Smoothies 101

There are all kinds of smoothies. From this:

To this:

I like the ones that fall somewhere in the middle of these two examples. Personally, the thought of drinking a green smoothie grosses me out. It reminds me of the “soup” we kids used to make. We’d put grass clippings in water and feed it to our dolls. Yuck.

But, if you’re not careful, you can end up with a day’s worth of empty calories in one smoothie. It might taste yummy, but it can seriously affect your weight and health. So, I do try to sneak some greens into mine, I just balance it out with fruit for color and flavor.

There’s a basic equation for making a good smoothie:

Liquid + Fruits/Veggies + Healthy Fat + Thickener = A Good Smoothie

Once you have that basic equation down, the smoothie varieties are endless. Seriously, they’re endless. If you can think of it, you can probably throw it into a smoothie.

Here are some ideas to start with:

Liquids: Milks (any kind), coconut water, Kefir, cold coffee or tea or even water.

Fruits and Veggies: Go nuts here! Try figs, dates, kiwi or mango, chard, collard greens or celery.

Fats: Nut butters, coconut oil, cashews or avocados.

Thickeners: Yogurt, flaxseed meal, chia seeds, oats, protein powder or ice.

Smoothie Tips:

· Freeze the makings for smoothies in canning jars or plastic bags.

· Bananas are great smoothie starters. Peel them, cut them into four pieces, freeze the pieces on a cookie sheet and then transfer them into bags. This way, you’ll always have bananas on hand (without worrying about them going bad on your counter).

· Smoothies are a great way to sneak good things into your child’s diet!

· Add cinnamon: it helps manage type two diabetes, reduces cholesterol, reduces inflammation, and is an antioxidant.

· Making a coffee smoothie at home is way healthier than the ones you get commercially: 8 oz of milk (any kind), 1 scoop chocolate protein powder, 1 serving of instant coffee crystals, 4-5 ice cubes.

· Smoothies are a great way to use up those bits and pieces in your fridge and freezer.

· Busy moms need quick ways to get their nutrients too and a smoothie can fit into the busiest lives.

I could seriously yammer on endlessly about smoothies. They feel like such a decadent treat and, if you’re careful with the quality of your ingredients, they’re a very healthy start to your day or a snack anytime.