5 STEPS TO A GREAT SMOOTHIE



Continuing my series on 'Fresh Breakfasts' and vegan recipes, today I'll share with you 5 steps to an amazingly delicious and nutritious smoothie plus a favourite smoothie recipe. 

1. Pack in the nutrients.  Packed with iron (kale and spinach), calcium (kale), potassium (bananas), omega-3 (chia seeds), anti-oxidants (berries) and more, this delicious smoothie keeps me energised and refreshed. 

2.  Add natural sweeteners: berries, bananas and raw maple syrup are my favourites.  In most smoothies, natural sweeteners 'cancel out' the taste of spinach and kale!

3. Commonly found is spinach, iron is best absorbed with vitamin C (found oranges, apples, berries, and more).  Pile in greens! Where there is spinach add a little citrus to enhance absorption of the iron.  

4.  Add water or almond milk to loosen the consistency of your smoothie - no yogurt or milk needed.  

5.  Chew your smoothie and top it with nuts, berries, bananas, apple slices or chia seeds to make it more 'chewable'.  For optimal digestion and absorption of nutrients, our food needs to be mixed with the saliva in our mouth and crushed with our teeth. 

And now, the smoothie recipe! 


b l e n d : 

2 cups loosely packed kale and/or spinach
2 ripe bananas
1/2 cup berries - frozen or fresh
squeeze of lemon (1-2tsp of lemon juice)
 water - add according to the consistency you want

... feel free to add apples, oranges, or whatever other fruit suit your fancy! 

t o p :

1 tbsp chia seeds
2 tbsp nuts (I love the soft crunch of walnuts)
berries of your choice - I used blueberries
1/2 of a sliced banana
optional: raw maple syrup



As my dad says, the bright green colour from the spinach and kale makes this smoothie look a little 'too green' but trust me it's gooood.  As in the photos above, I didn't add as much berries as in the original recipe above, hence it looking greener than usual.  Don't be surprised if your smoothie is slightly more red - especially if you add raspberries or strawberries.  Drizzling with maple syrup and adding toppings of my choice, I eat smoothies in a bowl with a spoon because I haven't yet found a cup big enough to fit them (suggestions anyone?!).

Enjoy!

What is your favourite breakfast?

xx

23 comments

  1. This looks DELICIOUS. I love smoothie bowls! Can I ask you what led you to become a vegan? I am considering trying it.

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    1. Hey Jana! Yes, it's *so* so delicious - definitely try it! I decided to go vegan after a whirlwind of inspirational books, research, statistics, facts, blogs, and people came into my life. I watched "Forks Over Knives" (get it out at your local library - soo worth the watch!) -- the statistics and research in the documentary sum up why I decided to go vegan. I also read vegan/plant-based blogs (Mango Island Mama & Deliciously Ella for example) and watched vegan youtube channels (FullyRawKristina, Essena Oneill, and more)... as well as watching Cowspiracy and TED talk on veganism. If you have any more questions I'd be more than happy to help. :) Thanks for commenting! Acacia xx

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    2. Thanks girl! I recently watched "Food Inc" documentary on netflix, next on the list is "Forks over Knives" :) I've been very interested in veganism for a long time, I just haven't taken the plunge yet. I'm slowly trying to transition.

      Thanks so much!

      -Jana

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    3. Yayy! So glad it helped. :) I forgot to mention a few books, but 'Becoming Vegan' (by Brenda Davis) and 'The China Study' are also wonderful books for transitioning to a vegan diet. Many go vegan overnight, but the slow transition you're making (in my opinion) is the best way to do it! I started by incorporating 1-2 vegan meals per day and by the end of a few weeks, I was eating fully plant-based/vegan. All the best! xx

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  2. OHMYWORD! This looks amazing; I will definitely give it a try! Surprisingly, since beginning my healthful-eating journey, I haven't made many smoothies! Yay for finding new recipes and trying new things!

    As far as favorite breakfasts go, I love oatmeal (made with almond milk) topped with dried fruit and honey.

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    1. Yayyy! So glad you like it! If you enjoy them, smoothies are essential for a healthful-eating journey - you can pack *so* many delicious nutrients inside! Oatmeal and almond milk topped with dried fruit and honey? Mhmm yess! Soo good. Thanks for stopping by! xxx

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  3. oh, my goodness gracious!! this looks SO SO SO good! excuse me while I promptly book a plane ticket to australia so we can blend smoothies together and take gorgeous photos of them in the morning light on a window sill. :) xx

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    1. YESS buying a plane ticket to Australia is a veryyy good idea. ;) Morning light, smoothie making, and photography sessions + a friend to photograph with = one of my favourite things to do ever. Thanks for stopping by! xx

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  4. YUM! That looks absolutely delectable! Been making smoothies pretty frequently over here, so I'll have to give this a go (mm, and I really need some chia seeds).

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    1. Mmhmm it is so good! Feel free to share any of your favourite smoothie recipes - I looove trying new smoothies! Thanks so much for stopping by. :) xxx

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  5. Hi! I saw your comment on my blog (Dew Light) and decided to check yours :D I loved this post! It had never occured to me to chew smoothies! Such a great idea. If you are looking for a bigger cup you could try the Mason Jars people is raving about :)
    I'm loving your blog! Definitely following :D
    xx,
    Dany

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    1. Hi Dany! Thanks so much for stopping by and I'm thrilled you love this blog post. :) I loved your blog, too! Much love xx

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  6. these look so so so awesome! thanks for sharing!

    xx the closet chronicle

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    1. You are so welcome! Thanks dropping by! xx

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  7. Thanks, Esha! Glad you stopped by. xx

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  8. Wow they look absolutely amazing. I am totally in love with your blog.
    Love xxx
    Fab Daisy 11

    ~ http://fabdaisy11.blogspot.com/
    ~ https://www.bloglovin.com/people/fabdaisy11-14154537
    ~ https://twitter.com/fabdaisy11

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  9. Thank you! You're too kind. :) xx

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  10. I love smoothies too. This looks very delicious. Awesome tips. I'll try this on weekends.

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  11. Those smoothies look so delicious! Nice post. Thank you for sharing.

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  12. Your smoothies looks so refreshing. Great post, Acacia!

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  13. The best nutritious smoothie I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing, dear!

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  14. I would love to drink this right now. Great post, dear.

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  15. Thank you so much for this! You make it look so easy and I wish I can do this well later! Nomnom.

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