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I enjoy preparing smoothies for both myself and my children. They are a wonderful method to ensure that everyone is consuming sufficient fruits and vegetables, and they serve as a great option for a quick breakfast or a snack. You can whip up these tasty smoothies anytime, as all the ingredients are available in supermarkets throughout the year, and using frozen fruit is completely acceptable (and sometimes even preferable). Below are three of my top smoothie recipes that are loved by the entire family.
I often pondered why my smoothies lacked the flavor and consistency of those I enjoyed at the juice bar. I discovered that the type of blender plays a crucial role. A high-performance blender can thoroughly blend your ingredients in a way that a budget-friendly department store blender simply cannot achieve.
A few years ago I invested in a Blendtec Classic Series blender and it's changed my smoothie-making life for the better and become one of my favorite kitchen tools. You can get one starting at $325 at Amazon and other retailers. We considered a Vitamix blender, too, but liked the sleek look and compact size of the Blendtec unit better.
My children enjoy using the Blendtec to whip up their own smoothies using fresh fruits and vegetables from the farmer's market. They simply load it up and press the "smoothie" button, and it’s done! I appreciate that the Blendtec features a dull blade, which means no more risk of cutting my fingers while cleaning the blender jar. Plus, it utilizes the strength of the motor to blend everything smoothly.
For each of these recipes, simply add all the ingredients into your blender jar and select the "smoothie" option. It's that easy! Each recipe yields about two eight-ounce servings of smoothies.
Pineapple Coconut Banana Blend
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This tropical smoothie is a hit with our kids. While fresh pineapple works well, using frozen pineapple is more convenient and enhances the smoothie’s texture, eliminating the need for ice to achieve that refreshing chill. You can also slice and freeze bananas to use in this recipe and others featured in this article.
- 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
- 3/4 cup low-fat coconut milk (canned is fine)
- 1 ripe banana, cut up
Morning Glow Kale Smoothie
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This one is my top choice! I adore the vibrant green hue and the delightful sweetness from the pineapple and mango that balance out the bitterness of the kale. I typically grab whichever variety of kale I find at the farm or farmer's market; both dinosaur kale and curly kale are excellent options.
- 1 cup kale, cut or torn into pieces
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 ripe banana, cut up
- 3/4 cup coconut water
Strawberry, Banana & Vanilla Smoothie
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This smoothie incorporates Greek yogurt to achieve a creamy consistency and add a boost of protein. If you find plain yogurt too tangy, feel free to substitute it with sweetened vanilla Greek yogurt, and simply skip the vanilla extract.
- 1 cup frozen or fresh strawberries
- 1/2 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 banana, cut up
- 1/2 cup of ice (omit if using frozen strawberries)
- 1/2 cup coconut water
