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Strawberry basil chia smoothie

This delicious vegan, gluten-free smoothie is inspired by spring. The sweet, magical taste of those early season strawberries combine with savory basil and protein-packed chia for a nutrient boost you need right now. It’s the perfect way to start your morning or give your self a guilt-free afternoon snack. This smoothie only requires four ingredients, which makes adding it to your grocery shopping list a breeze. Use fresh or frozen strawberries (depending if they’re in season or not). If you use fresh strawberries, add a bit of ice to the blender or pour over ice to chill smoothie. Fan of fruit? Also try this light and refreshing Peaches and Cream Smoothie. Strawberry basil chia smoothie Makes 2 (Halve this recipe for a single serving) Ingredients 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries 2 3/4 cups unsweetened coconut milk (or almond milk or whatever type of milk suits you!) 3 tbsp chia…

Tropi-kale pineapple kale smoothie

Start your morning with a healthy dose of dark, leafy greens masked behind a delicious smoothie that tastes like the tropics. The secret to hiding kale is pineapple. Ripe, juicy pineapple perfectly balances out any bitter kale taste. Even if you’re unsure about your tolerance for liquified kale, or swear off all things green before 11 a.m., you should still try this recipe because it doesn’t even taste like kale. That’s right. Get a crazy dose of fiber, antioxidants, calcium, vitamin K and C, protein, and more, all before you head out the door. Try this Mango Green Smoothie, too! Tropi-kale smoothie Makes 1-2 servings Ingredients 1/4 of a fresh pineapple, skinned and core removed (or 1/2 cup frozen pineapple) 4 kale leaves, stem removed 1 ripe banana, peeled 1/4 cup water (optional) 1 tbsp chia seeds Directions Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and puree on high for…

Blue and green blueberry avocado smoothie

Mornings that start with smoothies are the best mornings. They’re such a nice, light and filling guilt-free breakfast option. Plus, I just love getting creative and trying different flavor combinations — but not as much as I love squeezing in a few servings for fruits and veggies before 9 a.m. Seriously, I make smarter eating decisions all day because I know I’ve had a great start. Why stop there? I think to myself. It’s true what they say. One healthy decision really does lead to another, and another, and another. Days that start with donuts definitely don’t inspire gym workouts. If you’re trying to get in better shape this year, start with your mornings and go from there. Try this healthy blue and green blueberry avocado smoothie — it’s one of my favorites — and see if you don’t feel like making other healthy choices, too. Blue and green blueberry…

Tips and tricks to save your smoothie

Smoothies are a fun way to get your daily fruits and veggies, but sometimes things can go a little awry. They can turn out too thick, too thin, or just plain “blah.” But there’s no reason to throw all of that goodness down the drain just because it doesn’t taste right the first time. Turn your smoothie into something delicious with just a few quick tips and tricks. Here are the best ways to save that smoothie: It tastes too watery: Perhaps the ice cubes got away from you and left you with a watery tasting smoothie. The fix Save it by adding more frozen fruit (or fresh fruit if that’s all you have). Then add something creamy (like almond butter or Greek yogurt) to help lessen the watery taste. Add a splash of flavorful fruit juice (whatever you have in your fridge) and a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, or…

Creamy Fig Almond Smoothie mixes up fall breakfasts

As much as I adore pumpkin flavored foods, autumn has so much more to offer — namely, fresh figs. I don’t think I had a fresh fig until my dad decided to test his luck on a potted fig tree. With the crazy cold Pittsburgh winters, it ended up more like the fig tree testing him. If you’re not lucky enough to live in the Mediterranean or other mild, semiarid climates like California and Oregon, you’ll probably just have to buy them at the store. Fresh figs are super fragile and often bursting with juice to the point they split open. Because of this, some stores stock figs that have been prematurely picked. So beware. You may find a variety of dark and light figs. Black Mission, Adriatic, and Brown Turkey are three common varieties. Each will have a slightly different flavor, but any will work well in this creamy…

Pumpkin banana smoothie a delicious breakfast for fall

I know what you’re thinking. It’s not technically even fall yet. If you’re one of those people who can’t even look at a pumpkin until September 21, then I advise you to temporarily seek recipes elsewhere. I’m about to blow up this blog with pumpkin recipes — this Pumpkin Banana smoothie is just the beginning. I love using a bit of pumpkin puree in my fall breakfast smoothies. It’s an easy way to add fiber and flavor while getting in a festive mood. Plus, pumpkin is packed with protein, rich in antioxidants, and high in vitamin A. One trick I can’t emphasize enough is freezing your fruit — or even just half of it. So, say your recipe calls for berries and bananas — make sure your berries are frozen and use a fresh banana. Freezing at least one of your fruits can save you from having to water your…

Mango green smoothie

Smoothies are the fastest way to pack your diet full of greens. When I look at my blender bursting with handfuls of spinach or kale, I’m amazed at how easy it is to eat healthy when you have a few good smoothie recipes on hand. Not that I don’t love a big salad, but honestly, it’s not something I want every, single day. With smoothies, that doesn’t matter. I get my greens and so much more. Make this delicious Mango Green Smoothie and you’ll give your body a nutritious boost. Mango Green Smoothie Ingredients 1/4 cup coconut milk (from the carton) 1/4 cup water 1 tbsp chia seeds 2 cups lightly packed baby spinach 1 small ripe banana 3/4 cup frozen mango Directions Add ingredients to blender in the order above. Blend until smooth. Pour into your favorite glass and enjoy immediately! ALSO TRY, 9 healthy smoothie recipes.  Follow us on…

A Healthy Copycat of the famous Orange Julius Smoothie

My take on copycat recipes is this — if I want the real deal, I’ll go buy it. If I want to make it at home and eat it all the time, I have to find a way to make it healthier. Thus began my quest for a copycat Orange Julius recipe. Turns out, my recipe is not just as good as the “real thing,” I think it’s actually better. This may be because I’m aware of the gross amounts of miles on the treadmill I’m saving myself by leaving out the juice concentrate and the added sugar.  But either way, it’s a pretty darn good recipe. So what is an Orange Julius? If you’re not familiar, you’re in for a treat. An Orange Julius kind of tastes like a Creamsicle. It’s not as thick as as smoothie or as milky as a shake. It’s slightly frothy. Chances are, if…

Cranberry, orange, almond smoothie

You may think of cranberries as a fruit option only between Thanksgiving and Christmas when popular dishes like cranberry sauce and cranberry baked goods prevail. But there are plenty of reasons to eat the fresh, ruby red fruit all year long. Cranberries have long been known to help reduce the likelihood of urinary tract infections. They also contain important vitamins such as C, E, K, manganese, fiber, and loads of antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to limit the damage caused by free radicals in your body, and help reduce signs of aging as well as helping to fight cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Cranberries may also reduce bad cholesterol, help fight gum disease, and boost your immune system. Get the picture yet? Eat more cranberries! You can add fresh or dried cranberries to any number of salads, salsas, smoothies, or dishes, but eating them fresh delivers the most health benefits. This…

Easy peaches and cream protein smoothie

With just a few ingredients, this smoothie will be your go-to breakfast throughout the whole peach season. There is nothing quite like the sweet taste of a delicious, juicy peach in the summertime. Add a pinch of cinnamon, some skim milk, and Greek yogurt for protein, and you have a healthy, nutritious peaches and cream-like smoothie to get your day started the right way. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to share this recipe with you. I make it all the time. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Peaches and Cream protein smoothie Serves 2 Ingredients 5 ounces low-fat greek yogurt 8-9 ounces frozen peaches (or use 1 large peach, pitted + 1 cup ice cubes) 3/4 cup skim milk 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional) Directions Combine all ingredients in a high-powered blender. Blend until smooth. Enjoy right away. ALSO…