There have been a couple of times in my life, where I have made the commitment to forgo my delicious morning coffee and completely kick the habit. And every time that my coffee sabatical has been a success, there has been one key thing that has made it a work - the super food smoothie.
I have weaned myself off my coffee addiction several times through the use of nutrient rich, super food packed, alkazing and super tasty smoothies. I cannot emphasise how much it helps.
Sometimes, there comes a day, where you have to let go. You have to let go of something you really love because you know the benefits will be worth it. For me, my coffee 'situation' is no different.
I made the decision last weekend that the amped-up, highly energised and mentally frantic state that coffee put me in was simply no longer serving me. I decided I needed to make a change. So, I stocked up on my pack of supplies and as of Monday the replacing-coffee-with-super food-smoothie process began!!
SO, WHAT IS A SUPER FOOD SMOOTHIE?
There is no set definition or rule about what a super food smoothie must contain. The one key component is that it must be bursting with nutrients. I would also say that they need to have an alkalising effect on the body. Most smoothies you get these days which are loaded with milk and sugar are really not that nutritious, and also create a very acidic state in the body.
Generally you will not include dairy in a good old fashioned super food smoothie. Instead, the base may be water, nut milk or coconut water. The smoothies will also have a base of fruits or leafy greens for the high mineral content, nutrients, antioxidants and enzymes. Then, on top of that you can add in some 'super foods' which are extremely nutrient dense and high in health benefits.
When I make them I tend not to follow a recipe, I just throw everything in and see how it tastes. But generally some of my favourite ingredients include;
+ Avocado
+ Kale or baby spinach
+ Almonds
+ Sunwarrior vanilla protein powder
+ Blueberries
+ Spirulina
+ Coconut water
+ Maca
+ Chia seeds
+ Cinnamon
+ Raw cacao powder
+ Coconut meat
HOW TO MAKE A SUPER FOOD SMOOTHIE
HOW TO MAKE A SUPER FOOD SMOOTHIE
Please note: I did endeavour to take photos of my very own super food smoothie. However, the images of my thick browney-green liquid taken in dim lighting at 6am just could not do my delicious smoothie justice. So, I am leaving the photo taking with the professionals! Cool?
By Linda Wagner at Nutrition to Invigorate Mind, Body + Spirit
INGREDIENTS
+ 1-2 bananas
+ 1/2 cup frozen peaches
+ 1/2 cup frozen mango
+ A couple of handfuls of spinach
+ Water
+ Ice if desired
By Sarah at My New Roots
INGREDIENTS
+ 1/4 cup hemp seeds (or use soaked almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds etc)
+ 2 heaping tbsp of raw cacao powder
+ 1 avocado
+ 1 very large frozen banana or 2 small ones
+ 2 tbsp raw honey, agave or maple syrup
+ Dash sea salt
+ 3/4 - 1 cup water
+ 4 ice cubes
From Gena at Choosing Raw
INGREDIENTS
+ 1 small banana (or 1/2 large) frozen
+ 3/4 cup frozen or pitted cherries
+ 1/2 tbsp coconut butter
+ 2 tsp cinnamon
+ 1 cup almond milk
+ 3-4 ice cubes
INGREDIENTS
+ 6" piece of cucumber
+ 3 medium kale leaves
+ 5 stems fresh mint
+ 3 stems fresh parsley
+ 1" fresh ginger
+ 1 avocado
+ 1 cup coconut water
+ Fresh juice of one lime
+ 1-2 tsp udo's oil
+ 1-2 tbsp hemp seeds
+ 2-3 drops stevia or a tsp agave
From Michelle at Health Food Lover
INGREDIENTS
+ Handful (or more) of fresh uncooked kale
+ 6-10 strawberries
+ 1 banana
+ Water
+ 1 tbsp cold pressed flax oil
+ 1 tbsp lecithin granules
+ 1 tsp crush or whole almonds for garnish
By Sarah at My New Roots
INGREDIENTS
+ 1 cup of nut milk (or other milk)
+ 1 cup frozen blueberries (frozen are fine)
+ 1 frozen banana in 3-4 chunks
+ 1 medjool date, pitted (optional)
+ 1 hunk fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
+ 1 tsp bee pollen
By Robyn at Girl on Raw
(originally by Matthew Kenney's Raw Food, Real World)
INGREDIENTS
+ 1 ripe avocado
+ 3 cups diced pineapple
+ 2 cups coconut water
+ 3 tbps agave nectar or 2 packets of stevia
+ 3 tbps lime juice
+ 1 tbsp coconut butter or oil
+ 2 tsp vanilla extract
+ Pinch of salt
By Linda Wagner at Nutrition to Invigorate Mind, Body + Spirit
INGREDIENTS
+ 1.5 frozen banana's
+ 1/2 bag frozen blueberries
+ 1 tbsp coconut powder
+ 1 tbsp chia seeds
+ 1 tsp spirulina
+ 1 tsp maca powder
+ Vanilla stevia to taste
+ Enough water to blend, approx 1/2 cup
So, please feel free to leave a comment + tell me...
+ What is your favourite super food smoothie recipe?
+ What benefits have you experienced from drinking super food smoothies?
What a great collection of recipes! I accidentally broke my blender the other day and already I'm missing my smoothie fix! x
ReplyDeleteI am SO excited to try this. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteConnie thanks so much for including my smoothie among all these delicious recipes! I came upon this recipe today which looks absolutely amazing: http://thehealthyfoodie.net/2011/12/22/chocolate-mint-green-smoothie/
ReplyDeleteKimberley - glad you like the recipes. Nothing worse than a broken blender when you are feeling inspired to whip up a smoothie! xx
ReplyDeleteOlivia - Thank you for your comment. So happy you have been inspired to give some of the recipes a try xx
Michelle - I love your smoothie and of course I wanted to include it here! It is full of yummy goodness. Ooh this choc mint one looks great! Thanks xx
This is amazing. I can't wait to try the bee pollen and blueberry recipes! I've been making smoothies/bowls with frozen acai for about a year now. My usual recipe also includes soy milk, bananas, and strawberries. I need to start adding greens!
ReplyDeleteOh my god these look AMAZING!!!
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to make smoothies but never got round to it, thanks so much! Great blog!! So happy I found it xxx
Do any of these smoothies have enough carbs/protein that they are okay to use as meal replacements?
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing, thank you so much for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteWow those teas above are perfectly good for healthy living, drinking of this kind of tea save our body from any illnesses-buy superfoods online-
ReplyDeleteHi what blender would i need to make these? Do you need a juicer instead? I think my blender is not very powerful and would only be able to make milkshakes and maybe green smoothies- but i've never tried it...
ReplyDeleteThanks :) Lizzie
Hi, fantastic website. Do you guys make a big batch of these smoothies or make one every morning? Just wondered how long they lasted in the fridge
ReplyDeleteThanks Craig
Excellent post. I love those mouth-watering healthy recipes! I'm excited to include those smoothie recipes on my meal plans. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete