Wed 4-29 Smoothie tips/ideas!

So I figured today, what the heck, why not throw out some of my secrets (which really are not that secret) on making a good smoothie.

Why smoothies?

Smoothies are a great way to bottle rocket your metabolism and get things burning like a hot furnace in you. I prefer them for breakfast since during sleep, I just went through an 8 hour fast. Liquid is digested much faster and more effective then solid foods so smoothies are a KILLER way to start breakfast. You can keep it very simple, or get wild with your smoothie ingredients. I'm a fan of both sides. Some days, I enjoy just making something quick, others I make it more delectable. Here are some basics.

Just throw any of these combo in a blender, and blend the crap out of them!

For any dairy (Milk) based smoothies, meaning ~1 cup milk (I'm a skim milk dude), you can try these combos:

Strawberry/Kiwi
Strawberry/Banana
Strawberry/Blueberry
Orange/Pineapple
Mango/Pear
Banana/Crushed Pecans/Walnuts
Banana/1 Tablespoon 100% dark cocoa powder
Cherry/1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup canned 100% pumpkin/1 Tablespoon cinnamon (opt little brown sugar)
2 large peaches. That's all. (this one is a summer favorite for me) You can add some honey/vanilla extract to give it the more 'peaches and cream' effect.

There is just a very simple yet good combo list. You can even mix it up. Kiwi Banana is pretty good. etc..

Here are some fun ways to mix things up when making smoothies:

- Try adding a cup of green tea instead of milk. Boil water, steep a bag of green tea, then set glass in frig/freezer until it chills.

- Add ice cubes! 1-2 ice cubes to your smoothie can give it volume to keep you filled up as well make your smoothie colder.

- Try using 'real' fruit juices instead of milk as well. Sometimes, I use 1/2 cup of Orange Juice and 1/2 cup milk. Give it that orange cream effect.

- If there is too much, just drink 8-10 oz and save the rest for an afternoon snack

- Add some peanut butter! Esp if you are looking for more of a 'mass' (gaining muscle weight) shake. (Goes great with any banana combo)

- Add 1/3-1/2 cup oatmeal! (Nuke some oats in water, then fridge it until it's more chill so you don't have a warm icky smoothie.)

- Add anywhere from 1-3 Tablespoons of whey protein! Up the protein in it a bit.

- You can also add 1-2 Tablespoons ground flax seed. Another stealthy move to add more fiber and keep you fuller.

- As said in recipes, buying some 100% cocoa powder (I LOVE the dark cocoa one personally) to add to your smoothies is an incredible (and very healthy with the flavinoids) way to add that hard chocolate taste without the cream, sugar, fat, and all the added stuff they put in chocolate.

- Add a teaspoon of olive oil to any smoothie! I know it sounds disgusting, but trust me, you won't taste it at all. Just helps with adding some mono fat fortification.

- Go buy some of Dannons light n' fit little yogurt singles. Dump one in any smoothie for added flavor and valuable nutrition!

- Freeze the fruits, then use them for the smoothie. (I LOVE doing this) Worried about bananas going bad? Just freeze some, then take one out when ready, break it up, throw into blender. Make sure to peal them first!

- If your smoothie is heavy calcium based, eat a small handful of Almonds with it (preferably raw or cocoa dusted ones). Calcium has been shown to help with the digestion, uptake, and delivery of almonds (Mainly it's Vitamin E content).

There are just some simple tricks n' tips I do with my smoothies. Smoothies to replace meals once (or twice if you are hardcore) a day is a GREAT way to get lean/back into shape/loose weight, all that good stuff!