My smoothie evolution

I first encountered Green Smoothies about six months ago. Up until then, I knew smoothies to be milk-based drinks, usually with banana or maybe strawberries, honey, yoghurt and that was about it!

But spinach???? Really???

I have come a long way since that first time I experimented by adding a few leaves into my fruit smoothie and was amazed I couldn't taste anything different. So I began adding more and more extra stuff, as I learned through blogs and websites of the endless possibilities.

Today, my smoothies are a densely-packed burst of nutrition at the start of the day, often sustaining me beyond lunchtime and are my go-to breakfast most days of the week.

I have been asked what recipes I use and, to be honest, I don't really! It is more of a process, drawing on a range of ingredients I keep at the ready. So, here is my "smoothie wardrobe":

In the freezer:
Fruit - mostly bought fresh and frozen by me, plus berries purchased already frozen - including: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, bananas, apricots ...

In the fridge:
baby spinach leaves, lettuce, organic yoghurt, flax seed oil, walnut or almond oil, green tea, juice, LSA and flaxseed meal

In the fruit bowl:
Bananas (when not affected by cyclones!), apples, pears, avocado, oranges, grapes, stone fruit and more!

In the cupboard:
walnuts, cashews, almonds, chia seeds, manuka honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, vanilla extract, raw cacoa

From these, I simply fill my blender to the top, add water (or green tea/juice) and whizz away!

I drink one 500ml glass for breakfast, mostly while I check my email and social media, sometimes as I drive to work. The other half either comes to work with me or goes into the fridge at home - it is the perfect afternoon hit of sweet energy and lasts several hours without drama. I have even frozen the second half and defrosted it successfully.

No two smoothies are ever the same but they always taste wonderful and give me a huge burst of energy. There is nothing like knowing you have achieved most of your recommended dietary intake at breakfast! The rest of the day is a bonus :)

Then, there are my lunches ...