Let's talk about smoothies today. Probably one of the easiest things to make in your kitchen and enjoy. A clean drink that your body will thank you for.
If you've been following me on Instagram ~ reeeeeeeems, you'll notice I've been posting smoothie recipes like crazy this year. And if you aren't, find me! I use if for my everyday 'normal' life but for the most part, I post more pictures of food than anything else. I think I'm an enjoyable person to follow. ;)
-Enough smoothies?-
Smoothies for breakfast. Smoothies for when I used to work with my cutie pies (children) and needed the energy. Smoothies for all the running energy I need with my high schoolers now. Smoothies for on the go when I don't have time to grab dinner! Smoothies everywhere!
Although it may look like I drink them all the time, I've actually set a limit for how many I drink a week. The body needs the break and a variety of fruit intake needs to be changed up.
I know they say, "Never have your meals in liquid form", but I only partially agree with this. Yes you need to actually have 'food' - on a plate, in your hands, or in a bowl; not just in a cup. But I don't see what's the issue with having a smoothie every so often for breakfast or when you need something to fill up and don't have the time. I'd personally choose a smoothie over McD's any day if I needed to reach for something and those were my last two options to choose from.
They keep me full longer than most meals, make me feel healthier, and I actually find this is the best way for me to get my fruits in on the daily. I've lacked in this category for years but now I'm on a comeback and eating them more often than ever before.
So I thought I'd post some of the fruits and products I like to use in my smoothies that I make at my place and hopefully inspire those who don't make smoothies now, to find and bring back your blender!
Liquid Preference:
- Coconut milk with Vanilla
- Coconut water
I've tried the unsweetened kind but I found the smoothies are not too sweet and I do not add any sugar to my smoothies. Keep it as clean as you can! A little sweetness from the coconut milk isn't a big deal to me.
I only use coconut water for a post-workout. It's refreshing and a good way to revitalize your body after a hard workout. It's natures Gatorade. And my body needs it even more now with all the exercising I'm doing these days.
I've also tried Almond milk, but the flavor is one I'd like to get used to. It's an acquired taste. I enjoy Hazelnut milk but I like it on the side, not in a smoothie. And I'm not a fan of soy milk. Chocolate soy milk is good once in a while, as a drink! As for milk, my stomach is slowly getting used to it again so I'm not going to throw it off--though I find if you do use milk, when blended for a long time, it gets too airy, yet thick at the same time. My smoothies are more liquidy than thick.
Fruit Preference:
- Of course I like most fruits: Mango, Banana, Cherries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Mango, Pineapple, Peaches, Oranges, Raspberries, Figs, Cherimoya, Maracuya Pulp, Lychee, Longan, Grapes, Dates, ETC!
My main thing is I like using 1/2 a banana as my base. My smoothies are better because of it and I won't make one without it. Then I add whatever I want. Get creative.
I'd also like to add that I did not add strawberries to my list. Although I LOVE strawberries, I don't like them in my smoothies. Fresh or frozen. Perhaps I need to wait for the fresh and super sweet strawberries out in the strawberry fields of Ventura and surrounding areas. Those are the only ones I'll put in my smoothies.
For the most part, I freeze all my fruit. But I like using at least one fruit that isn't frozen. I think it helps to add some fresh sweetness to my liquid meal.
Vegetable Preference:
- Frozen Spinach
- Cucumber
- Lemon Peel (Or Orange Peel -but this would be in the fruit category)
- Pumpkin (seasonal)
Spinach for the greens, Cucumber adds freshness, the peels are healthy, and sometimes I add a little pumpkin to my smoothies in the fall time.
Of course you can use Kale, but it doesn't blend smoothly, in my opinion. I prefer to make baked Kale chips. :-)
Other Options:
- Chia seeds (1-2 tsp)
- Flax seeds
- Garbanzo beans
- Tahini
- Cacao beans
- Camu camu powder
I don't add the seeds in often but I do like them in my smoothies. I'm interested in adding hemp seeds to the list. I keep forgetting to pick them up at Whole Foods.
As for Garbanzo beans and tahini, I found a great smoothie recipe awhile back that used both and it was actually pretty good! I rarely make it though. Just wanted to add it in case you were looking to try something new.
I have tons of cacao beans but haven't tried them in a smoothie yet. I think that's what I'll add in my next drink. I had the camu camu fruit in the Brazilian Amazon years ago and although you can't find that here, they have it in powder form. A powerful addition to any smoothie. I also used to add Cashew Fruit drink (I also enjoyed that fruit in the Amazon) to my drinks but Whole Foods no longer carries it. Off to try to find it somewhere else!
I also enjoy using acai though expensive. I wish I had my own coffee fruit plant! Use the juice from the fruit in the smoothies and save the beans for roasting! Wishful thinking...
Extras: Nuts, chocolate, coffee, and any nut-butter, I don't add those to my smoothies. I guess I just like them separate.
Homemade vs Jamba Juice?
I prefer to make my own than to buy them. Oddly, when I did go to Jamba (or any similar establishment), I would get sick to my stomach. I don't know why this was the case but that is enough for me to stay clear from them. When I did have my gift cards from these places back in the day, I used them only for the fresh squeezed juices (orange-banana, apple/carrot, or apple/carrot/beet/ginger blends). I enjoy juicing as well but not too often due to the high sugar and no fiber.
Clean Eating is simple, effective for your body and mind, and fun to put together. Get creative with this simple delight. I went to my friends daughter's first birthday party earlier this year and she had the great idea of making a smoothie bar! She set out the different drinks, fruit bowls, cups, and two blenders. We all chose what we wanted, blended our mixes, and enjoyed! What a great idea.
I'm glad clean eating is finally making its comeback in this world and I hope to see others indulge in this way of living and inspire others. Of course all the GMO issues in the news definitely makes it easier to make the switch. I'm thankful that I grew up with everything home made and given fast food like a 'treat' every once in a long while. Sometimes (Often) I have my cravings but for the most part, it's extremely easy to stick with clean eating when you have an early start in life of eating this way. I like my restaurants -old and new-and I am still open to trying anything when I go out! I've got my indulgences like any other person. What also helps is that I actually love being in the kitchen, which helps big time. It's more fun to cook and bake than to buy already prepared products filled with ingredients that you don't even know about!
Happy Clean Eating Friends!
