Over the past few years, I’ve become one of those smoothie people. I make them with spinach and beets and pretty much any veggie you can stick in a blender and mask the potential weirdness with one or more fruits. The summer heat has prompted cravings for sweet, cold treats, which kicks in around afternoon or evening and I’ve been doing smoothies as an alternative to ice cream. Not that there is anything wrong with ice cream — I love it. But, I also like to cram nutrition into my body at least 80 percent of the time and maybe curtail the ice cream snacks to a couple of days a week. Enter, sweet, satisfying smoothies. Here are a few of my favorites of late. Feel free to mix up the ingredients to your preferences, omitting what you don’t like and swapping with your own favorites. Also, if you want to punch up the protein, add your favorite protein powder.
Cinnamon Bun Smoothie
Ingredients
- 4-6 ice cubes
- 1/2 banana, frozen if possible
- ¼ cup maple or honey granola (reserve a teaspoon for garnish)
- ¼ cup almonds or pecans (reserve a teaspoon for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup milk or alternative milk (I use almond)
- Sprinkle of unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
Instructions
If you love cinnamon buns, you are going to become addicted to this one. Layer ingredients in order of above list into blender. Blend and add more milk depending on your desired consistency. Pour into glass, garnish with granola, almonds and cinnamon.
Mango Smoothie
Ingredients
- 4-6 ice cubes
- 1/2 banana, frozen if possible
- 1 cup frozen or fresh mango, cubed
- 1 cup milk or alternative milk (I use almond)
Instructions
The mango in this reminds me of a tropical drink. I seriously considered adding rum, but I’m doing Dry July! Layer ingredients in order of above list into blender. Blend and add more milk depending on your desired consistency. Pour into glass.
Chocolate Shake Smoothie
Ingredients
- 4-6 ice cubes
- 1/2 banana, frozen if possible
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
- 1 cup milk or alternative milk (I use almond)
Instructions
This one actually tastes like a chocolate shake. You could add malted to it, if you are into malts. Layer ingredients in order of above list into blender. Blend and add more milk depending on your desired consistency. Pour into glass.
Do you have a favorite smoothie recipe? Share in comments or email me at melanie@myneworleans.com.
