Not too long ago, smoothies were foods we only read about or saw in movies; these days they have become essentials. As our tastebuds become more diversified and sophisticated and we are exposed to a wider range of foods, there is increasing pressure to make the best of every food. Juicing and smoothing are good means of achieving this. There are five ingredients that every smoothie recipes needs. Go ahead, join the smoothie revolution and kick-start your healthy life.

1. A Base

Pick your favorite: water, juice or a  non-dairy beverage. If you’re trying to minimize your calories, stick to water. Juice is perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth. For an extra creamy texture, pick non-dairy milk. Want to get a little adventurous? Swap out traditional almond milk for something more exotic like hemp milk or quinoa milk.

2. Ice

Who wants a lukewarm smoothie? Frozen banana in place of ice cubes makes your smoothie extra smooth.  Frozen fruit is perfect.

3. Green is Good

Search the fridge and throw whatever greens are lying around- spinach, kale, cucumber. You’ll find some combinations you love and others that you’d rather never taste again.

4. Protein Power

To hold you over until your next meal, you’ll need to harness the power of  satiating protein. Grab nut butters, nuts, or seeds. Or even better, scoop a serving of  a multisource plant-based protein into your smoothie. Look for powders that are minimally processed, and contain more than one plant-based protein. Extra points if it also has Omega-3s, greens, fiber, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and digestive enzymes.

5. Phat Fats

Finally, finish your smoothie recipe with a healthy fat. Think chia, flax, hemp, coconut oil, nuts or seeds. (If you’re watching calories, replace with fiber).

Now that your smoothie is properly layered, blend until silky smooth, pour into your favorite pint glass and enjoy.

Juice hints…

It is said that the daily consumption of nutrient dense juice can be a contributing factor in the recovery from illness and disease.  It is also a very effective practice for maintaining health and vitality. Unfortunately, most individuals do not have the time to prepare fresh-pressed juice on a daily basis, so the solution lies in purchasing premade juices.