If you have kids around and they want an ice cream or popsicle treat, smoothie freezer pops do the trick and give them a nice nutrition-packed snack. If you're someone who is too busy to experiment with your own smoothies, check out our low-carb and low-sugar pre-made shakes here!
