The Power Smoothie

Juicing and smoothie’s have exploded back onto the health scene and everywhere you look on the internet, whether it be on health blogs, nutrition plans, Instagram the word juicing or smoothie pops up.

It took me a while to jump on the band wagon due to the perceived time and equipment barriers. So only in December did I ask Father Christmas for a blender and a juicer in order to begin my journey. Out of the two, although I love the fresh juices, I think I personally prefer making smoothies. It tends to be quicker, you seem to produce more drink from what you put in and the smoothie itself is more substantial due to the flexibility of what you can put into it.

Over the past few months I have ‘bravely’ stepped into using vegetables along with the fruit, yogurt and almond milk. I can confirm it tastes great! You cannot really taste the veg and the more citrus fruit you put in the less you can taste the spinach, kale, celery, etc – which for me is important!

I have found a great company called Organic Burst who specialise in ‘superfoods’. I have daily doses of Spurlina (64% Protein), Baobab, Maca, Wheatgrass and Acai Berry. Almost all of these usually get thrown into the smoothie mix. It is the Spirulina and Wheatgrass which make the smoothies look that ‘sludgy green’ but trust me, it still tastes like a fruit explosion!

The difference these superfoods make to the smoothie is crazy. A few times a week my alarm goes off at 5.30am and the ONLY way I can feel great whilst teaching and training people at this God forbidden hour is by sipping on one of these.

Because of the high quality nutritional content of what goes in, I never have a sluggish moment before lunch – honestly!

TOP TIP – I make a big batch on Sunday/Monday and divide into 3 air tight travel cups. They stay fresh and always lasts me 3 mornings. You can make more and freeze too, but I usually make a second batch mid-week with different produce to add variety.

BASIC POWER SMOOTHIE RECIPE

Ingredients:

x2 bananas

x2 oranges

x1 lemon

x1 lime

x3/4 dessert spoons of 0% Total Greek Fat yogurt

x1 dessert spoon of Spirulina, Wheatgrass, Baobab

Handful of Chia Seeds

Handful of chopped up raw Kale

Almond milk

Honey or Agave Nectar to taste

To make:

Chop up bananas and place in blender. Chop up and squeeze in orange, lemon and lime. Add in yogurt, chia seeds, kale and superfoods. Pour in as much almond milk as you wish (the more you pour in the thinner the smoothie will be). Whizz in the blender and then add the honey or agave nectar to taste.

Once you have done this a couple of time you can then start to replace/add in with things like berries (tastes amazing), melon, spinach, celery, avocado, dates, cashew nut milk, wheat bran, flax seeds, oats for flavor and to include other nutrients. This does wonders for your immune system, skin, nails, hair as well as energy levels.

You do not need a fancy blender, just buy a basic one (as long as it blends!). In the comments let me know how you get on with your experiments and note down any particularly good ones!