Sometimes, you don’t have the time to prep and sit down for a traditional meal. Maybe you’re running late. Maybe an emergency came up. Either way, it could just not be in the books today, no worries, it happens. You might be on the go, but that’s no excuse to deprive your body of the nutrients, vitamins, and calories it needs to keep going.
So, what’s a solution? Try a smoothie! Honestly, almost anything can be a smoothie. All you need are some healthy fruits and veggies, cold liquid or ice, and a can-do attitude. A metal straw doesn’t hurt either. Let’s explore our options with these five quick and easy recipes!
Mean Green Smoothie
Straight out of the Pure 21 Wellness Challenge Guidebook, this classic recipe is packed with protein, potassium, and healthy fats. It tastes great and will keep you full and energized.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 ¼ cup almond milk
- 1 apple, chopped
- 1 medium banana, frozen
- 1 ½ cups fresh organic spinach
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- ½ medium avocado
- 1 scoop Whey Protein Isolate
DIRECTIONS
In a blender, add in all ingredients and blend on high for 1-2 minutes or until ingredients are well combined. If necessary, add in more almond milk to thin the smoothie.
Apple Pie Smoothie
This recipe from Pure 21 Participant Alicia Kay Sobczynski has all the flavor of the All American classic, without all the unnecessary sugar and additives. Whip yours up on a warm summer morning or a cool autumn night for satisfaction fresh from the orchard.
INGREDIENTS
- ½ apple
- ½ pear
- 1 cup cooled chai tea
- 1 dash cinnamon
- 1 scoop Whey Protein Isolate
- Optional: Stevia
DIRECTIONS
In a blender, add in all ingredients and blend on high for 1-2 minutes or until ingredients are well combined.
Avocado Smoothie
If you’re looking for something with a few more vegetables, try this avocado smoothie from the Good Food team at BBC. If the measurements in the link throw you off, we learned the metric system and converted them below, so you don’t have to.
INGREDIENTS
- ½ avocado
- 1 handful spinach
- 1 handful washed kale
- 2 oz pineapple chunks
- 7-8 slices of cucumber
- 1 ¼ cup coconut water
DIRECTIONS
Peel and roughly chop the avocado. Place spinach and kale in blender first. Top with avocado, cucumber, and pineapple. Add coconut water and blend until desired texture is reached.
Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
When someone turns a popsicle into a drink, you immediately think it’s too rich, decadent, and sweet to be healthy. Luckily, thanks to Kari from Get Inspired Everyday, you can experience all the sweetness and tartness of an orange creamsicle (or dreamsicle) without breaking the rules of Pure 21! Finally, desserts for breakfast! Click the link if you want to make enough for friends, but we did the math here if you’re flying solo.
INGREDIENTS
- 5 medium oranges, peeled
- 3 oz coconut milk, refrigerated
- ½ tbsp orange zest
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
In a blender, add ingredients in the order they’re listed. Blend, starting on low and gradually increase speed until the mixture is smooth. Slowly add water if needed.
Spicy Tomato Gazpacho Smoothie
Stay with us here. Sure, the idea of a savory smoothie seems off-putting. It feels like a slight against nature. But we tried this recipe from Eating Rules and it tastes amazing. The 10+ ingredients create an intense, yet adventurous flavor profile that sharpens the senses and confuses the tastebuds in a groundbreaking way. Plus, to its credit, gazpacho is already a cold soup. Out of all the soups to turn into a smoothie, this makes the most sense. If we’re getting weird, let’s really lean into it.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- ¼ red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- ¼ English cucumber, chopped
- ¼ medium avocado, peeled
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
- ½ tbsp red onion, finely chopped
- Pinch of celtic sea salt
- Pinch of ground black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- ½ cup ice cubes
- Optional: ½ tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Optional: ½ tsp jalapeño chili, finely chopped
- Optional: 1/8 tsp lime zest
DIRECTIONS
In a blender, add all ingredients. Blend on high for 1 minute until smooth and creamy. Adjust more flavorful ingredients to taste.
Next time you’re caught in the hustle and bustle of life, don’t let that stop you from acknowledging your hunger. Take 5-10 minutes out of your day, try one of these recipes, and get where you’re going feeling happy and healthy!