Summer is upon us. The sun’s rays are a little brighter, and laughter seems a little louder. More time is spent outside than inside. When being active outdoors and in the sun, it is important to replenish the body, and these top smoothie choices not only taste good, but are good for you as well. The following are five of the best summer smoothies, created by myself, to help cool us down while helping us to feel good about what we are putting in our bodies. Enjoy!
Go Green: An extremely healthy smoothie to help give the body some extra energy. Whenever one’s body is in need of some umph, the Go Green is the “go to.” drink. This smoothie will fill you up with some of the most nutritious ingredients out there. Packed with antioxidants from the fruit and phytonutrients from the spinach, the Go Green will help to get you to your top strength.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup almond milk
1 cup of green grapes
1/2 cup frozen pineapple
1/2 large peeled banana
2 cups of fresh spinach (kale works too)
A drizzle of agave nectar
*Blend until desired texture is reached.
Fruit Salad to Go: For fruit lovers, this is a great smoothie. The Fruit Salad to Go is packed with fruits and vegetables to help cool down and replenish on a hot summer’s day. It is great for picnics and outdoor events as it tastes great and is a crowd favorite. While others on this list may be perfect after a workout, the Fruit Salad to Go is very light, so it sits well in the stomach before a workout.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup frozen green grapes
1 medium peeled orange
1/2 cup pineapple chunks
1/2 peeled large cucumber
1 medium carrot
1/2 medium apple
1 cup strawberries
1 cup blueberries
2 cups ice
1 teaspoon lemon juice
*Blend until desired thickness is achieved
Watermelon Slush: The Watermelon Slush is perfect for those summer days when all you want to do is lay out in the sun, take a dip in the pool, relax, and drink a delicious and sweet treat. Instead of going for a fattening and unhealthy milkshake, decide to make the Watermelon Slush. It is easy to make and as delicious as a shake, but much healthier.
Ingredients:
3 cups of frozen watermelon
1/2 cup of water
2 tablespoons agave nectar
1 large squeezed lemon or lime
1 banana
1/2 peeled kiwi
A pinch of chopped mint leaves
*Blend until desired texture is reached.
OJ Bliss: The OJ Bliss is a vibrantly orange colored smoothie, and a wonderful way to start the day off right. This smoothie is the morning glass of OJ, supercharged. It’s takes a little longer to make than the glass of OJ, but it’s worth it. Packed full of wonderfully colorful fruits, the OJ Bliss is sure to please.
Ingredients:
4 squeezed large oranges
1/2 cup of frozen peaches
1/3 cup frozen pineapple
1/2 cup of ice
1/2 peeled banana
*Blend until desired texture is reached.
Coconut Banana Paradise: Living in Colorado is wonderful, but who doesn’t love the escape to the beach? This coconut banana smoothie will take you the tropics. Soothing and easy on the stomach, while also extremely high in antioxidants and fiber, this smoothie is the relaxer. If you like the taste of coconuts and need your beach fix, then this is the ticket.
Ingredients:
2 cups frozen pineapple
1 cups almond-coconut milk
2 peeled bananas
1 cup frozen coconut milk ice cubes
2 tablespoons shredded coconut
*Blend until desired texture is reached.