Goodbye to the season of indulgence. Hello to the season of cleaning up your diet and getting back on track.
Halloween starts it off with all the candy, then the month long lead-up to Thanksgiving, another month long eating-fest of Christmas cookies, fudge, and cheese dips, with adult beverages for New Years. Whoa.
I think most of us are ready to lighten up, healthify, and get back into those skinny jeans, or at least try to, in January.
Tis the season for resolutions and if you’ve made any, this smoothie is a great way to keep them.
It’s very filling, satisfying, naturally vegan and gluten-free, with no added sugar, salt, or stuff you don’t want.
It’s made with sweet mixed berries and a banana for creaminess. I use frozen fruit so I don’t have to add ice. Plus it’s cheaper and available year-round since January isn’t known as berry season.
I used a heaping handful of fresh spinach and while I can’t taste it (I drink an all-green, very intense green juice daily and am immune to green), my 8 year old daughter said she could taste it but ‘not that much’. The berries trump the green taste.
If you’re trying to work in or sneak in more greens, this is an easy way. Sometimes I use frozen spinach if that’s what I have.
I rounded it out with skinny creamy unsweetened cashew milk and Vega One All-in-One Nutritional Shake. With everything you need all in one, delicious scoop, Vega One gives you:
- 20 grams premium plant-based protein
- 6 servings of greens
- 50% daily intake of food-based vitamins and minerals
- 25% DV fiber
- 1.5 grams of Omega-3s
- Antioxidants
- Probiotics (1 billion CFU)
- Only 160 calories. (French Vanilla)
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Berry Greens Vanilla Smoothie
Ingredients
- about 1 1/4 cups mixed berries, I use Trader Joe’s Berry Medley which includes strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries
- about 1 1/4 cups fresh spinach, loosely laid in measuring cup (frozen may be substituted)
- 1 small ripe banana, peeled (previously frozen in chunks is ideal)
- 1 scoop Vega One All-in-One Nutritional Shake (use this link
- about 1/2 cup unsweetened cashew milk
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the canister of a blender or food processor in the order listed. Blend on high power until texture is as smooth as desired. Serve immediately. Smoothie is best when freshly made, however sometimes I made a double batch and place half the batch in a freezer-safe (plastic) glass for later. Smoothie will keep in the freezer for up to 1 month; allow to thaw at room temp for about 45 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Post is brought to you by Vega. The recipe, images, text, and opinions expressed are my own.
I love how you say you’re immune to green! I need to work up to that… I think I’m more on the level of your daughter: I can taste spinach, but I don’t mind much. One more goal to work towards in 2015! That and a couple less cookies every night. ;)
This looks so yummy. Can the plant-based protein powder be soy protein? What else do you suggest?
Yes you can use whatever protein powder you prefer. Or omit if you don’t care to use it.
This looks amazing, Averie! I so need some healthy recipes after the holidays. Yummm! Pinned!
Thanks for pinning!
In Smoothie Heaven.
Yum!
Thanks, Trevor :)
this looks fabulous – I’m such a fan of smoothies! yum!!
I love your idea of using fruit that is already frozen = no ice!
Amen to that and hope you’re doing great! :)
I’m all about the smoothie right now! 1 up on on the blog Monday and 1 more ready for tomorrow.
You just can’t beat their creamy goodness! Love the combo of vanilla with berries. Mmm… Pretty!
Happy Thursday Averie.
Averie, you rock! Love all of your smoothie ideas and this one is no exception.
This would be perfect right now as I’m still trying to decide what to have for breakfast.
I’ve been drinking a strawberry-kale smoothie every morning this week. It’s easy to make and carry to work. I hate kale, but I have a little left from my garden, and the strawberries and vanilla protein powder mask it nicely. If I don’t add *too* much. It looks a little grungy colored, but luckily I don’t care about what my food looks like. :D
The issue with adding greens yes, for sure, is that they can turn things kind of murky and grungy colored. The only time it doesn’t happen if if I use all greens with like pineapple (which I know you can’t) and then it turns super bright neon green :)
Thanks for the 20% off link–I’ve seen Vega and have been interested in trying it. I also need to stock up on some more cashew milk–love that stuff!! I’ll have to try this smoothie while sitting by the fire. It’s way below zero now with wind chill but it’s supposed to “warm up” this weekend–27 degrees will have never felt so good!
I know it’s so hard for smoothies this time of year in many places in the country…just too cold! Well I hope it warms up for you and I’m glad the link will come in handy :)
Morning smoothies have been my breakfast for months now but I need to try new versions, like this one. And I really need that mix – extra protein and veggies always helps!
Any way you can work them in is always good so that when we’re taste-testing cookies later on you don’t feel so bad :)
I love morning smoothies, or post workout smoothies. And I love adding greens too! I’ll have to check out that Vega, haven’t seen that before!!
You are a brave one for drinking smoothies this time of year in Chicago! I think I would turn into an icicle :)
This smoothie looks fantastic, Averie! I could almost reach right through the screen and taste this. I love the addition of cashew milk and protein powder. Such a pretty color and so flavorful!
Those look delicious! I have a slight addiction to all things blenderized. Do you happen to know of anything that could be substituted in place of the protein powder? I don’t use protein powder, but I can’t resist these smoothies!
You could just omit it.
berries are good as masking green tastes! I love berries with everything
I love this smoothie Averie, and although I didn’t make an official resolution, I totally need to get back on track. This looks like a perfect breakfast for me. Pinning ;) Thank you!
Thanks for pinning!