If you lead a busy or active lifestyle, it is essential to prioritise your health with the right daily nourishment to maintain a high level of energy and overall wellness.

To help you achieve this, one of the quickest and most convenient ways to get delicious nutrients into your body is with home-made smoothies.

Packed with wholesome ingredients, smoothies give you plenty of 'bang for your buck' when it comes to nutrient density in one quick serving.

Not only that, they're perfect when you're short on time because they're so  simple to prepare, and they're extra light on your digestive system, meaning they won't weigh you down!

Here we share with you three delicious smoothie recipes you can easily make yourself at home as part of your weekly food and healthy diet plan.

1.  Easy Berry Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups almond or coconut milk
• 1 cup organic frozen mixed berries or 2 tablespoons of Berry Raw Juice Powder
• 1/2 frozen ripe banana
• 1 pitted medjool date or 1 tablespoon of raw honey
• 1 tablespoon of raw coconut chips (optional)

Method:

1. Add all of the ingredients into a vitamix or blender
2. Blend until smooth (add extra milk if needed for desired consistency)
3. Pour into a tall glass or mason jar
4. Sprinkle with coconut chips.  Enjoy!

2.  Easy Green Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups almond or coconut milk
• 2 cups of organic baby spinach leaves or 2 tablespoons of Green Raw Juice Powder
• 1/2 green apple chopped
• 1/2 frozen ripe banana
• 1/4 ripe avocado
• 1 pitted medjool date or 1 tablespoon of raw honey

Method:

1. Add all of the ingredients into a vitamix or blender
2. Blend until smooth (add extra milk if needed for desired consistency)
3. Pour into a tall glass or mason jar
4. Enjoy!

3.  Easy Banana/Cacao Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups almond or coconut milk
• 1 ripe frozen banana
• 1 tablespoon of raw cacao powder
• 1 pitted medjool date or 1 tablespoon of raw honey
• 1 teaspoon of raw cacao nibs or organic coconut chips (optional)

Method:

1. Add all of the ingredients into a vitamix or blender
2. Blend until smooth (add extra milk if needed for desired consistency)
3. Pour into a tall glass or mason jar
4. Sprinkle with cacao nibs or coconut chips.  Enjoy!

Health Benefits Of These Ingredients

• Fresh Spinach: Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and fibre, spinach is a nutritional powerhouse. It supports healthy digestion, promotes radiant skin, strengthens bones, and boosts immunity.
• Bananas: Rich in potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, bananas contribute to healthy blood pressure levels, aid in digestion, and provide sustained energy. They also add natural texture and bulk to all great smoothie recipes.
• Frozen Strawberries and Blueberries: These vibrant berries are loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C, and fibre. They help fight inflammation, support brain health, and provide a natural sweetness while adding a refreshing taste.
• Almond Milk: A dairy-free alternative, almond milk is low in calories and rich in vitamin E. It provides a creamy base for the smoothie while offering essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D.
• Coconut Milk: Another dairy-free alternative, coconut milk is rich in fibre and contains various vitamins such as C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6, and minerals of iron, selenium, sodium, calcium and magnesium.  Also, coconut milk is lactose-free and loaded with healthy fats and lauric acid.
• Medjool Dates: Packed with potassium and B vitamins, medjool dates are the perfect natural sweetener that manage metabolic processes that convert food into energy, helping your body to fight fatigue.
• Cacao:  A true superfood, raw cacao is rich in antioxidants, iron, magnesium and calcium and is a wonderful natural mood boosting food.

The Main Take Away

Raw homemade smoothies are a wonderful way to pack a significant amount of nutrition into a delicious meal in a glass.

Enjoy a raw smoothie for breakfast, as a light & easy lunch, post-workout snack, or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up to help you feel energised, satisfied and ready to tackle your day!

Whether you choose to enjoy one our suggested recipes here or to experiment with your own, the best thing about smoothies is that you really can't go wrong so long as you have a few staple ingredients on hand. 

Next time you shop, stock up on some of these basic ingredients which all have a relatively long shelf life.  Then, be sure to incorporate a few smoothies per week into your eating plan, either on those days when you're short on time, or as a way to give your body a wonderful nutrient boost whenever you feel the need.

Tolman Self Care.