5 Quick Tips To Master Your Smoothies

I am not a breakfast person, but I love smoothies. They fill me up, and the flavor possibilities are endless. I love my Vitamix Blender and use it almost every morning to make me or my children smoothies for breakfast on the go. Today I’d thought I would share 5 tips to help you become a Smoothie Master. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try out different recipes until you know what you like. I also included a couple of recipes to help get you started and boost your mornings.

1. Add fruits or veggies. Did you know if you add a cup full of Kale into your blender while mixing your smoothie that the smoothie will turn green but will still taste like the delicious sweet fruit you mixed with it? Don’t be afraid of color! Try mixing different fruits or vegetables for delicious new flavors. Use frozen fruits for creamier and sweeter results.

2. Choose your base. Juice, green tea, coconut water or iced coffee thin the smoothie while adding a whole lot of flavor. Almond milk, soy milk, or skim milk keep a smoothie from getting too thick. Using just plain cold water is a fantastic base to use when you’re counting calories.

3. Choose your feel. If you like your smoothies a little on the frostier side be sure to gradually blend in the ice until you get your desired texture. Use frozen fruit in place of ice to get a creamier punch of flavor. If you like it a little on the icier side, then add the ice cubes all at once to get a super chilled smoothie. This is especially helpful if you’re not going to drink it right away and need it to stay cold longer.

4. Choose your texture. Some like it creamy and if this is the name of your game then adding different kinds of nut butter help smooth out rough, chunky textures and add a punch of protein to boot. Greek yogurts, kefir, and frozen yogurts also help smooth out the texture, and flavors while adding health benefits like probiotics and calcium.

5. Boost your smoothie by adding protein powders to ensure you feel fuller longer while still getting the nutrition you need. Add fiber to help regulate your bowels and cleanse your insides. You can add vitamin supplements in powder forms or seeds such as flax seeds, or chia seeds for nutrition. Need to feel fuller longer? Try adding oats. Don’t be afraid to try lemongrass, ginger, or anything you might feel has a health advantage for you.

So whether you’re suffering from morning madness or plan your drinks, these smoothies are sure to be winners. Once you master your smoothie making abilities the possibilities are endless.

Morning Breeze (2 servings)

• 1 cup (about 3 Kiwis) of chilled peeled and diced kiwis
• 1 cup of orange sherbet
• 1 3/4 cups of chilled diced cantaloupe
• 1 serving of Metamucil powder
• 1/2 frozen banana (**pro tip: It’s easier if you peel, slice and then freeze the banana)

If you have a Vitamix or Ninja you can add all of the ingredients at once and blend away, but if you have a regular house blender the start with blending the kiwi, orange sherbet, and Metamucil. Then add diced cantaloupe slowly and blend again until smooth. Serve and enjoy!

Chocolate Protein (2 servings)

• 3/4 cup of almond milk
• 1 serving of chocolate protein powder of your choice
• 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
• 1/3 cup of chopped dates
• 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt
• 1 frozen banana **remember the pro tip

This is a thicker smoothie so you can increase the almond milk to 1 1/2 cups to thin it out. If you have a Vitamix or Ninja you can add all of the ingredients at once and blend away, but if you have a regular house blender the start with blending the almond milk, yogurt, and protein powder. Then add dates and peanut butter and blend again. Lastly, blend the frozen banana slices, a few at a time until you have your desired consistency. Serve and enjoy!

I hope you enjoy your smoothies as much as I do. If you have some great recipes, tips or trick we’d love to read them in the comments. Have a great morning!