Here’s a “smooth” way to kick off the New Year, with a healthy you! Smoothies can be a fantastic meal replacement when created thoughtfully: they should be satisfying, well-composed and (of course) super-scrumptious. Here’s a smoothie trifecta for you: choose one or make all 3!
“The Cold-Buster”: Greens, Lemon & Ginger Smoothie
serves 1
4-6 stalks celery (for enzymes and antioxidants. It’s high in folate, potassium, Vitamin B6, C, & K)
a small handful of parsley leaves (improves your immune system and digestion)
1 green apple, for sweetness (increases metabolism, Vitamin A & C)
1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled (reduces nausea, pain, and inflammation)
juice of 1 lemon (Vitamin C!)
sprinkle of hemp seeds, optional (some healthy fat & protein)
We call this smoothie “The Cold-Buster.” If you’re feeling like you need a pick-me-up, here it is in a glass!
Pop all your ingredients in your Vitamix, and add about 1 cup of water to start. Blend, using the tamper, to a nice consistency (add more water if you need to.) Taste, and adjust the sweetness (apple), spiciness (ginger) and sour (lemon) to taste. Although celery is known to have sodium, it is also super-nice to add a sprinkling of sea salt.
Because we love to garnish the smoothie, we add hemp to the top. Also, it is satisfying to “chew” on a sip…it makes us feel like we’re having a meal. If you like a “smooth smoothie,” then leave them out.
“The Vitamin C Bomb”: Orange, Fig & Coconut Smoothie
serves 1
2 whole organic oranges (yep! Skin-on for Vitamin C!)
4-6 figs (for sweetness). You can use fresh, frozen or dried
juice of 1 -or 2 lemons (more Vitamin C!)
2 tablespoons coconut oil (everyone needs some healthy fat)
sprinkle of chia seeds, optional (for fat, antioxidants, protein, and appetite control)
We call this smoothie “The Vitamin C Bomb.” If you’re feeling like you need an inoculation of good health, here it is in a glass!
Pop all your ingredients in your Vitamix, and add about 1 cup of water to start. Blend, using the tamper, to a nice consistency (add more water if you need to.) Taste, and adjust the sweetness (fig), richness (coconut oil) and sour (lemon) to taste.
Because we love to garnish the smoothie, we add chia seeds to the top. Also, it is satisfying to “chew” on a sip…it makes us feel like we’re having a meal. If you like a “smooth smoothie,” then leave them out.
“The Cravings-Crasher”: Chai Spice “Latte” Smoothie
serves 1
2 cups almond or cashew milk
4-6 dried Medjool dates (pits removed)
1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
¼ teaspoon ground clove
¼ teaspoon star anise, optional (you can use ground, or smash in a mortar and pestle)
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
a few twists freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
sprinkle of freshly toasted coconut for garnish, optional
Rich with healthy fats, protein and warming spices, this satisfying smoothie will knock your cravings outta the park!
We like to make our own fresh nut milk. Would you like to see a tutorial on that? Comment below! Also, we use whole spices, since we prefer to first toast and then grind them for optimal freshness & flavor. Using ground spices (as long as they are not too long in the tooth) is fine in this case since you probably want to make a quick smoothie without much fuss. For those who love an olfactory kitchen and have the time, freshly toast and grind your own. (We sure did!)
Add the nut milk, dates, and fresh ginger to the Vitamix. Blend, using the tamper, to a nice consistency and add the spices. Taste, and adjust the sweetness (dates) and richness (add some coconut oil for extra creaminess). Is it cold outside, or are you needing something warm? The lovely thing about the Vitamix is that you can blend on high speed for a few minutes, and the friction of the blades will warm the drink. Lovely, warm, frothy lusciousness — yes, please!
Wanna take this over the top (and add a hint of sweetness without sugar)? Then sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top. You’ll be glad you did!
I just made the fig and orange shake – so so good! I feel like doing cartwheel laps from front yard to back!