Weight-Loss Smoothies: Spinach and Avocado
Half an avocado per serving makes this smoothie totally worthy as a meal replacement. To make it even more filling (and flavorful), Cassie Johnston—whose new cookbook Chia, Quinoa, Kale, Oh My! is out now—adds peanut butter.
1 avocado, pitted
1 cup fresh spinach
1 large ripe banana
1 tablespoon natural peanut butter
1 cup milk
Handful of ice cubes
Blend all ingredients in a blender on high speed until very smooth.
1 large ripe banana, frozen
1 cup plain, low-fat Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons honey
1/3 cup unsweetened nut, soy, or cow's milk
Handful of ice cubes
Graham cracker crumbs, crushed, for garnish
Combine banana, yogurt, vanilla, honey, milk, and ice in a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top before serving.
1 cup unsweetened nut, soy, or cow's milk
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups pitted, halved cherries
1 medium-size ripe banana
4 to 5 ice cubes
Combine ingredients in the order listed in a blender. Blend on high speed until everything is smooth.
Makes 1 serving
1/2 cup almond, hemp seed, or coconut milk
1/2 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup blackberries, fresh or frozen
2–3 Medjool dates
Blend all ingredients in order listed until smooth.
Makes 1 serving
1 cup almond or hemp seed milk
1 cup fresh or frozen peaches
1/2 cup fresh pineapple juice
1/2 frozen banana
1 teaspoon coconut oil
Blend all ingredients in order listed until smooth.
Makes 1 serving
1/2 banana, chopped and frozen
1/4 ripe avocado, pitted
1 small handful spinach
1 handful frozen berries
1 1/2 teaspoons shelled hemp seeds
1/4 teaspoon wheatgrass powder
1/4 cucumber, chopped
1 tablespoon raw cacao nibs
Scant 1 cup coconut water or water, plus extra if needed
Chop banana and place in a freezer bag. Seal and freeze overnight until solid. Put banana in blender with remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding a little more water if necessary.
Makes 1 serving
1 small handful blueberries, fresh or frozen
3 strawberries, stalks discarded, chopped
2 teaspoons shelled hemp seeds
1 teaspoon acai berry powder
1 tablespoon goji berries
1/4 teaspoon gingko powder
1/2 teaspoon flaxseed oil
1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
1/4 ripe avocado, peeled and chopped
Scant 1/2 cup pomegranate juice, coconut water, or green tea
Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
Makes 2 servings
1 1/2 cups purified water
1 cup fresh or frozen mango, pitted, cut into chunks
2 medium or 3 small frozen bananas, cut into 1-inch chunks
1/4 cup raw hulled hemp seeds
2 tablespoons raw almond butter
1 tablespoon raw honey
1 teaspoon natural vanilla
Put water, mango, bananas, hemp seeds, almond butter, honey, vanilla, and salt in a blender and blend on high until very smooth and silky, 60 to 90 seconds.
Excerpted from Raw Energy in a Glass by Stephanie Tourles, used with permission from Storey Publishing