This might be you:

“What should I have for breakfast? I have a long day ahead of me and I am so not in the mood for eggs again…”

Is this you? If so, smoothies are almost always the answer. I love smoothies because they’re energizing and filling. They can be extremely beneficial to your health if you pack them with the right ingredients.

Smoothies are perfect for breakfast because they set the tone for your entire day. I’m not talking about those sugary, creamy, dessert-esque smoothies. I’m talking about fruit and plant-based smoothies. Real fruit, none of that juice crap. I’m talking au naturale, vitamin packed goodness. Be not fooled by the word “plant” these smoothies can be extremely delicious if you know how to make ‘em.

So what are the benefits exactly?

FIBER

First of all, fiber is an essential component of our diets. So often we forget about the importance of fiber and that’s just unacceptable. Fiber is present in fruit and vegetable smoothies, but not so much in juices. It promotes healthy digestive movement, aka it prevents constipation and keeps the systems running smoothly. A fiber packed smoothie will also help you feel full longer. Fiber consumption reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes. How do you get fiber into that dang smoothie?

Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are awesome, they contain tons of fiber, omega-3, magnesium and calcium. One tablespoon of chia = 6 grams of fiber, which is way more than most bread.

Greens: Yum, I love greens. Throw some spinach and kale in your smoothie, don’t be scared, you’ll barely taste it if you use the right recipe. And besides, the benefits totally outweigh the taste. 2 cups of greens = 5-6 grams of fiber.

Berries: Yummy! Berries are super high in fiber and they’re absolutely delicious. 1 cup of raspberries or blackberries = 8 grams of fiber. 1 cup of strawberries or blueberries = 4 grams of fiber.

KILLING MULTIPLE BIRDS WITH A SINGLE STONE

Not two birds, a multitude of birds. I’m obviously not talking about real birds because animal cruelty is terrifying—I’m talking about nutrients. A smoothie is blended, duh, so we are able to pack tons of nutrients that we regularly would not be able to eat in solid form in a single sitting.

What do I mean? Okay guys, raise your hand if you’re interested in eating 2 cups of leafy green kale or spinach. If you raised your hand, more power to you, but if you’re like 99% of people you’re probably keeping that hand way down.

I guess you could sit down for breakfast and eat a cup of berries, a cup of kale, a spoonful of flax-seed oil, a slice of ginger root, a cup of milk/almond milk, a few spoons full of powder protein a banana, and maybe some peanut butter. But would you? So yeah, blend it up. So many birds, just one stone.

DIY

Do it yourself. You do it. You do you. You’re the one making the smoothie so you decide what goes into it. So often I hear that people “don’t like smoothies…” How they heck could you not like a smoothie? “Oh well, I don’t like mango…” Okay cool so don’t put mango in your smoothie, it’s up to you what goes into that blender. But do yourself a favor and throw in some nutrients, don’t make a milkshake.

ON THE GO

Do you ever find yourself rushing in the morning? No time for this, no time for that. Me too. Smoothies are awesome because you can throw ‘em in a to go cup and bring them to work, to school, etc. However, I recommend carrying floss with you if you’re going taking this on-the-go approach. Seeds tend to make their way into our teeth and it ain’t cute.

I make all of my smoothies using the Blend Tec Blender. It’s absolutely the best blender I’ve ever used. Definitely on the pricier side, but it’s absolutely worth it.  

 Here are a few of my all time FAVORITE smoothie recipes:  

The MiKale Jackson 

• Almond Milk – 1 cup
• Banana – 1 fruit
• Strawberries – 1 cup
• Peanut or Almond Butter – 1 rounded tablespoon
• Kale – 1.5 cups
• Vanilla Protein Powder – 1 or 2 rounded scoops

Title here

• Almond Milk – 1 cup
• Blueberries/Cherries – 1 cup
• Spinach/Kale – 1 cup
• Ground Flaxseed – 1 tablespoon
• Chocolate Protein Powder – 1 or 2 rounded scoops

Everything You Avo Wanted

• Almond Milk – 1 cup
• Fresh Ginger– About 1/2 an inch, teen tiny, it’s powerful.
• Avocado – 1 fruit
• Blueberries – 1 cup
• Spinach/Kale – 1 cup
• Banana – 1 fruit
• Vanilla Protein Powder – 1 or 2 rounded scoops

Cashew Outside Howbow Dah? 

• Almond Milk – 1 cup
• Raspberries – 1 cup
• Cashew Butter – 1 tablespoon
• Banana – 1 fruit
• Cinnamon – 1/2 teaspoon
• Vanilla Protein Powder – 1 or 2 rounded scoops

A few notes:

Use ice if you need ice (you definitely need ice if you don’t have frozen ingredients). I like to use frozen fruit in lieu of ice. You can use frozen greens to save some $ as well. I personally don’t eat dairy, but you can absolutely use yogurt, kefir or milk into any smoothie recipe.

Still noting:

There are SO. MANY. smoothie variations. Try different things, see what you like and don’t like. You can cater a smoothie to your exact needs. Weight loss? There’s a smoothie for that? Liver detox? There’s a smoothie for that.

DIY, remember? Now, get blending!