reading time: 4 min
A great smoothie is not only delicious, but also healthy, containing valuable vitamins and minerals from the fruits and vegetables used, and easy to make. However, most people – me included – usually only drink smoothies during the summer time when you need something light, fresh and cooling.
Today I want to show you four ways to enjoy your smoothies during the cold months as well!
Especially when it's cold and uncomfortable outside, a delicious and nutritious winter smoothie is exactly what we need. I have found that there are three ways to "winterize" your smoothies:
1) use warm liquids such as warmed up milk, coffee, or water, especially when adding frozen ingredients to your smoothie
2) use warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, turmeric, and chili
3) use anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich ingredients such as turmeric, ginger, citrus fruits, leafy greens, and almonds that will boost your immune system
4) use dense, nourishing ingredients such as nuts or nut butters (for fatty acids and protein), bananas, (nut) milk, and leafy greens (for secondary plant compounds, antioxidants, vitamins and fibre) to keep you full and grounded
All of the following recipes meet at least three, if not all four criteria for a warming winter smoothie!
My personal favourites would have to be no. 3 and 4, but all of them are amazing ☺️
*
THICC 'N SPICY COCOA SMOOTHIE
Preparation time: 5 mins
Main ingredients: banana, oat milk, cocoa
difficulty level: easy
serves: 1
suitable for: vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, yeast-free
1 cup oat milk (or sub almond milk or soy milk)
2 ripe bananas
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 thin slice of fresh ginger, peeled
1 tsp orange zest
4 cardamom seeds
1/2 tsp vanilla essence (or sub 1 scoop vegan vanilla protein powder; you might need to add some more liquid then)
2 tbsp homemade meadowsweet cordial (or sub maple syrup or raw honey)
1 tsp flaxseed (or sub chia seeds)
2 tbsp rolled oats
a handful of hazelnuts or walnuts (or both)
pinch of mineral salt
pinch of freshly cracked black pepper
(optional) 1/2 tsp each of maca, ashwagandha, and reishi powder (these adaptogens have a bitter taste, so you may need to add some more sweetener when using these)
In a small saucepan, bring oat milk to a simmer. Remove from heat.
Combine all ingredients – including the warm milk – in a high-speed blender, and blend until smooth and creamy. If you prefer a less thick consistency, add more warm milk or a splash of hot water.
GIMME SOME GOLDEN MILK SMOOTHIE
Preparation time: 5 mins
Main ingredients: almond milk, coconut milk, turmeric, mango
difficulty level: easy
serves: 2
suitable for: vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, yeast-free
1 cup almond milk (or just add 1 cup of warm filtered water and 1/2 cup of raw, unsalted almonds to the blender that have been soaked and drained beforehand)
1/4 cup light coconut milk
warm filtered water, if needed
1 cup mango chunks, fresh or frozen
1 orange, peeled
1 small carrot
1 tbsp almond butter
1-inch knob of fresh ginger, peeled
1/2 tsp ground turmeric OR 1-inch knob peeled and grated fresh turmeric
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp freshly cracked black pepper or ground pepper
pinch of mineral salt
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
In a small saucepan, bring almond milk and coconut milk to a simmer. Remove from heat.
Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender, and blend until smooth and creamy. If you prefer a less thick consistency, add more (warm) milk.
Preparation time: 5 mins
Main ingredients: kale, apple, apple juice
difficulty level: easy
serves: 2
suitable for: vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, yeast-free, low-fat
3/4 cups apple juice or pear juice
2 oranges, peeled
1 cup kale, frozen (or sub 2 large kale leaves, stems removed)
a handful of baby spinach
2 green apples, cored and quartered
1-inch knob of fresh ginger, peeled
1 tbsp peanut butter (or sub almond butter)
1 tbsp flax seeds or chia seeds
1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp raw honey, maple syrup or homemade meadowsweet cordial
(optional) 1 tsp barley grass or wheatgrass powder
(optional) 1/2 tsp spirulina powder
to garnish:
hemp seeds
Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender. Turn it on low, then slowly increase the speed to high. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
Preparation time: 3 mins
Main ingredients: oat milk, coffee, cashews
difficulty level: easy
serves: 1
suitable for: vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, yeast-free
3/4 cup barista-style oat milk (or sub almond milk or barista soy milk)
1 ripe banana (or 1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled; in that case you may need to add some more sweetener)
1/4 cup raw, unsalted cashews
2 tbsp carob powder (or 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder)
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
a dash of cayenne pepper or chili powder
pinch of mineral salt
pinch of freshly cracked black pepper
1/4 cup freshly brewed coffee (OR use 1 cup of barista oat milk + 1 to 2 tsp instant coffee instead)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
(optional) 1 tsp raw honey or maple syrup
(optional) 1 tbsp cacao butter, melted
(optional) 1/2 tsp maca powder
In a small saucepan, bring barista-style oat milk to a simmer. If using cacao butter, I suggest adding it to the milk to melt.
Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender, and blend until smooth and creamy. If you prefer a thicker consistency, add a tablespoon of rolled oats.
This last smoothie is more of a light breakfast – for the kind of people that can function on nothing but a coffee and a granola bar, or something. Double the recipe if you need a more filling breakfast.
 |
| Golden Hot Chocolate (vegan) |
0 Comments