Select your smoothie! Energy boosting recipes for morning, noon and night at Her Active Life

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Select your smoothie! Energy boosting recipes for morning, noon and night

Posted May 10, 2007 at 03:00 PM by Katie Drummond

Section: Her Health, Her Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Recipes

When the warm sunshine of spring hits, we’re often tempted to trade our mugs of tea for cool, refreshing beverages. Unfortunately, many popular treats, from decadent iced mocha lattes to bottled juice and soda, are filled with refined sugar and preservatives. Instead of shelling out big bucks for less healthy store-bought treats, why not do it yourself with these healthy smoothie recipes for every occasion? Consider these recipes your starter’s guide to smoothies, and get creative with whatever ingredients you have on hand.

Before Your Workout

You want to power up, but not fill up. This healthy mix of carbohydrates and protein will keep your motor running without the heavy feeling you get from a big, rich meal or starchy snack.

½ banana
2 Tbsp protein powder
1 Cup soymilk
¾ Cup frozen berries
Sweetener to taste

On the Balcony

The smell of freshly cut grass and the sun on your face can only mean one thing: Spring has arrived! Celebrate after work with this fruity combination, which boasts soy isoflavones and a powerful punch of vitamin C. Adding a dash of coconut milk or extract will give your smoothie even more of a tropical flavor.

½ cup soft or silken tofu
4-6 strawberries
1 cup tropical fruit juice
1 banana
½ cup pineapple juice
¼ cup pineapple

For Breakfast

Spirulina is a microalgae loaded with B12, iron and protein. Look for it in health food stores. Filling your glass with this combination of healthy fat, protein and fiber will keep you going strong all morning.

1 cup soymilk
1 cup fresh or frozen berries
½ banana
1 tbsp flax oil
1 tbsp nut butter

A Drinkable Dessert

This smoothie tastes like a guilty pleasure and sneaks in the omega fatty acids and fiber found in flax meal at the same time! A delicious and sensible way to indulge your sweet tooth.

1.5 Cups vanilla or chocolate soymilk
2 1/2 Tbsp cocoa powder or chocolate syrup
1 banana
2 Tbsp smooth peanut butter
1 Tbsp flax meal

Get Your Greens

Aiming for five servings of vegetables a day is a healthy – and challenging – goal for anyone on the go. Sneaking some veggies into a smoothie is a great trick, and spinach is an ideal source of countless nutrients, including vitamin K, folate and antioxidants.