Smoothie Time

Smoothies make a great breakfast, snack or dessert and are easy to whip up in a jiffy when you’re on the run. All you need is a blender, a few ingredients, and a bit of creativity to produce your own cool beverage. Fruits and veggies are often the main edibles in smoothies, complemented by dairy, nuts, and seeds. Strawberries, bananas, mangoes, blueberries, and pears are great fruit options.

Smoothies are also a good vehicle for sneaking some more veggies and other superfoods into your diet. Kale, spinach and carrots all make excellent additions. Chia seeds, flax seeds, and goji berries are packed with nutrients and provide great health benefits.

Now you just need some ice and liquid to get the proper temperature and consistency. Milk and yogurt are traditional add-ins, though you can also make your smoothies dairy free with some almond milk or 100% fruit juice. If your smoothie is too thick, add more liquid. Too thin? Throw in some extra fruit. A little peanut or almond butter makes for an extra special treat every once in a while, but go light. It can take over the flavor and add a lot of extra calories.

If you’re a novice to smoothie making, start simple with only a few ingredients. Some banana, strawberries, almond milk, and ice will make a great basic smoothie. Once you start playing around with different ingredient combinations, you’ll realize the possibilities are endless!