Now that summer is finally on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about warm weather meals and what could be better than a smoothie? Smoothies are great for warmer weather because they’re healthy, refreshing and take less than ten minutes to make. Here are some tips on how to create an amazing smoothie in record time.
1) Decide what kind of blender to use
This might seem like an odd thing to include, but it’s actually pretty important (in my humble smoothie-pro opinion). Something like a Magic Bullet is useful if you want to make more drinkable on-the-go smoothies, or if you’re only planning on having one serving. A hand blender comes in handy (pardon the pun) if you’re planning on making a lot and want a multi-use tool; it’s also good if you like really thick smoothies that have a consistency more similar to ice cream. Finally, the traditional blender is good if you want to make more than one serving (if you’re planning on being nice to your roommates, or are just reeeeally hungry).
2) Decide what kind of flavour profile you want
You are in control of your flavour destiny. Do you want a super-healthy-but-still-delicious green vegetable smoothie? A tropical medley? A protein-packed breakfast with yogurt and protein powder? Or one that’s just plain fun with plenty of sweet additions like cocoa powder and fro-yo? Your smoothe, your choice! Check out pinterest for some awesome ideas that will suit your every mood.
3) Bust out those ingredients!
Hopefully you have all the ingredients for the kind of smoothie you want to make…and if not, you can always steal your roommates’ food! (This is a foolproof strategy. They will definitely not be angry. Not at all.) Some classic combinations that don’t take many ingredients (in case you and your roommates are running low on food) are:
– Dates + Banana + Milk
– Raspberries + Spinach + Milk + Yogurt
– Berries + Juice + Spinach
– Protein Powder + Banana + Yogurt
– Matcha or Cocoa powder + Banana + Mlik
– Peanut Butter + Milk + Banana
You can also choose whether you want to use fresh or frozen fruit. Frozen fruit (especially berries) tends to be more refreshing, but fresh fruit is nice during the summer when there’s lots of varieties that are in season (or if you have something in the fridge that you need to use up fast). Frozen bananas will also make a smoothie thicker – like frozen yogurt, whereas fresh bananas will make your smoothie more drinkable. The kind of liquid you pick will also make a difference. Almond milk is a smoothie favourite because it’s a lot thinner and lower in calories than regular milk but sometimes the creaminess of regular milk adds the perfect touch. Juice is also a delicious option if you want a fruitier smoothie.
4) Put them in your blender in order.
Is this step necessary? Nope. Does it ensure your smoothie will blend way faster? Yes! The whole point of a smoothie is to be a quick, on-the-go meal…so might as well speed up the process! It’s best to put the things that take longer to blend, such as the berries and the leafy greens (if you’re using them) nearest to the blender blade so put them in first if you’re using a normal blender or last if you’re using a Magic Bullet or something similar. If you’re adding powder, like cocoa powder or protein powder, add it in the middle so that it doesn’t clump up on the sides or on the blade. Adding milk or juice a little bit at a time throughout the process will make sure that your smoothie is well integrated and blends more quickly.
5) Drink and enjoy your delicious and nutritious smoothie!
Happy blending!