Summer Smoothies!

Summer smoothies are an excellent way to stay healthy and hydrated after a day of fun in the sun, an excellent way to start the day off, or an awesome way to help healthfully curb that sweet tooth!

You will need either a high powered blender or Vitamix to make these. I don’t suggest using a food processor or a blender without a high powered motor- grinding up whole fruits and veggies to a smooth consistency takes some special power!

Below are some of my favorite smoothie recipes. Mix and match ingredients and get creative with the process!

Banana-rama!

• 3 ripe-to just over ripe bananas (think banana bread) peeled and broken in half

• 1 T. ground flax seed

• 2 C. soy, almond, rice, coconut, or regular dairy milk

• 1 C. ice

Morning Power Pack!

• 2 ripe-to just over ripe bananas- peeled and broken in half

• 1 pear, any variety- cored and quartered

• 2 stalks of kale- rinsed and chopped

• 1-2 t. Vitamineral Greens (An awesome whole food green supplement that can be purchased at Zenana spa or at the People’s Food Co-op)

• A handful of ice

• 2 C. water

Cinnamon Berry Twist!

• 1 ripe-to just over ripe banana- peeled and broken in half

• 2 C. frozen berries- any variety, organic and without added sugar are best (I like mixed berries, or a combination of cherries and blueberries)

• 1-2 stalks of kale- rinsed and chopped

• 1 t. Vitamineral Greens

• 1 t. ground cinnamon

• A handful of ice

• 2 C. water

Coffee and Cinnamon!

• 2 ripe-to just over ripe bananas- peeled and broken in half
  

• 1 C. soy, rice, almond, coconut or regular dairy milk

• 1 C. brewed coffee- cooled

• 1 C. ice

• 1 t. cinnamon

Fresh and Fruity!

• 1 C. berries, any variety- frozen or fresh

• 1 small avocado- peeled and quartered
  

• 1 ripe-to just over ripe banana- peeled and broken in half

• ½ C. soy, rice, almond, coconut, or regular dairy milk

• ¼ C. pomegranate, blueberry, or orange juice.

Refresh!

• 1 seedless cucumber- peeled and diced
  

• 1 small avocado- peeled and quartered

• ½ a lemon- squeezed

• 3-4 sprigs of parsley

• A handful of spinach

• 1 pear- any variety, cored and quartered

• 2-3 C. water
  

• A handful of ice

Preparation for all smoothies: Place all ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. If the consistency is too thick, add more liquid. If using a Vitamix, I like to blend on low for about 10 seconds, blend on high for about 10 seconds and then alternate between the low and the high for about 10 seconds.