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Need a post-workout smoothie, or a healthy boost for the morning rush? I've created three blends that fit the bill for the warmer days ahead. I've even made one just for the kids.
Whether you've been on the smoothie train before, and have a few go-to smoothies up your sleeve, or you're looking for a way to sneak spinach into your kids' drinks hoping they'll overlook the fact that they're eating vegetables, these recipes should be a big hit.
I often go about creating my own smoothie concoctions with what I have on hand. With spring on its way, I decided to drink to my health, use tasty fresh ingredients and expand my repertoire.
Starting your day with a protein, fiber and vitamin packed smoothie gets your body ready for a healthy day. Our bodies need protein for healthy skin, hair, bones and heart. Fiber will help fill you up and get you through to lunch. Plus we know that fiber helps lower cholesterol, control blood sugar levels and keeps you regular.
I added spring peas to this green smoothie. Peas are sweet, full of fiber and pack eight grams of protein in one cup. Peas and spinach are a great source of vitamin K, vitamin C and iron. Flaxseeds are one of the richest sources of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids and give the smoothie a great texture.
Swap banana for the mango if you want to change it up, add an extra dollop of yogurt and flax seeds for crunch.
Sweet Green Power Smoothie
Makes 2½ cups (Serves 2)
1/3 cup frozen sweet peas 1 cups packed baby spinach 1 cup sliced mango 1 cup apple juice ½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt 1 tbsp flax seeds
Blend all ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Per serving: 186 calories, 1.5 g fat, 36 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 8.5 g protein
Kids should absolutely love the next smoothie. It's a blend of pomegranates, oranges, strawberries and almond milk. The little seeds of the pomegranates are called arils, and 1 cup of the juicy red fruit contains seven grams of fiber, more than twice the amount of fiber found in apples. So feel good about adding this fruit to a smoothie for the little ones.
I opted to add a whole orange (minus the peel) instead of orange juice for a few reasons. The fibrous parts of the orange contain phytonutrients that have anti-inflammatory properties and, you guesed it, fiber. It's great for adults and kids and blends smoothly into your drink, so you'll just taste the delicious orange. Almond milk adds a creaminess and loads of calcium and vitamin D.
Strawberries and almond milk give this smoothie a berry shake flavor kids will be familiar with and love. I love it too, and drink this smoothie along with breakfast, for a snack and even dessert.
Kids Choice Strawberry Cream Smoothie
Makes 3½ cups (serves 4)
½ cup pomegranate arils 1 cup frozen strawberries 1 orange, peel removed ½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 1 cup crushed ice
Blend all ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Per serving: 45.3 calories, 0.4 g fat, 10.5 g carbs, 1.75 g fiber, 1 g protein
Sip and recover with the post-workout smoothie. If you're active, you know the importance of that after workout nutrition. A dose of protein after resistance training helps build and repair muscle tissue (especially when you consume a blend of proteins).
Smoothies are easy to make and digest and offer a simple way to get the protein you need. Smoothies can also help you get the carbs you need to restore the glycogen burned during exercise, and antioxidants that fight inflammation and cell damage.
This delicious cherry vanilla smoothie has yogurt and sweet almond butter for protein. Raw oatmeal adds carbohydrates and a type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan that may help you control your blood sugar levels and lower your risk for high cholesterol, cancer and obesity.
After Workout Cherry Vanilla Smoothie
Makes 3½ cups (serves 2)
2 tbsp almond butter ½ cup frozen cranberries 1½ cups frozen sweet cherries 2 tbsp old-fashioned oatmeal 1 tsp agave 1 5.3-oz container vanilla Greek yogurt 1 cup coconut water 1 cup crushed ice 1 tsp vanilla extract
Blend all ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Per serving: 245 calories, 5 g fat, 41 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 9.5 g protein
Previous recipe:
Get more spring recipes for the family at TaraTeaspoon.com. Mornings are made with the Worlds Best Bran Muffins. Dinner is a cinch if you make Sausage and Greens Soup, and parties can be perfect when you serve Spicy Grapefruit Guacamole.
Tara is a Utah native who has been a food editor for Martha Stewart and Ladies’ Home Journal. She contributes delicious recipes to websites and cookbooks from her home in New York City, and has appeared on the Today Show and Studio 5. Find more great ideas on TaraTeaspoon.com.