The Best and Healthiest Smoothie and Juice Recipes

The last year of travel and eating somewhat unhealthy has caused a notable depletion of energy for me.  Although vitamins are a regular part of my life, the decrease in energy led me to seek an alternative way to help me get through the day.  Looking online for smoothie and juice recipes led to some disappointment.  Many of the recipes are the same and many contained ingredients that were difficult to find.  So I decided to test and taste recipes I had come up with, and I'd have to say I'm hooked!  Here are a few of my favorites (minus the protein powders I hate so much):

1.  Protein Smoothie

Although this recipe has many ingredients, making it is definitely worth the fuss and can be used to replace a meal.

1/2 frozen banana
10 blueberries
3-5 blackberries
1 1/2 cups of vanilla or plain soy milk
3 Tbsp of plain medium tofu
1 tsp of almond paste (grind almonds and a bit of olive oil until a paste is formed)
3 Tbsp of honey or vanilla flavored 0% fat greek yogurt
1/2 tsp of flax seed

Directions:  Place the frozen banana and soy milk in a blender.  Blend until banana is pureed.  Add all other ingredients and blend until smooth.  Garnish with berries and enjoy!  This is the drink I usually replace supper with.  It is thick, a bit sweet and very filling!

2.  Juice for Breakfast

One of the easiest juice drinks I make for breakfast only contains 3 ingredients.  Its simple and great for people who don't generally eat breakfast.

2 green apples
2 oranges peeled
1/2 tsp of fresh ginger

Directions:  Place the apples (with skins) in the juicer along with the oranges and ginger.  Enjoy!

3.  Delicious Veggie/Fruit Juice

This recipe is one of my favorites because it really doesn't taste like you drinking straight vegetables.  It's refreshing and easy to make!

Half an unpeeled cucumber
2 cups of baby spinach
3 celery stalks
2 unpeeled green apples
1 tsp ginger

Directions:  Place all ingredients in a juicer.  Serve over ice and enjoy!

4.  Avocado Smoothie

I love avocados and was looking for a way to incorporate them in a juice/smoothie form.  Although the thought of drinking an avocado sounds odd, the smoothie is surprisingly good.

1 ripe avocado
1 cup of sugar free pear nectar
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions:  Put all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.  Serve and enjoy!

5.  Oatmeal Smoothie

This recipe is definitely odd.  While the rest of the recipes I listed I came up with on my own from trial and error, this recipe I stumbled upon on the internet and I just had to try it!  The smoothie is great for breakfast and satisfies that sweet tooth.

2/3 cup of instant oats
2 bananas
1 3/4 cup of skim or soy milk
1 cup of low fat buttermilk
1/3 cup of ice cubes
3 1/2 Tbsp of pure maple syrup
2 Tbsp of almond butter
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions:  Cook oats as directed, then let cool for 5 minutes.  Place all ingredients in a processor and blend until smooth.  Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon, serve and enjoy!

6.  Peanut Butter-Banana Smoothie

This recipe is great for adults and children alike!  It's simple and quick to make plus very filling.

1 banana
1/2 cup of skim or soy milk
1 Tbsp smooth peanut butter
3 large ice cubes

Directions:  Place all ingredients in a processor, serve and enjoy!


These are just a few of my favorite recipes.  Later I will be publishing more recipes!  Although juicing and smoothie making can be messy and require a wide variety of ingredients, the payoff is definitely worth the effort!