Throughout this last year smoothies have been my go-to food source, I drink at least one smoothie a day, sometimes two. I pack so much healthy goodness into a glass with the help of my 25 year old Oster Galaxie that my body loves me and I feel uber virtuous.
BASIC SMOOTHIE:
Fill blender container with Organic Baby Spinach, then add 8 oz of 100%, no sugar added, organic juice (I often use a blend of black cherry and cranberry or tart cherry). Blend on high until pureed and a smooth green. Add a goodly amount of a good protein powder, about 20 grams of protein, I use vegan brown rice protein powder and hemp powder, both organic. Blend until smooth. Add one ripe banana, blend until smooth, and drink it down! Sometimes I add a raw egg, if I want some animal protein. Another great addition is half a ripe avocado, which makes it thick and creamy, as well as adds some good fat. That's as simple and easy as it can get. Lots of good nutrition, easily digestible, several servings of fruits and veggies, plus protein.
I like to drink this late in the evening, since I know my body needs a good boost of protein, vitamins, and micronutrients for optimal muscle recovery while I sleep.
The smoothie is one of the most versatile foods an athlete can rely on. The variety is endless. Berries (fresh or frozen), whey protein (not for me though, I can't do dairy anymore), different plant based milk (almond, soy, coconut), your choice of juice (always aim for 100% juice, no sugar added, organic if possible). You can experiment with different greens, beet greens are mild and nutritious. I know a lot of people who use Swiss chard and kale, but they have a pretty intense flavor so consider using strong flavored fruits and juices with them.
I prefer smoothies over juicing since you get all the fiber, and none of the waste of juicing. All you need for smoothies is a good, stout blender, a little creativity, and a desire to treat your body to easily accessible nutrition.
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