I discovered smoothies several years back when I was trying to find sneaky ways to get more fruits, veggies, and other nutrients in my family’s diet.  The ease and variety of these drinks continue to keep me interested! With cancer and chemo, there are many days when my husband doesn’t feel like eating but will usually drink at least part of smoothie; therefore, I am careful about my choice of ingredients to get as much protein and other nutrients as possible.

Here is a list of some of my top choices to keep on hand for great smoothies at a moment’s notice:

• Frozen bananas –This is the easiest, least expensive, go to fruit for smoothies.  Buy them them on sale (slightly overripe is good), peel, and pop in a ziploc bag.  If you have bananas sitting on your counter that get too ripe….don’t let them go to waste! Freeze for smoothies!
• Frozen preferably local grown or organic fruit–Buy in bulk when on sale.
• Kale and Spinach–The taste of spinach will blend in with almost anything; kale has a stronger taste.  Have some fresh that you will not be able to use?  You guessed it–Freeze it!
• Almond and/or coconut milk–Read ingredients!  Go for unsweetened varieties.  I like vanilla unsweetened almond milk the best.
• Natural nut butters–Again, read ingredients!
• Flaxseeds
• Good protein powder (see below)
• Plain greek or regular yogurt
• Coconut water
• Ningxia Red (a Young Living product full of good antioxidants)

Smoothies are now trendy, so watch what ingredients are in those “all natural” “healthy” prepackaged mixes and the ones that can be purchased at fast food restaurants and smoothie places.  There are some excellent choices out there; however, READ, READ, READ  the nutrition information!   You can also ask for most smoothies without sugar; most don’t need it to taste great!

With his recent stem cell transplant, being even more  conscientious with smoothie ingredient choices has become crucial because most raw fruit, vegetables, and nuts are off limits due to the risk of bacterial infections to his non-existent immune system. Bananas are still at the top of our list because they have a thick skin that can be washed thoroughly and then peeled.   Having been on the lookout for a protein powder that had ingredients that could be pronounced with a taste that wasn’t fake or chalky, I was thrilled when I tried Young Living’s Pure Protein Complete Vanilla Spice flavor.  I’ve used it for two days now in post stem cell compliant smoothies, and he liked them both (& I did too)!  WIN!WIN!

Pineapple Dream Smoothie

• 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
• 1 cup frozen peach slices (I used canned)
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 cup naturally sweetened lemon greek yogurt
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 2 scoop YL Pure Protein Complete vanilla spice

 

Vanilla Monkey Smoothie

• 4 washed, peeled, frozen bananas
• 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 cup coconut water
• 2 scoops YL Pure Protein Complete vanilla spice

*I will be trying Young Living’s chocolate flavor next month.  I did not like the Slique Berry flavor packs.