LIFE'S A PEARL

The way I’ve been beating my sweet tooth this year is with smoothies!

We got a Vitamix last summer when our trusty blender finally gave out and it’s been life changing.

Now we make a smoothie as an after-dinner “treat” most nights but it all started in the heat of that summer when I needed a healthier substitute for all the ice cream I was craving.

Today I’m sharing 5 of the recipes that we have in our regular rotation!

Smoothie Base Ingredients

Smoothies are endlessly versatile!

Below are the necessary elements for making a great smoothie but you can adjust each ingredient for your own dietary requirements.

You can also experiment by mixing and matching within each category to come up with your own unique recipes!

Note: Stacking your ingredients in this order will make the blending process easier.

1. Liquid

We use whole milk at our house, but you can substitute whatever your preferred milk is for these recipes including nondairy options like almond, oat, coconut, and soy.

Water and juice can also be used as the liquid component for other smoothies.

2. Frozen Fruit

We use a large frozen banana as the base fruit for most of our smoothies. They add the natural sweetness that make these taste like a treat! The more spotted your bananas are before freezing, the sweeter they will be.

Substitutes that offer a similar consistency if not the same sweetness include mango and frozen cauliflower.

3. Something Creamy

We add avocado to most of our smoothies. It gives them a decadent mousse texture. Some even taste more like a milkshake!

Greek yogurt, nut butters, and milk kefir can also add creaminess.

4. Add Ins

We usually throw in a few add ins to boost the nutrition of our smoothies. Most often ground flax, a handful of leafy greens, some herbs (parsley pairs wonderfully with chocolate peanut butter!), or a spoonful of nut butter.

Other ideas include chia seeds, hemp seeds, oats, dates for something really sweet, and even protein powder.

5. Ice

If you need a little extra thickness add a few ice cubes.

5 Healthy Smoothies to Enjoy this Summer!

Just add these ingredients to your blender, blend until smooth, and enjoy!

Each of these recipes makes roughly 16 oz. They fill one of our pint size mason jars. Best enjoyed with a straw.

Chocolate Peanut Butter

• 1 cup of milk
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/4 of an avocado
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp peanut butter
• 1/2 tbsp ground flax

Mint Chocolate Chip

• 1 cup of milk
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/4 of an avocado
• 1 tsp peppermint extract (even better – a handful of fresh mint leaves!)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or pure maple syrup
• 1/2 tbsp ground flax
• handful of greens
• 1 tbsp mini chocolate chips

Pina Colada

• 1 cup coconut milk (We usually use canned – it’s extra creamy)
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/4 cup frozen pineapple
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice, optional

Strawberry

• 1 cup of milk
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries (about 4 or 5 strawberries)
• 1/2 tbsp ground flax

Mojito

This one is a variation of a vegan smoothie recipe I was obsessed with years ago! The original recipe was in the Everyday Happy Herbivore cookbook by Lindsay S. Nixon.

Our take:

• 3/4 cup of milk
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tbsp ground flax
• squeeze of lime juice (even better – juice from 1/2 a lime)
• 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
• 6 mint leaves
• 2 or 3 ice cubes
• a touch of maple syrup (optional – if you’d like it sweeter)

More Summer Recipes to Try!

• 3 Healthy Homemade Salad Dressings
• Overnight Oats with 3 of Our Favorite Flavor Combinations
• Sun Brewed Tea and Coffee
• 10 Water Kefir Flavors

---

What’s your favorite kind of smoothie?