Smoothie Basics

Here is blogger Lauren with some more info on the basics of making smoothies with fruits and vegetables from Space Girl Organics:

Smoothies are great in so many different ways. They are the perfect on-the-go meal.  You can drink one while on your way to work, school, or running errands. You can customize each smoothie depending on your mood, nutritional needs, and available ingredients. Not to mention, they are perfect on a hot-summer day here in the Sunshine State!

Basic Smoothie:
Banana
Strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries  (I prefer frozen, so that I don’t have to use ice)
Coconut water, filtered water, almond milk, fruit juice, or iced green tea.
4-5 ice cubes (unless using frozen fruit)

Add-ons:
Hemp seeds add a nice protein kick to your smoothie
Chia seeds add healthy Omega oils and keep you full
Sambazon smoothie packs, contain acai berry, full of antioxidants and energy
B-complex powder (from splitting open a capsule)
Ginseng
Honey, for sweetness (especially when using water or green tea)
Greens! A handful of spinach or kale will boost the nutritional benefits of your smoothie.
Wheatgrass
Coconut meat
Greek yogurt, added protein boost
Oats will also help keep you full

Any other fruit you like: pineapple, mangos, pears, apples, peaches, etc.

You can also store any leftover smoothies in the freezer or fridge (I prefer the freezer) for up to 3 days.  You just have to shake it up when your ready to drink it.   It is important to use an airtight container, such as a mason jar.  If you are freezing it, leave some room at the top of the jar for expansion.

The beautiful thing about juice and smoothies is that the recipes are flexible. You can make substitutions depending on your preferences and what you have available in your kitchen. I strongly encourage you to experiment with proportions and ingredients to discover your favorites to ultimately keep you motivated and satisfied on your juice/smoothie journey!

Here is a great link explaining how you can make green juice using a blender: http://www.choosingraw.com/how-to-make-green-juice-using-a-vitamix-or-blender/

Dr. Oz also has some great smoothie recipes on his website. Here is a link to a 3-day smoothie detox by him, I really like the recipes and the easy–to-print-and-post-on-your-fridge sheet:  http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-ozs-3-day-detox-cleanse-one-sheet