4 Power Packed Smoothie Ideas

Smoothies are one sure shot way to amp up your nutrient intake by combining the goodness of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and much more. No wonder smoothies are enormously loved and enjoyed by all of us, whether as a mood booster, on-the-go drink or as a wholesome meal- smoothies are nutrient dense, versatile and oh, so yummy! 

Pro Tip: Use seasonal and fresh produce in your smoothies to make them even healthy and flavorful. 

But before we spill the details of four delectable smoothie ideas, you must wash your raw ingredients thoroughly and safely prior to blending. And, don’t ever consider using vinegar or soda to wash your fruits and vegetables as it strips away essential nutrients & alter the taste of your veggies & fruits. Using a safe & natural solution like Marico’s Veggie Clean is an excellent way to get rid of those pesky germs & pesticides from the fruits and vegetables with 100% safety. Marico’s Veggie Clean is free of chlorine, soap, alcohol and any other chemical that you would not want anywhere near your fresh produce. Simple to use, you just need to mix ½ a capful of Veggie Clean in 1 litre of water, soak for 5 mins and then rub & rinse under running water. Marico’s Veggie Clean has been certified by Indian & International bodies as safe and toxic-free. A small bottle of Veggie Clean from Marico goes a long way as it provides 40 washes in just INR 99.

Now that your fresh produce are well taken care of, read on to stumble upon your favourite smoothie recipe.

• Lean Green Smoothie:

Green smoothies are the best when they’re served fresh, straight from the blender. This lean and green smoothie boosts the immune system, athletic endurance and blood circulation.

Ingredients:

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

8-10 spinach leaves

1 medium banana frozen

1 teaspoon flax seeds

Process:

Pulse them all together in a blender and enjoy!

• Apple-Lime smoothie:

It is a super refreshing smoothie, especially on a hot, humid day. Apple- enables smoother digestion, reduces cholesterol, strengthens immunity and boosts the brain power.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of chopped Apple
• Zest of the lime
• Grated ginger
• Ground cardamom buds
• ½ cup water
• 1 teaspoon lime juice 

Process:

Blend them all together and consume immediately to refrain contents from separating.

• Very Berry smoothie:

The rich flavours of berries are cherished by all. They are rich in antioxidants that help in fighting free radicals in the body, hence, keeping inflammation at bay.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup blueberries
• ¼ cup strawberries
• ½ banana
• ⅛ tsp cardamom powder
• 1 cup water

Process:

Blend them all together, and enjoy the blasting treat of berries. 

• Avocado & Kale Smoothie:

The good fats and vitamin C in avocado mixed with antioxidants and vitamin K of kale and cacao nibs- is all that you need to fight cholesterol and add a little glow to your skin.

Ingredients:

• ½ of an avocado
• ¼  cup kale
• 1 teaspoon cacao nibs (to garnish)
• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• ½ cup vanilla almond milk

Process:

Blend all the ingredients together and sprinkle some more cacao nibs on top. Voilà, creamy flavourful smoothie at your convenience. 

Over to you

Making a smoothie is an act of mindfulness. You need to think about what ingredients would not only please your taste buds, but also please the gut and overall health. 

Do not forget to add condiments as they offer some hearty nutrients and create taste. 

A chilled glass of smoothie though, can be a perfect pick-me-up. But remember to make it in the earlier hours of the day, so that you get maximum benefits out of it.