I really had a hard time finding smoothie recipes when I first got turned onto the idea of a nutritious fruit and veggie on-the-go option.  Let me take that back.  I had a hard time finding good ‘recipes’ with ingredients that I was willing to go with.  There weren’t many with amounts, and some consisted of exotic ingredients that were intimidating and expensive.  Then those with amounts that had normal fruits and veggies just sounded so off together I couldn’t envision actually trying it.  While I still haven’t moved over to using avocados or anything I get the jist of  it now!

I am not a pro, but really once you get started it is simple.  I have a Magic Bullet at the moment (but I’m eyeing a fancy blender), so I don’t really need to measure.  I am going through the motions of measuring ingredients out to provide actual recipes for those a little intimidated by just throwing spinach in a blender.  However, feel free to change it up to make your taste buds happy!

 

 

My base smoothie:

  • 1/2 small frozen banana
  • 1/2 cupish of frozen fruit
  • 3/4 cupish of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • as much spinach as will fit

 

This picture is before the milk & spinach.  With my specific blender cups I fill them to these levels with fruit (larger chunks in my larger cup), and I generally pour in enough milk to just above cover the frozen portion.  Too much & it takes too long for the blender to work it’s magic for my patience.  To little & it’s too thick to drink. 

That’s it.  Voila!

This is what I consider my go-to smoothie.  By all means, leave out the spinach if you’re scared.  You can’t taste it, but it does tend to make them look a little less appetizing.  These smoothies can be as good as ice cream.  I promise.  When you’re ready add in a couple of leaves of spinach.   Then a couple of more the next day.   One day you may reach a cup or so or not.  Baby steps! 

Substitute the frozen fruit for fresh fruit if that is what you have.  I recommend peeling fruits like apples with the blender I have.  Use your common sense with fresh fruit – orange peel can’t possibly taste good.  I’m really big on the frozen banana thing, but I’ll cover that in a minute. 

Substitute the almond milk with coconut water, any other milk or even orange juice.  I have even seen recipes with water, but I’m personally not crazy about using water.   I’m betting you have the ingredients to try one out right now!

As far as the bananas go I highly recommend freezing your bananas as soon as they are to your level of ripeness just for the smoothie goodness that awaits you.  The riper the banana, the stronger the flavor in your smoothie.  Break them up (into thirds if they are larger, halves if they are smaller) & put them in the freezer in a freezer bag. You can use fresh bananas.   It’s not my preference, but if you go that route I would recommend adding in some ice cubes for the smoothie consistency.  Just my 2 cents!

This is a good place to start.  In part 2 we’ll get creative with add in options and toppings.  Talk about fun!  I’ll leave you with today’s finished product.

Strawberry Chocolate Fun

  • 1/2 frozen banana
  • 1/3 cup frozen strawberries
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp ground flax
  • spinach packed into the space left

I stuck it in the freezer for about 30 minutes after the blend to make it spoon worthy.  No cheating!  We’ll talk toppings tomorrow.