Summer is officially here and what better way to celebrate than with fresh ideas and recipes that will give you that summer bliss. Whether you’re in summer school, working, traveling, or have the entire summer to relax, smoothies are always a good idea. They keep you full, energized, and happy. Here is one for each day of the week!
Monday
1 cup almond milk
½ cup cold coffee or coffee ice cubes
1 frozen banana
1 Tbsp. raw cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
1 Tbsp. peanut butter (optional)
1 Tbsp. of chia seeds
No one likes Mondays, but with this morning smoothie it might be a little easier to bear. Cacao powder is one of the highest plant-based sources of iron and magnesium so it’s a great ‘pick me up’ superfood. Since I started making this at home, it makes me excited to get up in the morning before work.
Tuesday
1 cup almond milk
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 frozen banana
1 Tbsp. of hemp hearts (or chia)
1 Tsp. raw honey (optional)
Dash of cinnamon
People really underestimate the brilliance of blueberries and bananas together. Since rediscovering this recipe, I use it all the time. Tuesday mornings are tough for me and it’s too early for tangy orange and mango smoothies. I need something soft and sweet and this always hits the spot. Plus, cinnamon helps boost your metabolism and helps control your blood sugar. Antioxidants, potassium, omega-3, and good proteins. Good choice!
Wednesday
1 cup of almond milk
½ cup of blueberries
½ cup raspberries
1 Tbsp. of raw honey
1 Tbsp. of protein powder
1 Tbsp. of flaxseed (or chia)
I used to work at Booster Juice and my absolute favorite recipe was their “Ripped Berry.” This is the recipe with a little protein enhancement. This smoothie is berrylicious and perfect for any time of day. Packed with protein and antioxidants, this smoothie is a winner. You’ll be amazed how good the honey tastes and will want to add it to everything.
Thursday
1 cup of organic passion fruit juice (or orange juice)
½ cup of mango
½ cup of strawberries
¼ cup of greek yogurt
1 Tsp. of camu camu powder
¼ cup of ice cubs
This recipe is a rip off of Booster Juice’s “Mango Hurricane” which, in my time working there, was the #1 fan favorite. The secret is their juice blend base. The mango hurricane has a “POJ” base made up of passionfruit and orange juice which gives it an especially tropical flavor. You might be wondering what the heck camu camu powder is? Well, it’s the highest source of vitamin C in the world, with over 80x more vitamin C than oranges. Just one tsp has 1180x your daily intake of vitamin C and it works wonders for your energy levels and immune system. This smoothie tastes like summer, and you’ll want to sip on this light and fruity drink all day long.
Friday
1 cup of coconut water
1.5 oz. of rum (of your choice)
½ cup of pineapple
¼ cup of ice cubes
Mint to garnish
Simple yet amazing. Pineapple and coconut taste like heaven when combined. It’s reminiscent of those days I spent in the Caribbean throwing back piña coladas. It tastes like summer in a cup and this party smoothie is perfect for Friday nights. Don’t like pineapple or rum? Try watermelon and vodka instead
Saturday
1 cup of water
⅛ cup of beets
¼ cup of raspberries or blueberries
¼ of ice cubes
1 Tbsp. of maca powder
1 Tsp. of chia or flax seed
This bright red smoothie has a bit of an earthy flavor to it thanks to the beets and maca powder. If “earthy” isn’t your thing, tread lightly on the beets as its flavor often overpowers. Maca (commonly referred to as Peruvian ginseng) is packed with good stuff that benefits women in particular. It eases PMS, regulates hormones, uplifts your mood, enhances your energy, and promotes good sexual function! This superfood is a must have and will help you recover fast from Friday night. Don’t have any maca? Try camu camu for a vitamin C packed hangover cure!
Sunday
1.5 cup of water
1 banana
½ cup of romaine lettuce
½ cup of spinach
½ a cucumber
½ pear, sliced
½ apple, sliced
½ lemon (or lime) squeezed
1 Tsp. of spirulina (or chlorella)
¼ cup of herbs (mint, cilantro, parsley)
What would a smoothie list be without a green smoothie? Sundays are days to rest, to recover and prepare yourself for the week ahead. What better way to do that than a power drink packed with awesome vitamins and minerals found in spirulina! Dark greens have vitamin K, vitamin B, folic acids, riboflavin, chlorophyll, and so much more! As health nutritionist Kimberly Snyder suggests with her “Glowing Green Smoothie,” the trick is to blend the leafy greens with the water first, and then add the fruit for a smooth and healthy smoothie.
Notes: Maca, spirulina, cacao, and camu camu are sold at natural health food stores. Chia, flax, and hemp seeds are great sources of fiber, omega-3, and iron.
There you have it! One perfect smoothie for each day of the week. You’ll notice I rarely suggest “juice” bases such as orange juice or apple juice. If your smoothie is all fruit, you’re already getting a lot of sugar. Sure, it may not be processed, but sugar is sugar so take it easy. Try to at least sneak a vegetable in here and there for optimal health benefits. Happy summer smoothies!
Have any questions or want to suggest a recipe for our fellow readers? Comment at the bottom!
Featured image via Daria Shvetsova on Pexels
