Happy New Year! Here is to a new happier, healthier you. We had our fair share of baked goods, bubblies and carbs. Now it is time to reset and retrain our bodies, which can be difficult but worth it. My goal is to help you on your new journey and give you a delicious recipe for a fresh fruit smoothie.
Smoothies can be prepared in many ways, and all need no special measurements and can be changed to suit your taste. A healthy diet should consist of at least 2-3 servings of fruit and 3-4 servings of vegetables a day. So having a smoothie is the easiest way to consume a large quantity, because everything is blended into a drink.
A good smoothie needs fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables, a liquid base, vitamins, or healthy grains. Your drink can be constructed based on your health goals and taste buds. Smoothies can also be used to replace a balanced meal, just add a protein shake as the liquid instead of juice or water.
To build your smoothie use fresh or frozen fruit, if using fresh fruit add about ¼ cup of ice or more for a thicker smoothie. If using frozen fruit, no ice is needed. To save money you can buy fresh fruit, wash it, and place it on a cookie sheet, freeze and store it in Ziplock freezer bags.
Any liquid base you like is fine, some use coffee, juice, water, or protein shakes, flavored syrups, and yogurt. Using liquid helps blend the smoothie and gives it a nice silky texture.
Vitamins and grains like oatmeal, flax seed, chia seeds and even Metamucil will make your smoothie super healthy. I have even used peanut butter in my smoothies, and it is delicious. Again, whatever health goal you have, use those ingredients in your smoothie.
Here is my simple smoothie recipe and enjoy the step-by-step video below.
Strawberry Raspberry Crème Smoothie
½ of banana
½ cup sliced strawberries
½ tsp chia seeds
½ tsp ground flax seeds
Raspberry syrup (I use Torani syrups)
Vanilla protein shake
¼ cup ice
Blend all ingredients, pour in a glass, garnish with fruit, and enjoy!
Here is to a healthy new year!