For today’s #FreshFoodsFriday, we did some research to bring you all the info on what makes a good smoothie – in honor of National Smoothie Day on June 21. Here’s what we’ve learned.
Base
Each smoothie starts with a base. This can be yogurt, fruit, veggies, or even something like oats or chia seeds. These can be mixed and matched, but you’ll want about half of your smoothie concoction to be made up of a base or variety of bases.
Liquid
The consistency of smoothie you prefer will determine the amount of liquid. For a thinner smoothie, add more liquid, and for thicker, add less. Some examples of potential liquids to add are water, milk, non-dairy milk (like coconut, almond, soy, or oat), or orange juice.
Frozen
This is the part that really gives your smoothie the consistency. You can use ice, frozen fruit, or even frozen juices. The frozen and liquid parts of your smoothie will make up the second half, and will together determine whether your smoothie is closer to sludge or soup!
Toppings
Whether you add them to the top or not, you can always add toppings to round-out your smoothie and its flavor. This could be coconut flakes, honey, chocolate chips, chia seeds, granola, or something else! Its a great opportunity to experiement and add the perfect little flourish to finish off your drink.
To get you started,
Here’s Alexis’s favorite smoothie recipe.
1.5 parts vanilla greek yogurt
1.5 parts frozen berry mix (usually strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries)
.5 parts orange juice
.5 parts non-dairy milk (usually almond or oat milk)
Blend until smooth, and enjoy! On days when you need a little extra pick-me-up, add some honey or agave to the top!