As the chill of Winter starts to fade, we gravitate towards foods that are bright, refreshing, and seasonal. And what’s more fitting for the warmer weather than the perfect Spring smoothie!
Smoothie Tips
Smoothies can be tailored for any meal, at any time – that’s what makes them so deliciously convenient! Here are five tips for making the perfect Spring smoothie:
1. Use a Good Blender
Whether you buy a Ninja or a Vitamix, having a dependable blender is vital to smoothie making. More powerful (and expensive) blenders tend to produce silky smooth drinks, and consistency becomes important once you start using greens like kale or spinach.
2. Add Something Frozen
It’s a great idea to keep a rash of frozen fruit and vegetables on hand, just for smoothie making! If you have produce that’s starting to go bad such as bananas, berries, or pineapple – throw them in ziploc bags and add them to your smoothie stash in the freezer.
If you don’t have any frozen produce on hand, add ice!
3. Go Green!
Adding spinach to your smoothie is an easy way to drink your salad for the day! Spinach tends to be a much milder green that you can’t taste when it’s blended. Kale is also a great choice, but it does have a bitter taste, so it works best when blended with something sweeter, like apples or oranges.
4. Sweeten Naturally
The fruit you use will make your smoothie nice and sweet, but sometimes it’s great to add in just a little extra. Dates are a great way to add a delicious sugary taste! Stevia is also a good and healthy alternative, as is pure honey or maple syrup.
5. Load up on Healthy Extras!
You can add in all sorts of goodies to make your smoothie even more healthy! Chia seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseeds, and cacao nibs are all great options. Of course, adding in a high-quality protein powder can help add bulk and nutrition to your smoothie as well.
Spring Smoothie: Chocolate Banana Mint
Here’s a delicious green, minty smoothie recipe that is perfect for Spring! Mint is a great addition to this smoothie as it promotes digestion.
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe frozen bananas
- 4 dates (pitted)
- 2 handfuls of spinach
- 4–5 mint leaves (chopped)
- Almond milk, unsweetened (2–3 cups depending on the consistency you prefer)
- Cacao nibs (optional)
Directions:
- In a blender, combine bananas, dates, mint, spinach, and almond milk.
- Blend thoroughly until smooth.
- If consistency is too thick, add more almond milk.
- Pour into cups, garnish with cacao nibs, and serve cold.