In the Mix Monday -- Smoothie Spectacular

I love smoothies, let me count the ways- 10 to be exact...then I will give you 10 smoothies to try.

1. There is virtually no prep work, which makes for little clean up. The blender does the heavy lifting, er- blitzing for me.
2. They are healthy. It is easy to sneak in extra fruit and veggies to get my ideal amount.
3. Can be made for a quick breakfast or anytime treat.
4. They are versatile and flexible and can be tailored to meet your tastes and diet restrictions/allergies.
5. Hydrating...they are a drink after all.
6. Loaded with nutrients, protein, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
7. They are good on the go.
8. Refreshing, when your body is craving something healthy a smoothie usually does the trick to reset my system.
9. Fun to make: take out the rarely used cups, glasses, fancy frills and have some fun with your food.
10. They are delicious!

Here are 10 Spectacular Smoothies to try, most developed by me (Deirdre) with a couple of great contributions by Tamar:

1. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie. Creamy with a hint of cinnamon and if you're feeling decadent, a squirt of whipped cream.

 1 banana (less if you don't like the taste)

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup your choice milk

1/2 cup apple juice

1/2 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

*plus more for sprinkling

*Optional: brown sugar to taste or dates (see below)

You can dress it up as depicted or enjoy simple in a tall glass.

 2. The Cinnamon Bun Remix. *Adapted from the Clean Program and originally discovered by Tamar at Naturally Frugal Family. "I modified this recipe so that I could make it with what I already had on hand, because I couldn't wait to try it!!! It was AMAZING!"~Tamar

1/2 cup Vanilla Silk Soy Milk

1/2 cup So Delicious Vanilla Coconut Milk 
1/2 vanilla extract
1 tbsp ground walnuts
1 Tbsp almond meal
1 tsp flax meal
1 scoop soy protein powder with Spirulina

 
3. Peanut Butter Cup...yes just like the one you're thinking of.

1 banana

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup apple juice

1/2 cup milk of your choice

*Optional chocolate syrup for the full effect.

4. Pina Colada...a tropical delight.

1 banana

1/2 cup pineapple juice,

1/2 cup Coconut Milk (the kind by the regular dairy milk at the supermarket)

handful of ice

If available 1/4 cup fresh pineapple

*Optional: whipped cream, flaked coconut and pineapple garnish.

5. Super Hero Smoothie. "I call this the Super Hero Smoothie because it literally saved me when my health was spiraling downward. I started drinking this every morning and I felt as though it reset my body so that I no longer felt sick every day and rather than craving unhealthy foods I craved more of the same goodness that I started my day with (read: living, vital foods!) I also call it the Super Hero Smoothie because I tell my kids that starting their day with the healthy ingredients in this smoothie will help them to feel strong and ready for adventure." ~Tamar

1/3 Cup Frozen Wyman's Blueberries

1/2 Avacado

1 small bunch Kale (stems removed)

3/4 C Silk Soy Milk (or other non-dairy milk)

1 Scoop Whole Foods Soy Protein Powder with Spirulina (vanilla flavored)

1 Scoop Amazing Grass Green Super Food Powder

1/4 tsp honey (optional)

6. Birthday Cake...yes, for real. Even super heroes sometimes have cravings for birthday cake, even when it isn't their birthday. 

1 banana

1 cup vanilla yogurt (I like So Delicious Coconut- vanilla flavor)

1 tsp lemon juice

1/4 cup apple juice

1/2 + cups milk of your choice (I went with almond- original flavor)

1 tsp vanilla extract

handful of ice

* Top with whipped topping and sprinkles...optional
Note: 
My family & I noticed that the flavors in this smoothie were enhanced nicely 
when it was allowed to "rest" in the fridge for a bit, 
creating an even more delightful blended flavor experience!

 7. Berry Berry...is very very yummy. In fact it is my favorite. 

1/2 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries. Such as strawberry, blueberry, raspberry and blackberry.

1/2 cup juice- your choice (I used orange)

1/2 cup milk (I used almond)

Handful of ice

8. Strawberry Banana. Similar the Berry Berry, but the emphasis on strawberries, especially good when the berries are looking a bit past perfection. Toss them in the blender and never notice a blemish. Also great when strawberries are in season.

The ingredients are easy peasy: 

1 banana

4 strawberries

1/2 cup apple juice and 1/2 cup milk of your choice.

9. Orange Dreamsicle. Like the drink of a similar name. When I get a bag of oranges that just aren't right...oranges can be hit or miss, sometimes bitter sometimes sweet, sometimes my kids refuse to eat them because the inner texture isn't right. I will squeeze them all then make this smoothie, the slightly bitter juice is masked by the other ingredients and we still get all the vitamin C. Regular orange juice is fine too.

1 cup orange juice

1 cup of milk of your choice.

handful of ice

*Optional (1/4 cup baked sweet potato or banana)  

10. Chocolate...yes, a chocolate smoothie. This one was inspired by Veggie Grettie.

1/2 cup cooked sweet potato

1/2 avocado

1/2 banana

2 Tbsp cocoa powder, chocolate syrup or hot chocolate mix

1 cup milk of your choice

1/4 cup apple juice

handful of ice

*Sweetener optional

Some tips and tricks:
All of these smoothies are made "by hand" meaning I rarely measure and just add by hand the quantities I have in the kitchen or based on what I am in the mood for. These recipes are versatile and can be tailored to suit your tastes. Like your smoothies sip-able through a straw? Add more liquid to thin it out. Like them thick and creamy, more of the thickener ingredients: banana, ice, etc. *See below.

I generally don't use sweeteners, but if you'd like: honey, maple syrup or dates are an option. To soften dates, place in a saucepan, with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Let soften in water for several minutes. Then remove, cool and use in smoothie.

Not into bananas...avocados and cooked sweet potato can be used in their place. Also if you're not hugely fond of the taste you can vary the amount added.

Smoothies are a great way to add supplements. I often add Omega 3 & DHA oil, protein powder, spirulina and your other favorites work well too.

The most important thing is to have fun with this creative process. Do you have any favorites you'd like to share? Let us know in the comments section below.

In health,

Deirdre

(Special thanks to fellow Ladies Holiday contributor, Tamar for sharing her fave smoothies "The Cinnamon Bun Remix" and "The Super Hero")