Everybody knows by now that when preparing healthy cuisine, smoothies are one of the main go-to foods. They are jam-packed with nutrition, easy to consume and digest as well as easy to transport. They are perfect for a quick meal or a meal on the go.

I want to show you how you can make great smoothies and the components of a great smoothie.
I know, most probably you would say that it is so easy that you don’t need any tips. However, a little common sense goes a long way when preparing them. Some of them can come up pretty bad!

There are four main components to consider when making smoothies:

THE BASE

Most fast food shops often use ice or water in smoothies. But when you make your smoothies with fresh living foods, it is good to emphasize on the need to ensure that  every component is nutritious and  integral to the final recipe. For this reason,  the base holds great importance.

The base may consist of(from lighter to heavier):
1. A nut or seed milk (common ones are coconut, almond, flax seeds, brazil nut or hemp seed)
2. Fruit or vegetable juice (such as carrot, apple, celery and  cucumber juice)
3. Coconut Water
4. Water (in case you don’t want to use a lot of sugar in your smoothie )

THE CORE

The base of a smoothie will define its texture.However, the core will define its taste and overall character. Usually, the principal smoothie base is a fruit, but you can make smoothies without the fruit (recipe below). I like to make my smoothies with cold fruits or frozen fruits because they provide a cooling element that eliminates the need for ice that  dilutes the flavor. Furthermore, too much ice is unhealthy. Depending on the overall flavor goals you want to accomplish, there are plenty of fruits to choose from!

SUPER FOODS ,ENHANCERS AND SPECIAL SEASONINGS

You can add other ingredients to your smoothie and experiment. Nowadays green smoothies have become very popular. This is because they add  more nutrition to the simple format of blended green drinks. Many people incorporate food supplements called ‘super foods.’ There are many different kinds, and the options are growing – spirulina, medicinal mushrooms, maca powder, goji berries, raw cacao, green powders, protein powders and Camu Camu. There is no need to put a lot of super foods in the smoothies since they are very powerful! A small amount goes a long way! Furthermore,it is important to note that   some of that food tastes funk. It is therefore wise  to try them first before you add them in a smoothie and see if you like the taste.

Another essential enhancer is high-quality fats such as coconut butter, avocado, flax or hemp seed oil, sacha inchi oil or extra virgin coconut oil. Fat will improve the flavor of your smoothie and will keep you full for a longer period and balance your blood sugar. However, use it in moderation as it will ultimately determine the balance of your final product.

Finally, we have spices and fresh herbs such as cinnamon, vanilla beans, sea salt, chili, fresh cilantro and basil and other aromatics such as lavender. They are a source of additional nutrients to your smoothie and they are full of flavor!

SWEETENERS

A final element that you can add to your smoothies to balance the flavor are the sweeteners. These include honey, stevia, dates, maple syrup, coconut nectar and much more. All the same,use it in moderation, mostly in your green smoothies because most of the fruits already have a considerable amount of ‘sweetness’ in them.
It would be wonderful for you to write some of the favorite recipes. This will help you settled for your most favorite option. I know that there are so many possibilities that can be daunting! Remember to keep it simple but flavorful!

Mint Fresh Smoothie

1 ½ cups of dairy-free milk or water

4 kale leaves

½ cup of blackberries

1 teaspoon of spirulina

2 tablespoons of hemp seeds

½ avocado

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

2 mint leaves (optional)

Dash of cayenne powder

Enjoy!

In Health

Angie

For more smoothies recipes check out my Gentle Spring Cleanse! Click on the image!