Smoothies!

I got one of those new blenders that you blend and take the cup to go. I now just need some great smoothie ideas or other recipes that require a blender. Any healthy suggestions?

Replies

Kennkaru

I love smoothies- especially for breakfast- and it's an excellent opportunity to "hide things" you normally wouldn't want to eat for breakfast or can't find time to eat.

For instance, I love a good salad, but I don't always have time to eat one for breakfast. We grow eight varieties of lettuce so I have plenty of spring greens on hand. I like to blend a few leaves into my breakfast smoothie (along with some celery). The flavors are complimentary when it comes to fruit and/or yogurt smoothies.

My go-to breakfast smoothie is:

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
1 cup skim milk
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 banana
A handful of spring greens
A couple inches of celery, chopped (this adds a creamy thickness to the smoothie as well)
2 tbsp of strawberry sugar free jello powder

It's a balanced meal and loaded with flavor.

tamraj

I have had a smoothie for my breakfast nearly every morning for the last four years. I change it up from time to time but have my old favorites. In the last couple of years I have been making green smoothies. Usually the recipes you find online make LOTS of green smoothie- this is modified and still makes almost too much now that I have gotten used to smaller portions. I usually drink the whole thing as it is breakfast and about 300 calories, 12 g protein and 20 g fiber (give or take). You can pump up protein if you want by adding Greek Yogurt, protein powder, Just Whites pasteurized eggs, nuts and seeds, etc- all things I have done but have settled on this as a good compromise between calories and nutrition for my needs.
Here is the one that I have been making for the last two years (at least the latest tweaking of it). I got a Vita-Mix for Christmas this past year and it blends it all up so smooth, but until that point I used a regular $40 blender- it was a bit more textured but I didn’t mind.

1 cup light vanilla soy milk, or skim milk
1 T chia seeds
1 T whole flaxseeds
1 T psyllium seed
1 tsp ground cinnamon (unless I plan to have it in my yogurt later)
A good sprinkle of turmeric
Greens- my favorites are 1 c lightly steamed kale or a couple of good handfuls of raw spinach, but I have used Swiss chard, beet or turnip greens, collards, romaine, dandelion greens, mizuna, even mustard if it’s mild enough. I’ll try anything in there.
½ cup blueberries, or ½ apple
Sweetener to taste (these days it is stevia), and sometimes vanilla other flavors, and like Kennkaru I use sugar-free jello powder for flavor.
A few ice cubes if not using frozen fruit. Depending on how heavy-handed I am with ingredients, I may need to add a bit of water to thin it down.

Here are a couple of links to get you started but there are countless recipes on the internet. Just be careful as the calories and sugars can rack up real quick. Enjoy!

http://greensmoothiegirl.com/

http://www.incrediblesmoothies.com/

Ambiance247

I actually purchased a personal blender a little over two weeks ago. I just played around with some ingredients. This is one I came up with:

1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (I use Body Fortress)
1/2 cup of Wymann's frozen mixed berries
1 cup of almond milk (I use Almond Breeze Unsweetened)
1 pack of no calorie sweetner
3 - 5 ice cubes

Add 1/2 cup of almond milk, protein powder, mixed berries, ice and sweetner. Pulse until mixed thoroughly. Add the other 1/2 cup of almond milk and pulse until blended well. This is a very simple recipe and it runs about 220 calories. Very filling.

s0ready

100 grams of strawberries, 60 grams of spinach, 1/2 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt= nice green smoothies (cannot taste spinach!)

1-2 tbsp peanut butter, scoop chocolate protein powder, 1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt, banana(optional) add spinach to boost nutritents =peanut butter cup

mrsejennings

If you have a vanilla protein powder - Add 1/2 cup milk - 1/2 cup OJ. Tastes great.

nmjellison

bump : )

ltlemermaid

I like to mix mine up but here is my basic recipe:

1/2 banana sliced
2-3 frozen whole strawberries
6oz chobani vanilla yogurt
1-2oz pineapple juice

I like to sub in frozen mangos, other berries fpr the strawberry and use flavored chobani yogurts, berry juice is also yummy to use

Sandyk5460

I have frozen blueberries and strawberries on hand plus coconut/almond milk (has more calcium, less fat than soy or regular milk; one serving = 1 cup= 60 calories; 3 gm fat; 7 gm carbs; 1 gm each fiber and protein plus lots of other vitamins and 40% calcium). When I fix the blueberry smoothie, I had a bit of lemon juice since blueberries and lemon go great together. With the strawberry, I just keep it simple. Blend the strawberries then add the coconut/almond milk to get desired consistency. The great thing about using frozen fruit- you do not have to water down the smoothie with ice (water).

MikMont

Pinterest is great for smoothie recipes!

My two quick favorites are:

4 ounces vanilla greek yogurt
1 sliced frozen banana
1 cup almond milk
1 scoop almond butter
fill to the top with baby greens

1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
1 scoop almond butter
2 bananas
2 cups ice
1/2 cup yogurt (I always use greek, but I am sure any would taste fine)

callmejessica

Ah thank you for all the recipes! I can't wait to try them.

minimaggie

Base ingredients:
-1/2 Cup Cottage Cheese
-1 Scoop Protein Powder
-1-3 Packets of Splenda/ Stevia/Low Calorie Sweetener <--- I didn't use any though
-5-10 Ice Cubes
-1/2 Cup-1 Cup Water
*Optional* 1/2 tsp Xanthax gum (you can get this from most grocery stores in the gluten free section! Just a pinch of it makes your shake sooo thick and creamy!)

Then choose from these!

Peanut Butter Butterscotch Shake (These ingredients added to base)

2 Tbs Sugar Free Butterscotch Pudding Mix (Jello Brand)
2 Tbs Peanut Flour OR 1 Tbs Regular Peanut Butter
Optional: A few drops Maple Extract
Servings: 1
Calories: 310 ( add 40 if using regular peanut butter)

Thin Mint Shake (These ingredients added to base)

2 Tbs Cocoa Powder
2-3 Drops of Mint Extract (Be Careful to Only Add A Few Drops… This Stuff Is Strong!!!)
Optional: 1 Tbs Lite Hershey’s Syrup
Servings:1
Calories: 250

Superman-Ice Cream Shake (These ingredients added to base)

2-3 Tbs Sugar free/Fat free Pistachio Pudding Mix (Jello Brand)
Optional: 2 Tbs Cool Whip Lite
Servings:1
Calories: 250

Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake (These ingredients added to base)

2 Tbs Cocoa Powder
2 Tbs Peanut Flour Or 1 Tbs Regular Peanut Butter
Servings: 1
Calories: 260 (add 40 calories if using regular peanut butter)

Strawberry Banana Shake (These ingredients added to base)

1/2 Cup Frozen Strawberries
1/2 Banana
Optional: 2 Tbs Cool Whip Lite
Servings: 1
Calories: 280

Mocha Freeze Shake (These ingredients added to base)

2 Tbs Cocoa Powder
1 Tsp Instant Coffee Powder (or to taste)
1 Tbs Coffee Creamer of Choice
(You may also need additional sweetener packets in this shake to balance out the bitterness of the coffee)
Servings: 1
Calories: 200

Lemon Cream Pie (These ingredients added to base)

2-3 Tbs Sugar Free Lemon Pudding Mix
Optional: 1 Graham Cracker (or Honey Teddy Grahams) on Top of Shake (You could add this straight to the blender~ it blends up tasting like a ‘pie crust!’)
Servings: 1
Calories: 290

Strawberry Shake (These ingredients added to base)

1/2 Cup Strawberries (Fresh or Frozen~ If you are using frozen use less ice!)
Servings: 1
Calories: 220

Banana Cream Pie Shake (These ingredients added to base)

1/2 Frozen Banana
2 Tbs Sugar Free Banana Pudding
Optional: 1 Graham Cracker (or Honey Teddy Grahams) on Top of Shake!
Servings: 1
Calories: 250

Oatmeal Cookie Shake (These ingredients added to base)

2 Tbs Oats
2 Tsp Chocolate Chips
Dash of Cinnamon (Or To Taste)
Optional: 2 Tbs Vanilla or Chocolate Sugar Free Pudding Mix
Servings: 1
Calories: 250

Key Lime Pie Shake (These ingredients added to base)

1 Tbs Key Lime Juice (Or The Juice of Half a Lime)
2 Tbs Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding Mix
Optional: 1 Graham Cracker (or Honey Teddy Grahams) Crumbled on Top of Shake (Or Mixed In!)
Servings: 1
Calories: 230

Cookies and Cream Shake (These ingredients added to base)

1/2 (100 Calorie) Oreo Pack (Throw the Cookies Right Into the Blender!)
Optional: 2 Tbs Light Cool Whip OR 2 Tbs Sugar Free Vanilla Pudding Mix
Servings: 1
Calories: 230

Pina Colada Shake (These ingredients added to base)

1 Tbs Coconut Extract (Found In The Baking Isle by the Spices)
1/2 Cup Pineapple (Fresh or Frozen)
Servings: 1
Calories: 220

Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Shake (These ingredients added to base)

1/2 Cup Strawberries (Fresh or Frozen)
2 Tbs Light Cream Cheese (Or 2 Tbs Sugar Free Cheesecake Pudding Mix)
Servings: 1
Calories: 260

Lemon Raspberry Shake (These ingredients added to base)

1/3 Cup Raspberries (Fresh or Frozen) OR 2 Tbs Low Sugar Raspberry Jam (If You Don’t Like The Seeds!)
1 Tsp Lemon Juice OR 2 Tbs Sugar Free Lemon Pudding Mix
Optional: 1 Tsp Sugar Free Dry Raspberry Jello Mix
Servings: 1
Calories: 210

And all you do is blend!

jazz_dance

I make a really simple smoothie

1 banana
Natural Yoghurt - 3 spoons
frozen fruit - any variety
milk
Juice - any variety

Blend away

sportyredhead01

bump!

littlewitch1973

My all time favorite smoothie recipe (even the kiddos love it!!)

2 scoops chocolate protein powder (I use Unjury)
5 ice cubes
1 cup ice
1-2 tbsp peanut butter

Mixx and YUM!!!

Other variations:

Use a banana in place of peanut butter
Use strawberry greek yogurt (or any flavor, really) in place of PB
Use vanilla protein powder, and add in pineapple, strawberries, watermelon, etc...

Davinci and Torani make syrups you can add as well (I get sugar free, less calories) that you can use to make terrific other flavors... I add those in my coffee most days!!

mogriff1

I make a smoothie every morning for breakfast! I love to have one after my daily workouts. I do a variation each time I make one, but these are the ingredients I use in my smoothies. (I mix and match depending on what I'm in the mood for):

Plain greek yogurt (always)
Almond milk (always)
Ground flax seeds, 2tbsp (always)
Strawberries
Bananas
Blueberries
Kiwi
Oranges
Watermelon
Applesauce
Fruitein veggie/fruit/protein shake
Oatmeal (uncooked)
Pumpkin butter
Peanut butter (PB2)
Fudge
Naked drinks
Wheatgrass juice
Aloe Vera Juice

Mommy_Time

i have never had a smoothie but want to start to try the really healthy ones!

yspen42

I have one as well and I LOVE it! I make smoothies for breakfast every morning. I put various fruits in mine and I add flaxseed, fiber, and whey protein as well.

I add yogurt and I have even put spinach in mine one day! I add juices as well!

You are going to enjoy your blender!

Drawberry

I keep my smoothies very simple to be honest. So this wouldn't be particularly fancy!

About half a banana, around half a dozen strawberries, several ice cubes, a large spoonful of low-fat vanilla yogurt...all blended together. I am thinking of trying it with a bit of apple juice to thin it out.

coppers2002

BUMP

Thanks guys!

callmejessica

I kinda threw in some stuff this morning to try out my new little blender. I don't know the measurements, but I used spinach, carrot, strawberries, banana, raspberries, blackberries, mango juice, and a small scoop of orange sherbet.

MySweetPotato

moderate carb/protein :

vanilla-banana-chocolate protein smoothie

- 1 pack swiss miss no sugar added hot chocolate mix (or any other hot chocolate mix)
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 0.5 banana
-1/2 cup skim milk

nutrition facts : 273 calories, 36g carbs, 26g protein

lower carb, higher protein:

avocado protein pudding

50g avocado, ripe
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
100g cottage cheese (i use regular)

nutrition facts: 300 calories, 18 carbs, 30g protein

really low carb, crapload of protein:

1.5 scoop low carb vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1tbsp cadbury cocoa powder

nutrition facts: 270 calories, 13g carbs, 46g protein.

add ice to these if you want to

I usually either have them after a hard workout or as a complete meal. Enjoy!

btretiak

4-5 oz. carrots
1 med apple
1 banana
your choice spinach, kale, or broccoli (aprox. 1 bunch)
4 oz. yogurt (i love greek yogurt, but any lowfat yogurt is just ducky)
2 tbsp peanut butter (optional, but great for some extra calories, protein, and nummy fats)
1 1/2 cups filtered water
1-2 tbsp psyllium husk (optional, but fiber is your friend)

I add a full scoop of vanilla or chocolate mint protein powder to this and I'm good to go

Enjoy!

fatcatjack

Pinterest is great for smoothie recipes!

My two quick favorites are:

4 ounces vanilla greek yogurt
1 sliced frozen banana
1 cup almond milk
1 scoop almond butter
fill to the top with baby greens

1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
1 scoop almond butter
2 bananas
2 cups ice
1/2 cup yogurt (I always use greek, but I am sure any would taste fine)

My husband actually tried this oatmeal shake and it was a disaster b/c 2 cups of ice there was no liquid in it. What did we do wrong????

babynew

Bump :flowerforyou:
New ideas are always fun. ..

Larry0445

Bump!!

herownkindofwonderfull

1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 tblspoon all natural peanut butter
8 oz milk (I juggle between almond milk, soy, and nonfat milk)
1/2 banana

... this is also good with 1/2 scoop of chocolate protein powder AND 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder.

SO DELICIOUS.

jeniley65

Love these! My blender is my 2nd or 3rd favorite appliance!

vahine03

Bump. Love them smoothies

rehtaeh78

Bump

TracyGA

I have been playing around with smoothies off and on for several months now. It is such a great way to pack in more fruits or veggies than you would normally be able to eat at one time, but to drink them all in a juice or a smoothie is much easier!

I just found this recipe for a creamsicle smoothie that I am so excited to try after my zumba class tonight. I already have the fruits in the freezer!

1 large ripe banana, peeled, sliced, and frozen
1/2 small avocado, chopped and frozen
3 Clementines, peeled, broken into segments and frozen
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup almond milk
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 Medjool date, pitted and roughly chopped
juice from half a small lemon