Deliciously fresh, cool, tasty summer smoothies are a filling snack or breakfast. Sip on these fruity flavours, packed with healthy nutrient dense ingredients.
Start with 1 cup fresh or frozen fruit and/or vegetables and 1/2 tray of ice cubes per person.
Add 1 tablespoon per person of seeds or nuts. Preferably soak the nuts and seeds overnight, then rinse them: this neutralizes enzyme inhibitors, releasing the full nutrient potential, making them more digestible. Blend everything together with your favourite ice crushing blender – I use a Nutribullet Pro and the Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender is also well recognised.
Fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds are an excellent sources of protein, healthy fats, fibres, vitamins, and minerals. The ice makes a fluffy texture that’s deliciously satisfying. Just add everything together into your blender of choice. Here are some fun ideas, but once you get started, you can use any combinations.
Berry
- Berries: mixed or individual
- Coconut water or coconut milk: Water provides mostly carbs and water, while milk provides primarily fat, both an excellent source of vitamins and minerals
- Banana: if you like your smoothie sweet, add 1/2 room temperature banana
- Maple Syrup: 1 – 2tsp if you need a bit more sweetness, every spoonful offers nutrients like riboflavin, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and potassium
- Mint: adds extra zing, add about 1/4 cup
Carrot
- Carrots: Of course! Large carrots (not baby), work better and are more flavoursome
- Apple: Adds texture and sweetness, and blends perfectly with carrots
- Orange juice: Citrus juice brings out just the right brightness and flavor
- Ginger: A natural anti-inflammatory, eases nausea, stomach aches, and heart burn
- Turmeric: An ancient spice with a long list of health benefits, add 1/4 to 1/2 tsp
Passionfruit
- Passion Fruit: Fresh or frozen passion fruit puree work well for this smoothie
- Almond or Macadamia Milk: A dairy free, plant based milk that helps to achieve a creamy texture
- Banana: A room temperature banana: it adds great texture and sweetness
- Pineapple: Again, fresh or frozen is fine, but it is very sweet, so don’t add too much
- Mint: Add a few springs to instantly add flavour and aroma
Kiwi Fruit
- Kiwi: Tart and sweet with loads of Vitamin C, antioxidants and freshness
- Apple: Adds texture, sweetness and extra fibre to the consistency
- Kale: High in Vitamin K1 to help decrease the risk for bone fractures, osteoporosis and vitamin C
- Celery: Contains vitamin C, beta carotene, flavonoids and more and loads of filling fibre
- Baby Spinach: The dark green colour has high levels of chlorophyll and health-promoting carotenoids
Beetroot
- Beetroot: Trimmed and washed, high in fibre and a good source of potassium, vitamin C, iron and magnesium
- Radish: Rich in antioxidants and minerals like calcium and potassium and add a spicy, peppery note
- Pitaya: naturally fat-free and high in fiber and helps lower your blood sugar
- Ginger: 1 inch piece, peeled. A natural anti-inflammatory and immune booster
- Apple: High in vitamin C it adds texture, sweetness and aids weight loss
Juicy, refreshing and nutritious – voila!