November 1, 2017
Lately I have been getting ready at home more, rather than getting ready at the gym. Now that I live in a new area, I have been able to duck home and get ready before heading off to work, which means I can be a little more creative with my breakfast! I’ve been experimenting with smoothies since I’ve been back from Italy, and now I am having them every morning as my breakfast on the way to work!
What I love about smoothies is that you can literally chuck anything in, blend and go! It is so easy to have them on the way to work, and all you need is a bit of prep time in the morning to get you going. They are also a really easy and delicious way to get your intake of veggies and fruit right from the get go.
I’ve been enjoying making green smoothies, much to my partners distaste. He is more of a classic banana and peanut butter guy, which I am very partial to on the weekends, but I wanted more vegetables for the weekdays in my smoothies. So I’ve been experimenting with what I put in them, and now I think I’ve got the one I am really happy with, so I decided that this week I would share it with you all. I find sometimes the recipes for smoothies on the internet can be a bit convoluted with a million random powders that I don’t have on hand. Even though my smoothie has a couple of those, it is mostly stuff I buy at the markets each week, and so is pretty easy to replicate.
I’ve been loving having this smoothie every morning, I feel so much more energised and ready for my day with a hit of vitamins on my way to work!
- 1 handful baby spinach leaves
- 1 handful kale leaves, stripped off stems
- 1/2 cucumber, roughly chopped
- 1/2 banana
- 1 handful blueberries
- 5-6 raspberries
- 1/2 mango cheek
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- 1/2 tsp matcha green tea powder
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1 handful ice
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In a blender, combine all the ingredients, topping up with coconut water at the end.
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Blend on a high speed a couple of times, until the kale has completely blended. I usually do about 3 times to get a smooth consistency. If you need to add more coconut water to get the ingredients blended, do so.
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Serve immediately in a glass.
The best thing about this recipe is that you basically can’t do anything wrong. Sometimes I’ll put a bit too much matcha powder in, or too little fruit, but it is all a process of refinement, and I find I always still enjoy it. It is also a really easy recipe to make substitutes to: if you don’t have mangoes, put some more berries in, or add strawberries or apple instead! I’ve just put this one as it is my favourite one I’ve done so far, and so if I was you I would use it as a starting point and refine to your own tastes as you go!
Honestly, for such an easy recipe, the smoothie is absolutely delicious. I also love how much more energy I’ve had since swapping my breakfast for a green smoothie. I used to think it was all talk about the benefits of green smoothies, but I do actually feel a difference when I have it to start my day. I also find I don’t really notice the greens in there as there are so many flavours playing out in it. The fruit is well balanced and means that the sweetness isn’t overpowering, it just complements the greens.
I didn’t think this would keep me very full, but I was pleasantly surprised! I think it is a mixture of the banana and chia seeds that really does it, those chia seeds especially! I find I am not getting hungry at all until lunch time, which is amazing given I’m having liquid for breakfast. But all those greens and fruits definitely fill you up with the good stuff!
I love how simple this is as a breakfast option! You could even get your ingredients together at the start of the week so you have them ready to go, although I am not that organised I have to say! What I do like though is that while the smoothie is blending you are free to do other things while you wait, and then it is really easy to grab and go, rather than having to sit down and eat something.
What is your go to smoothie recipe? I have to say I never used to make them, but I am totally sold now!
Until next time, happy eating!
Ella xx
