I love a good smoothie. Not only does it taste good, but there isn’t a more efficient way to pack in the nutrients, vitamins, minerals and super foods into your system.
It’s one of those things that sometimes looks easier that it is and you are having a hard time mixing into magic at home. You know what I’m talking about—too green, too icy, too sweet, too chunky, too thick. No one wants to drink salad—but something’s not quite right. So, after 10 years married to my beloved blender … blending, creating and combining, here are my 6 essentials for making the creamiest, tastiest and healthiest concoctions … EVER.
- 1. Use the freshest ingredients possible. Fresh fruits and vegetables will always taste better than older ones. You can tell when sushi isn’t at it’s best. Same with smoothies. Using fresher ingredients also maximizes your smoothie’s nutrient-rich potential. When fresh fruits and veggies are consumed significantly later than their harvest, they lose quality and nutrients. Try to buy locally grown produce when possible and use fruits within two to three days of purchasing and vegetables within four to five days.
- 2. Use a restaurant-grade blender. Unfortunately, the hand-me-down blender from college doesn’t cut it any more. I mean you really don’t want to be chewing your green smoothie. A high performance, multi-speed blender will guarantee a well-blended beverage and allows you to use hardier, more delicious, ingredients like my all time faves—coconut oil and almond butter. Thick, well-blended smoothies should taste more like milkshakes, after all. Vitamix and Blendtec are my weapons of choice.
- 3. Experiment with different types of combos. Some of my favourite recipes are the most unusual of combinations. That’s the fun of it and then there’s the beauty. An ever-evolving list of ingredients, which is suspicious at first, but turns out to be oh-so good. Blends with a mix of greens with hemp or nut milk, organic almond butter or avocado, raw cacao powder and coconut Oil. The result? A creamy, slightly sweet and nutrient dense smoothie. No guilt here. EVER.
- 4. Liquids First. Pour water, hemp or nut milk or coconut water as your base to cover the blades. Fill the middle of the base with desired fruits, veggies and superfood powders then top off with ice and more liquid.
- 5. Use one cup of dark leafy greens in every smoothie. You know by now that I am the kale queen so the more dark leafy greens the better. It’s hard to pinpoint how many greens to add before getting a hard to drink, mud-like concoction. To ensure you are getting all the goodness from these God-like Leafs, add one cup of greens for each 20 oz. beverages.
- 6. Choose your superfoods for nutrition and taste. I have entire shelf in my fridge dedicated to superfood superpowers, some exotic, all of which boast potential health benefits. Maca root regulates hormones and boosts the libido. I can tell you it gives me expresso-like intensity and adds real creaminess, Hemp Seeds are the highest and most perfect plant protein and also add a slightly nutty consistency; Goji berries provide ultra high boosts of antioxidants; Camu camu has more Vitamin C than any other food out there; Raw cacao powder is loaded in iron, fiber and antioxidants and the healthy way to add chocolate into your diet; Acai powder is also huge in the antioxidant department, Chia seeds are packed with Omegas and protein, protects the heart and keeps you full. These superfoods also add taste and texture to your drinks. Play around with Bee Pollen, nature’s most perfect superfood, for even more energy and Spirulina for extra protein and boosted chlorophyll.
- 7. Add your healthy fat to keep you metabolism reved up and create depth and taste. Choose from raw peanut, almond butter or tahini, avocado or a tablespoon of coconut oil.
- 8. Spice it up. Cinnamon, keeps blood sugars stable while Cayenne kick starts your metabolism. Turmeric is always the best anti-inflammatory.
I have so many insanely easy, nutrient dense smoothies waiting for you to experiment. Check them all out here. But with this guide, soon you will be whipping your own crazy healthy concoctions and telling me about them. What’s your favorite? Share with us here.