The same routine meals or beverages often get boring when repeated day after day, and after a point in time, one may start to dislike the dish altogether! Bodies and tastebuds respond well to foods when the ingredients are new, refreshing and differing in flavours.
Smoothies are one of the easiest ways to introduce variety into your palate. Whether they’re are creamy or runny, fruity or green, if the ingredients are proportioned right and blended well, they can actually fill in for a meal or snack quite effectively.
Health coaches often encourage their clients to opt for a variety of smoothies, and the best part is that these recipes aren’t too difficult to whip up.
Here are some delicious and super quick smoothies that are sure to pep up your day.
Banana Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie:
This perfectly filling morning drink is high protein, and simple to make.
Ingredients:
• 1 lb silken tofu (455 g)
• ¼ cup maple syrup (55 g)
• 2 bananas, sliced
• ⅓ cup fresh mint (15 g), packed
• 1 oz dark baker's chocolate (30 g), roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 cup soy milk (235 ml), or other milk substitute
Method:
1. In a mixing bowl, add tofu and maple syrup and whisk until smooth. Ensure there are no lumps remaining in the mixture.
2. Now transfer the tofu mixture to an ice tray, using a spatula to evenly spread it in each cube space. Leave it to freeze completely.
3. Combine bananas, mint, chocolate, 4 tofu cubes, cocoa powder, and milk in a blender and blend it well until smooth.
4. The yummilicious smoothie is ready to be served!
Orange Peach Mango Smoothie:
This tropical-flavoured smoothie is just right to uplift your mood with its sweet and juicy taste.
Ingredients:
• 1 lb silken tofu (455 g)
• ¼ cup maple syrup (55 g)
• 1 orange, peeled and sliced
• ½ mango, peeled and diced
• 1 peach, peeled and de-stoned
• ½ cup soy milk (120 ml), or other milk substitute
Method:
1. Whisk tofu and maple syrup in a mixing bowl until no lumps remain.
2. Transfer the tofu mixture to an ice tray and use a rubber spatula to evenly spread the mixture in each cube space. Leave it to freeze.
3. Put orange, mango, peach, 4 tofu cubes, and milk in a blender, ensuring that the cubes sit on top of the fruit.
4. Blend well and serve chilled!
Vanilla Black Tea Smoothie:
Just the right beverage for year-end weather, especially if we’re welcoming cooler days!
Ingredients:
• 1 cup black tea (240 ml)
• ½ cup almond milk (120 ml)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla protein powder
• ½ cup plain yogurt (120 g)
• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 cup blueberry (100 g)
• 2 cups ice (280 g)
• Sliced almond, for serving
Method:
1. Use a blender to blend the black tea, almond milk, protein powder, yogurt, banana, blueberries and ice until the entire mixture smoothens.
2. Pour into glasses and serve garnished with sliced almonds for enhanced taste.
Strawberry Ginger Beet Smoothie:
Just the right drink to kick-start your day with its enticing flavour!
Ingredients:
• 1 cup strawberry (150 g)
• 1½ cups romaine lettuce (115 g)
• ½ red beet, peeled, diced
• 1 piece ginger, 1-inch (2 ½ cm), peeled
• 1 ½ cups ice (210 g)
Method:
1. Put strawberries, lettuce, beet, and ginger in a food processor and blend together until smooth.
2. Feel free to add ice and crush it well while blending.
3. Your smoothie is ready!
Tropical Green Protein Smoothie:
A healthy mix of coconut milk, spinach and pineapple for a rich smoothie.
Ingredients:
• 1 ½ cups coconut milk (360 ml)
• 1 cup fresh spinach (50 g)
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 ½ cups mango (250 g), diced and frozen
• 1 ½ cups pineapple (130 g), diced and frozen
Method:
1. Using a blender, blend spinach and milk until smooth.
2. Once the above mix is ready, put the remaining ingredients in the same processor and blend them all together until smooth.
3. Your smoothie is ready to drink fresh.
Cucumber Apple Mint Smoothie:
This blend of cucumber, honey, avocado and apple is sure to revitalise your body and mind!
Ingredients:
• 1 large cucumber, peeled and sliced
• ¼ cup mint leaf (10 g)
• 1 green apple, diced
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ avocado, diced
• 1 ½ cups ice (210 g)
Method:
1. Blend cucumber, mint, apple, honey, and avocado in a blender until it forms a smooth texture.
2. Add the ice-cubes and blend further.
3. Serve chilled, immediately.