Moring Smoothie

 

I was making this smoothie religiously while drinking loads of water everyday and I swear by it.  I had so much energy, my skin looked great and I thinned out a lot.  I googled "Detox Smoothies" and after reading many others, I came up with my own. This is definitely an acquired taste but I actually enjoy it now.  To make this recipe really easy I chop and freeze the cucumber, celery and parsley in freezer bags.  You can also peel bananas and freeze them whole, I have heard you can freeze avocados but I have never done it.  This recipe fills two of these mason jars, So I always have one for lunch too!!

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 1/2 cucumber, peeled and diced
• couple sprigs of flat leaf parsley
• 1 lemon wedge, juice only
• 1/2 avocado
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• 1 cup water, more if needed or desired
• ice, desired amount.  I prefer mine more creamy and not cold in the AM
• (If I am wanting a little more sweetness I add pineapple or 1/2 an apple. You can really add any fruit you want.)

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients into a blender.
2. Blend until everything is creamy and no more ice chunks.
3. Enjoy

 

Cranberry Orange Juice

This is absolutely delicious and refreshing!  Every time my father in law comes over he always has this on hand.  He started bringing this over about a year ago and it took me a couple times to ask about it.  At first it didn't really sound appealing however, I am ADDICTED.  You can really any flavor of cranberry juice and  you call always add more or less of either one.

Ingredients:

• Crushed ice, however much you like
• 2/3 cup orange juice
• 1/3 cup cranberry juice

Directions:

Add ice to your favorite cup.

Top ice with cranberry and orange juice.

Stir and enjoy.

Avocado Fruit Smoothie

A friend of mine was telling me about adding avocados in her smoothies, GENIUS.  If you have picky eaters this is a great way to hide nutritious foods!

 



Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 4 strawberries
• 1 small apple
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups ice
• 2 cups water

Directions:  Add all ingredients into a blender and puree until smooth!

Protein Packed Smoothie

I was driving in the car the other day and just had this ingenious thought.  Why not put garbanzo beans in Logan's smoothie for some extra protein?  I figured you wouldn't be able to taste them and he likes them plain anyways.  It turned out perfectly and no taste difference at all.  Luckily for me Logan will eat most anything but, for all you not so lucky parents this is a WIN WIN for sneaky protein.

 

 Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup garbanzo beans
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 handful baby kale
• 1 orange, peeled
• 1 banana
• 1 apple
• 1 cup ice
• 1 1/2 cups water

Directions:  Blend all ingredients together until smooth!!

Healthified Orange Julius

My whole family has been trying to fight a cold and all I seem to want is orange anything!!  I had the biggest craving for an Orange Julius so, I started looking up recipes and wasn't to surprised when all of them were loaded with sugar.  This drink is so divine and full of flavor.  This is a MUST make and is perfect for SUMMER!

 

Ingredients:

• 3 navel oranges, peeled
• 1 banana
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 tablespoon Raw Agave
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 16 or so ice cubes, add more if you want a thicker drink

 

Directions:  Add all ingredients into a blender and puree until smooth!!

Berry Smoothie

It's no secret that I LOVE smoothies!!!  Absolutely love them.  This specific one hands down, is my FAVORITE!  It is so sweet, filling and most importantly, it's good for me!  A perfect snack on a beautiful day!  I enjoyed mine while reading my book next to my beautiful waterfall!!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
• 1 banana
• 1/3 cup oatmeal, raw
• 1 individual strawberry Greek yogurt

Directions:  Blend well until smooth!!

Breakfast Smoothie

I am absolutely addicted to smoothies and drink at least one of my meals a day.  They are refreshing, sweet, delicious and extremely healthy.  They definitely satisfy my hunger and my sweet tooth.  The possibilities are endless and you can even use milk for more of a milkshake feel.

Ingredients:

• 2 small hand fulls baby spinach
• 1 carrot, broken up
• 1/2 banana
• 1 cup frozen berries
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground ginger
• 1 cup water
• ice, if you want a thicker consistency

Directions:  Add all ingredients to blender, cover with water and puree until smooth.

Healthy Smoothie

 Along with fresh juice I love healthy smoothies.  I don't juice for lunch because I love bananas, so I smoothie instead.  Yes, that is a new catch phrase.  They are so fast, easy and delicious.  Another drink I am proud to give to my son.  He loves them and I love that he is getting great nutrition.  Anytime he sees me with any type of food or drink in my hand he is running over his mouth wide open ready for some.  It really makes me watch what I eat throughout the day.

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 1 satsuma or 1/2 orange
• 1/4 cup old fashioned oats, uncooked
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 8 ice cubes
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup water

Directions:  Add all ingredients into blender and liquefy.  Serve immediately.

Superfood Juice!

I love having fresh juice in the morning for so many reasons.  Mainly, because I know I am starting the day of healthy.  I crave less treats throughout the day and I feel fantastic.  Another bonus is my Son loves it and always has his own little cup.  I started out juicing with 60% fruit and 40% veggies and I am now able to do the opposite.  It is kind of an aquired taste but adding an orange or a lemon really offsets the veggie flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 chard stalks, I used green chard
• 1 stalk kale
• 1 handful baby carrotts
• 1 small apple
• 1 small orange, peeled

Directions:  In juicer add chard, kale, carrotts, apple, and finally orange. Stir and serve immedietly.

Copycat Sonic Grape Limeade

Grape Limeades are my favorite drink to order from Sonic I absolutely love them.  I wish I had the ice machine they have because this recipe would have been PERFECT.  A friend of mine posted a recipe the other day for a strawberry limeade and I knew I had to try to make a grape one.  I kind of wish I never tried this because I had two last night and its 10 AM and its all I want now!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lemon-lime soda
• 2 -3 tablespoons grape juice concentrate
• 1 lime
• ice
• 16 oz cup

Directions:  Fill cup 3/4 full of ice and add the juice of 1/2 a lime over the top.  Add 2-3 tablespoons of grape concentrate and add in soda.  Stir and top with a lime wedge!

Cookers Note:  You can add any flavor of concentrate and as much as you like.