Smoothest Move

Anyone that knows me knows that I really have a hatred for smoothies, raw juice or any type of Jamba Juice concoction.  However, since really changing my diet and trying to be more aware of what I am putting in my body and the effect it has on my daily energy levels, I've ventured into smoothies.  While still experimenting, I've taken flavors and textures of drinks that I really like and tried to replicate them in healthy ways, i.e. milkshakes, pina coladas, frappacinos, etc.   Below are 3 recipes that I found to be amazing and really taste like you're drinking something bad - isn't it all a mind game anyway?!

Some of the tips I've picked up along the way...

• Adding spinach barely alters the flavor at all and has soooo many health benefits.
• If eating a breakfast smoothie as a meal replacement, adding chia seeds is a great way to boost the healthiness as well as they expand when wet, so they tend to make your smoothie more filling.
• Soft tofu (normally gross) is a similar tasteless substitute to using greek yogurt for smoothies, but without a drop of dairy.  It's protein packed and gives a super smooth texture.
• Coffee has only 5 calories - minus the cream and sugar.  If you love your morning joe, add coffee ice cubes to your morning smoothie.
• Have a "creamy" addiction? Try adding unsweetened almond, or coconut milk to your smoothies.
• Honey or agave are great ways to add sweetness without a lot of calories.
• Cinnamon has AMAZING fat burning qualities (check out my fat burning spices post soon)
• Adding cooked oats (not instant) also will add to the thickness and creaminess.
• Freezing your fruit while it's fresh makes it last for weeks without going rotten.  It also eliminates the need to add additional ice cubes.
• BLEND. BLEND. BLEND.  The worst thing can be an oddly chunky uneven smoothie.

FRAPPACINO BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE

(when following the recipe it makes a little over 17oz)

5 ice cubes of your fave coffee (i used my keurig the night before and froze the cubes)

1 1/2 C. milk (i used unsweetened almond)

1/2 banana (fresh or frozen)

2 tsp nut butter (almond, peanut, sunflower, etc)

1 tsp cinnamon (insert fave flavor here, nutmeg, vanilla extract, cocoa powder) 

1 tsp honey or agave

1 tsp ground flax seed or chia seeds

Blend until smooth

COCONUT SPINACH MADNESS

I invented this so there are no measurements - wing it to taste!

Coconut milk (I prefer GOYA canned than Silk)

Spinach

Honey

Vanilla Extract

1/2 Frozen Banana

2 spoonfuls of cooked Oatmeal

Blend until smooth

VEGAN VANILLA MILKSHAKE SMOOTHIE

1/2C. soft tofu (soft has more protein, not the extra soft)

1C. vanilla soy milk (or almond)

1 whole frozen banana

1/2 tbsp peanut butter

Blend until smooth