Although I love traditional breakfast foods like eggs, oatmeal, and muffins, I’ve discovered that a nutrient-dense smoothie or juice gives me plenty of energy to start the day, but without the heaviness I sometimes feel with a bigger breakfast. Plus, both smoothies and juices can be a great midafternoon snack—the perfect cure for the late afternoon lull. These rich, creamy smoothies and refreshing, vibrant juices take very little time to prepare but are immensely satisfying.
smoothies and juices
Magic Mango Smoothie
This refreshing smoothie is just the pick-me-up needed in midafternoon.
TOTAL TIME: 5 MINUTES
½ cup unsweetened almond milk 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
½ cup fresh or frozen cubed mango
½ frozen banana 4–6 ice cubes
In a blender, combine the almond milk, orange juice, mango, banana, and ice cubes. Blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass.
Makes 1 serving
Pineapple-Avocado Smoothie
Pineapple and avocado are a unique combination, but once you try this smoothie, you’ll love its bright, rich flavor.
TOTAL TIME: 5 MINUTES
½ avocado, peeled and pitted
½ banana
¼ cup fresh or frozen pineapple cubes ½ cup water
4–6 ice cubes
In a blender, combine the avocado, banana, pineapple, water, and ice cubes. Blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Makes 1 serving
This rich, creamy, and dairy-free smoothie tastes more like a banana-nut muffin. Enjoy it without guilt, but with pleasure.
TOTAL TIME: 5 MINUTES
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 frozen banana
2 teaspoons flax meal
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon honey
2–4 ice cubes
In a blender, combine the almond milk, banana, flax meal, vanilla, cinnamon, honey, and ice cubes.
Blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Makes 1 serving
Peanut Butter–Chocolate Smoothie
When I was a kid, my dad would always let my sister and me get a chocolate-covered frozen banana rolled in peanuts whenever we were at an amusement park. This protein-packed power shake brings back those great memories.
TOTAL TIME: 5 MINUTES
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 scoop dairy-free chocolate protein powder
1 tablespoon natural peanut butter
1 frozen banana
4–6 ice cubes
In a blender, combine the almond milk, protein powder, peanut butter, banana, and ice cubes. Blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass.
Makes 1 serving
Icy and refreshing, this drink falls somewhere between a smoothie and a juice. It’s perfect for a warm day. My kids love the slushy texture.
TOTAL TIME: 5 MINUTES
1 cup unsweetened coconut water
1 kiwifruit, peeled
½ cup cubed honeydew melon 4–6 ice cubes
In a blender, combine the coconut water, kiwi, honeydew, and ice cubes. Blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass.
Makes 1 serving
Strawberry-Banana Smoothie
The strawberry-banana combination is one of the most popular smoothie blends. This one has some orange juice for a bright touch.
TOTAL TIME: 5 MINUTES
4–5 fresh or frozen strawberries
½ banana
½ cup unsweetened almond milk 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice 4 ice cubes
In a blender, combine the strawberries, banana, almond milk, orange juice, and ice cubes. Blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Makes 1 serving
Very Berry Smoothie
Smoothies full of berries rank among everyone’s favorites. This one is no exception.
TOTAL TIME: 5 MINUTES
3–4 fresh or frozen strawberries
¼ cup fresh or frozen blueberries or raspberries ½ banana
½ cup unsweetened almond milk 4 ice cubes
In a blender, combine the strawberries, blueberries or raspberries, banana, almond milk, and ice cubes.
Blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Makes 1 serving
Super Green Juice
Green juices are hugely popular these days, and with good reason. They are bursting with direct-from-the-source goodness from vegetables and fruit. This one, made with kale and a green apple, tastes as fresh and green as it sounds.
TOTAL TIME: 5 MINUTES
4 large kale leaves
1 green apple, quartered and cored
1 rib celery
½ cucumber
½ lemon
In a juicer, juice the kale, apple, celery, cucumber, and lemon. Serve in a tall glass. If you enjoy your juice cold, pour it over ice.
Makes 1 serving
Radiant Red Juice
A mix of fruits and vegetables gives this juice just the right combination of sweet and savory.
TOTAL TIME: 5 MINUTES
1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries
1 green apple, quartered and cored
1 rib celery
½ cucumber
½ lemon
1 cup baby spinach leaves
In a juicer, juice the berries, apple, celery, cucumber, lemon, and spinach. Serve in a tall glass. If you enjoy your juice cold, pour it over ice.
Makes 1 serving
ABC: Apple, Beet, and Celery Juice
Apples and celery are juicing staples. When you add a beet to the mix, this juice comes alive in color and flavor. It provides plenty of potassium, vitamin C, and fiber.
TOTAL TIME: 5 MINUTES
3 large kale leaves
2 ribs celery
1 beet (including leaves), halved
1 apple, quartered and cored
¼ lemon
In a juicer, juice the kale, celery, beet, apple, and lemon. Serve in a tall glass. If you enjoy your juice cold, pour it over ice.
Makes 1 serving
Cucumber, green apple, and chard are the greens in this healthy juice. Carrots are included for another layer of sweetness.
TOTAL TIME: 5 MINUTES
2 large carrots
1 green apple, quartered and cored
1 small cucumber
4 Swiss chard leaves
¼ lemon
In a juicer, juice the carrots, apple, cucumber, chard, and lemon. Serve in a tall glass. If you enjoy your juice cold, pour it over ice.
Makes 1 serving
Reviewed by A.B
on
October 17, 2021
Rating:
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