Smoothies!

ruthmfrey

Im a smoothie newbie, and whenever I try to make them myself they turn out awful! So please share with me your favorite - and simple - smoothie recipes. Thanks!

jhloves2knit

I make an afternoon "pick me up" of ice, leftover coffee, a scoop of chocolate protein powder, half a mashed banana, and Truvia (or other sweetener) to taste. I put it in the blender until it's smooth. It's healthy and gives me energy.

I've seen a lot of smoothie recipes in threads. Just search for "smoothie" and you'll see them.

iKapuniai

Here's my favorite:

1 can of V8 Fusion Blueberry Pomegranate energy drink (50 cals)
1/3c frozen blueberries
1/2 frozen banana
1/3c frozen raspberries
1c spinach
1-3 TB hemp seeds
.5c Fage greek yogurt

This exact recipe usually turns out to be about 400 calories. Sometimes I'd rather not have so many calories in a smoothie, so I'll get rid of the greek yogurt, and cut the hemp seeds down to 1TB, which brings the calorie count down to about 225, of course that cuts out practically all of the protein as well.

Smoothies are pretty hard to mess up.

For the perfect (and nutrient dense) smoothies, you'll need...
1. A liquid.
Water, tea, kefir/drinkable yogurt or juice [I use organic 100% juice - preferably one with fruits and veggies in it.)

2. Fresh/frozen fruit
This is where you really get to play around with flavors. I buy fresh seasonal fruit while they're cheap, chop it up and freeze them in individually gallon size bags. My frozen fruit staples are blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and bananas. I also have mango, pineapple, papaya and avocado, though sometimes those are harder to freeze.

3. Fresh vegetables - Optional.
This is how I get my extra greens in my diet. I usually go for fresh spinach and/or kale. Spinach is mild in flavor, so it won't be quite as noticeable as kale. I also use avocado, carrots, tomatoes, squash, etc. You really have to experiment with these as well, some veggies are very strong and can really overpower everything else. But still, great way to get extra veggies in, especially if you don't necessary like to 'eat' them... like me. lol

4. Protein
I use hemp seeds, which are very high in calories, but uber healthy.
I also use Fage greek yogurt... must be fage. I love fage. <3<3 lol Any greek yogurt would work though, obviously.
I've also used silken tofu, which is okay but not my favorite.
Of course, there's always the protein powder. I prefer to drink my protein powders solo though, but to each their own.
And if you're a hardcore body builder not afraid of possibly contracting salmonella or other nasties, there's always raw eggs lol Buuutttt I prefer my eggs over easy on toast.

5. Herbs/Spices/Seeds - Optional.
If you're into health, super-fruits, interior-healing herbs and all that good stuff, there's also a lot of spices and herbs you could add to your smoothies. Couple of my favorites in this category are cinnamon, ginger, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and walnuts. Not necessarily together lol Depending on the flavors I decide to go with. Mint is a good one. I've heard of people using basil and other odd sounding things, but whatever floats your boat.

Anyhow, do your research, there's all kinds of crazy fruit/veggie/spice combinations when it comes to smoothies. Possibilities are literally endless.

But please... whatever you do... don't juice. It's such a waste of the pulp, which is basically where all the nutrients are. While juicing is great, being able to eat the entire fruit, insides and out, while taking advantage of the health benefits that the fruit/veggie in its entirety has to offer, is much better.

Good luck!

iKapuniai

Here's a great website that has TONS of smoothie recipes, and you can choose to look for recipes that include a certain fruit/flavor:

http://www.incrediblesmoothies.com/green-smoothie-recipes/

I LOVE SMOOTHIES!!

ruthmfrey

wow! thanks for the great info guys! I will be trying out these recipes shortly

Jilleelicious

The secret for me is to keep it thin! We are talking green smoothies, right? I get some awesome chai green tea in the bulk section of the grocery store, brew it in my coffee pot and a pot is a weeks worth. I pour in about a cup or so add a couple leaves, a banana, I eat raw farm eggs(so good for your hair), smoothie shakedown protein powder and some frozen fruit. You can always top it off with real coco or cinnamon. Spices are so healthy!!!

k2charmed4u

Yikes shouldn't have asked this I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE smoothies. My absolute fav is the most simple one Banana.

1. Banana Smoothie - 1 Banana, 1tbsp of honey, cinnamon/nutmeg and Milk.
2. Banana & Strawberry - 1 Banana, 5 strawberries and milk.
3. Banana & Mango - 1 Banana, 1/2 mango, honey and milk.
4. Banana & papaya - 1 Banana, 1/2 papaya, honey and milk.
5. Banana & Blueberries - 1 Banana, a handful of blueberries, honey and milk.
6. Banana & Apple - 1 Banana & 1 apple, cinnamon and milk.

As you can see I love bananas and I love honey lol :laugh:

Mini_horse_lover

I personally just have 2 or 3 (sometimes more, depends how hungry i am) scoops vanilla protein powder, 200ml unsweetened almond milk with either half a banana and a few strawberries or both.

crystalhorodyski

Yeah, every morning this week I've been having this smoothie:
1 frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup vanilla almond milk
1 big leaf of kale
lots of cinnamon!

YUM!

teelynn35

my fave is 2 handfuls of spinach or baby kale, 1 cup of any frozen fruit, 1 cup vanilla milk and 1 scoop vanilla whey protein. YUMMY!! Not too mention a very pretty green color

CTONDO

Here is my favorite. I have it every morning after my workout. It is so yummy.

1 packet of stevia
1/2 C. Almond Milk - Original - Unsweetened
1 tbsp. ground flaxseed
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 banana mashed
1 scoop Vanilla protein powder (optional)

CTONDO

I make a similar one but without the kale. I have yet to try kale. Can you taste it your smoothy?

Marrowshard

Kale definitely has a flavor ... I make a lunch smoothie that's:

1/2 cup coconut water
1 cup almond milk
1/2 cup raspberries
2 cups loose kale
4 oz. Greek yogurt

Tasty, but the kale tends to be strong. Use baby kale if you can, otherwise prepare for a slightly bitter tone. Using a sweetener can help cut that but for me it adds too many calories and I don't use artificial sweeteners.

TheGymGypsy

This one of my favorites. It's low in calories, high in protein, and tastes like dessert!

1 cup plain Greek Yogurt
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup frozen dark cherries
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract

225 calories and 25g protein!

BringingSherriBack

1 can of diet Sunkist soda
1 scoop of Vanilla protein powder
lots of ice

Put ice in blender, put in protein powder, pour entire can of soda over the ice and powder and blend until smooth. You can make it as thin or as thick as you like depending on how much ice you use. I like mine thick like a milkshake.

Tastes like a dreamsicle.

lqmustang

My current favorite tastes like a wendys frosty

1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 banana
1.5 tablespoons hershey's cocoa
1 tsp agave sweetener
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
as much ice as your blender can handle to make it thick

totals right around 300 calories

paleojoe

Love smoothies... here is my go to site...

http://www.youtube.com/user/GreenRegimen?feature=watch

This morning I made a smoothie of...
2 cups almond milk
1 banana
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 pear
1.5 cup spinach
2 raw eggs
2 tbsp peanut butter

lorrierobertson

If your looking for low calories-

1 cucumber peeled
2 handfuls of berries (your choice.. raspberries, blackberries..etc)
1 handful of spinach

the cucumber should have enough juice in it but you could also add some orange juice, cordial or other fruit juice.. reeeally refreshing, healthy and around 60calories!!

favourite breakfast smoothie:

1 banana
2 handfuls of any berries
150g low fat greek yoghurt
1 cup orange juice
30g oats (optional)

FarTooJones

I keep mine pretty basic, frozen fruit, cup of almond milk and a scoop and meal replacement shake. I made one this morning using orange juice instead of frozen fruit, and it was really good, almost like drinking an orange julius.

ayamagali

I usually do half and half with soy milk and water, some kind of fruit, cocoa powder because I'm a chocolate fiend, some type of leafy greens (even my salad mix), and rolled oats. And stevia to taste. But, here's a delightful combo for when I want to diverge from chocolate. Tastes like cookies.

1 banana
1/4 cup rolled oats
1 cup milk of choice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
a dash of ground cardamom
1 tbsp raisins (I usually soak em in the milk overnight so they blend better)

Another fun idea to change things up is adding fresh basil or mint. I like both with peaches.

evanblove

1 small banana, 3/4 cup frozen fruit, 1/2 cup different frozen fruit, 1/2 cup greek (or other) yogurt
I put this together in my blender cup at night and blend in the morning. If blending while fruit is still frozen, you will need a liquid

I started doing green smoothies recently:
3/4 cup frozen fruit, 1 cup baby spinach, 1/2 cup coconut water, 1 banana

try http://simplegreensmoothies.com/ for other ideas

maasha81

My go to smoothie:

Frozen fruit - berries or peach / pine / strawberry. Combo
Cucumber / celery stick
Green apple
baby spinach / kale or any spinach variety
Water

Sometimes I add a piece of ginger for an extra kick.

francacosta750

my smoothie is frozen mixed berries, banana, yogurt, apple, carrot, sometimes cranberry and water

chelseascounter

8 oz almond/coconut milk as base
1 frozen banana
1 tbs raw cacao
1/2 avocado


blend, yum.

8 oz coconut water/ or almond coconut milk
1 frozen banana
1-2 cups of baby spinach
1 tbs lemon (i don't add if I making it with almond/coconut milk)
couple of fresh mint leaves

those are my go to smoothies

healthykae

Check out Greensmoothiegirl.com
You'll thank me later.

P.S. If you're local and want to make one together, I would be happy to show you how I do it

paleojoe

My go to smoothie:

Frozen fruit - berries or peach / pine / strawberry. Combo
Cucumber / celery stick
Green apple
baby spinach / kale or any spinach variety
Water

Sometimes I add a piece of ginger for an extra kick.

Ginger is fantastic in green smoothies...

PurpleButterflyDiva

Yikes shouldn't have asked this I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE smoothies. My absolute fav is the most simple one Banana.

1. Banana Smoothie - 1 Banana, 1tbsp of honey, cinnamon/nutmeg and Milk.
2. Banana & Strawberry - 1 Banana, 5 strawberries and milk.
3. Banana & Mango - 1 Banana, 1/2 mango, honey and milk.
4. Banana & papaya - 1 Banana, 1/2 papaya, honey and milk.
5. Banana & Blueberries - 1 Banana, a handful of blueberries, honey and milk.
6. Banana & Apple - 1 Banana & 1 apple, cinnamon and milk.

As you can see I love bananas and I love honey lol :laugh:

PurpleButterflyDiva

My go to smoothie:

Frozen fruit - berries or peach / pine / strawberry. Combo
Cucumber / celery stick
Green apple
baby spinach / kale or any spinach variety
Water

Sometimes I add a piece of ginger for an extra kick.

Ginger is fantastic in green smoothies...

ruthmfrey

update - just went to costco and got a ton of smoothie supplies! woohoo. I'll let y'all know how they turn out

cajuntank

My go to smoothie every morning:

Spinach
Flax seeds
Lemon flavored fish oil (gives it a little lemony zing)
Berry flavored whey protein powder
Blueberries (frozen)
Raspberries (frozen)
Cold water (or if want a little more creamy, add some Greek yogurt)

Sammie_175

Does drinking these smoothies really help you loose weight. I have heard positive and negative things. So injuztvwas wondering...