Since my everyday breakfast is a palatable smoothie, I decided to share with you some insights about this amazing drink, and, of course, some ideas for recipes.
Smoothies are probably the best way to satiate your morning hunger and they are extremely easy to prepare since all it takes is just a couple of minutes. If you add to that the fact that they are also super nutritional and healthy, you will end up with the perfect meal – both scrumptious and easily digestible. All you need is a blender and you are good to go.
What is a smoothie?
A smoothie revolves around three main ingredients – fruits or vegetables, (soaked) nuts, and water/juice. Of course, there are smoothies only with fruits/vegetables and water/ice or any other liquid, such as juice or yoghurt.
I almost always accompany my smoothies with condiments and spices – carob powder (a cocoa-like powder which is even healthier – expect an article on that in the future), turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger.
Smoothie with spices
I also add some honey or date syrup to make the smoothie sweeter. If you are making a green veggie smoothie with, say, spinach, spirulina, and cucumber, a must-add is an apple. Otherwise, the taste won’t be too much to your liking, I am sure.
Why is it in a liquid form?
Imagine having several handfuls of spinach, a celery, raw zucchini, broccoli, a cucumber, a couple of apples, a lime, and some turmeric or ginger. Not that appealing, huh? It won’t be the most delicious either.
This might be obvious, but I need to mention it – consuming freshly squeezed/blended fruits allows your body to quickly and easily absorb all its necessary nutrients. Thus, it is supercharged with beneficial minerals, enzymes, and vitamins which facilitate its healing and cleaning.
A good way to incorporate drinking smoothies and fresh juices in your everyday life is to substitute your breakfast with a smoothie, for example. Therefore, your body will wake up in a much easier way, receiving all the essential nutrients, and feeling a surge of power and a boost of energy.
Guidelines and Ingredients for a Lip-Smacking Smoothie
As I mentioned above, smoothies are incredibly easy to prepare and have so many varieties. I will provide you with some ideas which are not at all comprehensive or all-encompassing. Hence, feel free to share with me more of your favourite recipes in the comments below.
The ingredients of my smoothies vary according to the season (and to my taste too – thank God, there are so many fruits and veggies around). I’ll have to mention that I am a much bigger fan of fruit smoothies so any ideas for veggie ones are welcome.
Aren’t Fruits the Most Succulent of All Foods?
First of all, the fruits. Almost always, my smoothie comprises a banana or two. Then, according to the season, I add peaches, plums, Aronia berries, apricots, guava juice (since guavas don’t grow in Bulgaria and there’s no supermarket that imports them yet… pity, I know) or mango juice, melon, pomelo, strawberries, pineapple, and so many more. Unquestionably, I prefer Bulgarian fruits and vegetables since they are one of the most lip-smacking in the world. As is Bulgarian food.
Secondly, to make the smoothies really powerful, we need to (it is optional, of course) add some nuts to get that protein boost. I prefer raw nuts that have been soaked in advance (and then thoroughly rinsed).
So, soaked nuts can be sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts (or anything else which has nuts in the word, he-he), macadamia, pecans, raisins, etc. I am not a fan of peanuts, though.
Besides these, an amazing kick for your protein intake are hemp seeds and flax seeds. Chia seeds and goji berry are a great idea, too. These last four are all regarded as superfoods because they give you so much goodness in a tiny amount.
Thirdly, in order to make your smoothie drinkable, you need to add some water (ice), coconut milk (makes the smoothie even smoother (pun intended)), fruit juice, Aloe Vera juice, nut milk, or yoghurt (this makes the smoothie quite heavy, though).
Sweeteners and Spices Turn a Delicious Smoothie into a Delectable Smoothie
In the fourth place, which is optional, you can add some sweeteners, such as honey, agave syrup, or date syrup. There are more, of course, but I prefer these three.
And, lastly, which is also optional, here come spices and condiments. I love fresh ginger. Other great suggestions are turmeric, cinnamon (goes perfectly with apples), cocoa powder, carob powder, spirulina, and wheat grass powder. In order to absorb turmeric in the best way, add some black pepper.
Here are some photos of my creations and the creations of a friend. Thanks, GG.
Okay, if it’s Friday, the weekend, or you just work from home – like me – you can spice up the smoothie with some Dominican rum. Or just ditch the smoothie and focus on the rum :)))
What’s your favourite smoothie recipes? Is it fruit or veggie?
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