My love of smoothies is, admittedly, a recent discovery. I never enjoyed them when I was younger. You couldn’t put one in front of me that I would drink and I absolutely detested any with fresh fruit in it. So, what’s changed? Well, aside from having a couple of beautiful babies since, which has seemingly altered my taste buds, I have had a few health scares lately that has prompted me to really take my health and what I consume into serious consideration.
I’m not afraid to admit that I used to be the office warrior. I would get up in the morning and spend so much time on my outfit and hair that I would completely skip breakfast and just drink coffee until lunch (sometimes also skipping lunch altogether). Looking back, I’m not sure how I functioned. Today, I’ve swapped the high heels for comfortable sneakers and my 9 – 5 looks much different, filled with housework, diaper changes, meal planning and racing to hockey practice. I still don’t always have the time to prepare a proper breakfast (see my post 3 Quick & Healthy Breakfast Ideas), but I have discovered the greatness of smoothies and how easy they are to make.
Step 1 – The Base
When making a smoothie, it’s important to use a base that compliments the other flavours you’re going to choose and there are a few solid options to choose from. I personally like to use a high milk fat Greek Yogurt, Like Olympic Krema Plain Yogurt, but I’ve lately been swapping the thick and creamy yogurts for lighter, lower milk fat alternatives, such as Liberte Greek Vanilla yogurt with only 3% milk fat. Whatever you choose, make sure that it’s a flavour that will pair well with the other flavours in your smoothie, like using a coconut yogurt with frozen pineapple for a Pina Colada, or a cappuccino yogurt with bananas and chocolate flavoured protein powered for a Chunky Monkey.
For a single serving, I recommend using ¾ Cup yogurt.
Step 2 – The Milk
There are so many options on how you want to thin your smoothie. I personally use 3.25% whole milk (commonly labeled as Homo milk in Canada) to dilute mine, because that’s what we have in our house, but I love switching it up with a vanilla almond beverage such as Silk Vanilla Almond or, my new favourite, Earth’s Own Oat – made right here in Canada!
For a single serving, I recommend using ¼ – ½ C Milk or Plant-Based Beverage
Step 3 – The Good Stuff
This is my favourite part – adding in all the fresh or frozen fruit to make it your personal drink. You’re now your own smoothie barista – your blender, the canvas! Will you go with a classic strawberry banana? Or perhaps you will be more adventurous and try Avocado, Pineapple and Spinach? It’s really a choose-your-own-adventure type of drink!
Combining different flavours is a fun way to make breakfast less of a chore and more of an exciting part of your day. But, if you’re stuck for ideas, here are a few suggestions to get you started:
THE CLASSIC – STRAWBERRY BANANA
¾ C Plain or Vanilla Yogurt
¼ C Milk
1 Banana
½ C Fresh or Frozen Strawberries
THE PINA COLADA
¾ C Coconut Yogurt
¼ C Milk
¾ C Frozen Pineapple
THE GREEN GODDESS
¾ C Plain or Vanilla Yogurt
¼ C Vanilla Oat Beverage
½ Avocado
A handful of fresh spinach
1 – 2 Kiwis, peeled
Optional Addons
Consider adding 1 tbsp of chia seeds or flaxseed for extra fiber or your favourite protein or whey powder to for an energy boost in the morning!
Smoothies have truly become a staple in our house – whether it’s a breakfast on the go or a midday energy boost. They’re simple, versatile and packed with nutrition. If you’re like me and were once hesitant to make smoothies at home, I hope this beginner’s guide gives you the confidence to start. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavours – you might just discover a new favourite. Happy blending!
