Ginger, spinach and pear smoothie

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How about a warming smoothie to get you through the winter?

Green smoothies are one of the best ways to start your morning. It’s nutrient dense and is an easy and quick way to get in a healthy meal, especially for those on-the-go. Get a good blender and mix in the right vegetables and fruits and your aversion to drinking a green smoothie will quickly dissipate. Spinach is low in calories, but high in folate, calcium, fiber and vitamins. It is rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants. Try this smoothie which couples spinach with ginger and pears. Pears support heart, brain and gut health and ginger has anti-cancer and anti-inflammation properties but also keeps the sore throat at bay.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup spinach
  • 2 ripe pears, diced
  • 1tbsp ginger, diced (or less if you are not a ginger fan)
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 4 pitted dates (I use this for sweetness)
  • 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 2 scoops flax

Method:

Blend all ingredients. And enjoy….this is a smoothie that can tide you through lunch.

Apple Pie Smoothie

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Apple pie, anyone?? How about apples and cinnamon for breakfast? This smoothie is a rif on a smoothie I came across in Mens Health magazine. We loved the flavor of sesame seeds, this one incorporates. A delicious, protein-filled smoothie that’s bursting with flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Milk
  • 1 scoop Vanilla flavored Protein Powder
  • 1 Apple, core removed, and sliced into wedges
  • 1 cup of Spinach
  • 1 tbsp of Almonds
  • 1 tbsp of ground Flaxseeds
  • 1 tsp of Sesame Seeds
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon Powder

Method:

  1. Pour milk into the blender (I use a Vitamix)
  2. Add remaining ingredients
  3. Blend and slurrrrppppppp!

Acai-Blueberry Bowl

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Acai berry bowls continue to be the Instagram rage and I just had to check it out when I saw a Acai Puree packet at Trader Joe’s. The acai (ah-sigh-EE) berry is a grapelike fruit harvested from acai palm trees, which are native to the rainforests of South America. Like other berries, acai berries contain antioxidants and fiber. Widely touted as a super fruit, it’s a very healthy way to start your day or even have as a mid-day snack.

Ingredients:

  • 1 packet Trader Joe’s Unsweetened Organic Acai Puree – 3.52 oz packet
  • 3/4 cup Frozen Blueberries
  • 1 medium Banana (keep aside a couple of slices for topping)
  • 3/4 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
  • 1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder (optional)
  • 1 tbsp Chia Seeds
  • 1/4 cup non-fat Greek Yogurt
  • 1 tbsp Honey or 2 Medjool dates (or more, depending on sweetness desired)

Method

  1. In a blender (I use a Vitamix), add the unsweetened almond milk, acai puree, blueberries, protein powder, chia seeds, honey/dates and Greek yogurt.
  2. Blend until smooth (adjust almond milk and honey/dates, if needed)
  3. Scrape mixture into bowl
  4. Top with remaining banana slides
  5. Grab a spoon and dig in

Peanut Butter – Dragon Fruit Smoothie

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The Pretty-in-Pink Smoothie gets it’s vibrant color from Dragon Fruit. This tropical fruit has a subtle sweet flavor that can be described as a cross between a pear, kiwi and watermelon. It’s rich in anti-oxidants, high in fiber and could potentially lower your blood sugar. It can also strengthen your immune system and boost your iron. Combine that with peanut butter which has plenty of protein, high in fiber and good for your bones – and you get a delicious, great-looking and good-for-you smoothie!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup frozen Dragon fruit – cubed
  • 1 Banana
  • 1 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup strawberries
  • 1 cup almond milk (or cow’s milk)

Blend, pour …..slurp!!