Talk to me about smoothies

Xan921

I've been thinking about replacing one of my meals with a smoothie of some type but I don't even know where to start.  I mean, I get it, you throw some stuff in a blender and there ya go, you've got a smoothie.  But does anyone have any suggestions on good combinations?  Do you add things like protein powder to yours? The ones that you make, are you able to make a large batch at a time then use it for a couple days in a row or do I need to make a new one each day?  I've only ever used my blender to make daiquiris and margaritas lol.

MrsFreeman2010

I used to replace breakfast with a smoothie. We used fruit, Greek yogurt, and some veggies (normally spinach). I found a lot of recipes on Pinterest. I would have to make a new one everyday because they would separate and get all weird if they sat around. I never added protein powder but I have friends that do who love it. What helped me is putting them all together beforehand, put them in a ziplock bag, and keep them in the fridge/freezer. Then in the morning I just had to empty the bag into the blender and it was ready to go.

Apollo11235

I wish I could be more helpful, but I don't do smoothies much.

Definitely if I were using them as a meal replacement, I would use protein powder and/or greek yogurt and/or peanut butter to make sure it was substantial.

As for batches, what I have done sometimes is measure out the fruit for several smoothies into single-serving ziploc bags and freeze them to make over a few days. I haven't tried making them ahead and freezing, but I'm not sure if that would work since you'd have to thaw them. You could maybe try blending, freezing, then moving to the fridge a few hours before you want to drink one?

LittleLady77

I usually do protein powder, frozen fruit and almond milk in the bullet blender. It takes less than 5 minutes to make and it's yummy. I don't think I could skip lunch with just a smoothie but it's a great snack or paired with a piece of toast I could skip lunch.

nfp147

We have been drinking two smoothies a day (breakfast and lunch) for a couple of months now.  I have 1 cup of almond milk, Body by Vi powder, and other ingredients.  I use instant espresso, cocoa powder and frozen banana to make a shake that tastes pretty similar to a frozen coffee drink. There's another I make with frozen cherries, almond milk, powder and cocoa powder that tastes like a melted choco-cherry Blizzard.  We buy bags of frozen fruit and make all sorts of combinations.

For lunch, I make my shake in the morning and take it to work and put it in the fridge.  I always add ground flax seed and spinach to my lunch shake along with frozen fruit.  

I have a list of 200 recipes I can email you if you want.  They all are recipes for Body by Vi, but I'm sure the combinations would work well with another powder (or on their own).

ecinereb

I did the Body by Vi challenge for about 6 months. As well as just make smoothies on my own now. If you're replacing a meal you'll want to use some sort of protein powder so that it's fills you up.

Usually I just use almond milk and frozen fruit. I also really like one that's almond milk, a banana and 1/2 an avocado.

nfp147

@ecinereb Hello!  Have you found a decent protein powder?  I think we'll eventually want to find something less expensive than BBV, but I like that it's fairly low calorie.

BruinsBabe33

I love smoothies! Yoplait has a pre packaged smoothie concoction that you can add to! I like them a lot!

lilliesandvino

I don't have a traditional blender, would an immersion blender work?

HoneyBee973

I buy bags of frozen fruit, and just add some milk, yogurt, PB and sometimes a handful of spinach to it. Sometimes I like to add some bananas. I have been thinking about making green smoothies. Anyone have some recipes to share?

nfp147

lilliesandvino said:

I don't have a traditional blender, would an immersion blender work?

It should.  We use our Magic Bullet.

Xan921

I've been thinking about getting the Magic Bullet. How are you liking it @nfp147?

poppies717

I buy a bunch of organic fruits and cut them up. Then I put different blends in freezer bags. They keep much longer in the freezer, and I just take them out the night before and put them in the fridge. I add Greek yogurt to mine (yes, Stonyfield, Bruins). I'm in search for a good protein powder, so I'll take recommendations!

Xan921

On a non smoothie related note the first vibrator I ever bought was called the Magic Bullet so I always giggle immaturely a little bit every time I see someone give great reviews about the blender version.

BruinsBabe33

@xan921 thank you! Me, too! I don't know how people take it seriously!

LittleLady77

Xan921 said:

I've been thinking about getting the Magic Bullet. How are you liking it @nfp147?

I love mine.

ecinereb

nfp147 said:

@ecinereb Hello!  Have you found a decent protein powder?  I think we'll eventually want to find something less expensive than BBV, but I like that it's fairly low calorie.

Right now i'm using the vanilla flavoured Vega.

The reason I stopped using BBV was because it Soy based which isn't that great for TTC and Veg is similar but plant based. I'm not sure how it compares calorie wise but it isn't bad taste wise and you can buy it at the grocery store.

nfp147

Xan921 said:

I've been thinking about getting the Magic Bullet. How are you liking it @nfp147?

We love it.  We've had one for years.  It's amazing how well they work for such an inexpensive little machine.

LuckyAngel07

I made smoothies for breakfast for the longest time. 

Like everyone else, I had to make them on a daily basis; they separated and were weird if I even tried to make a double batch and take the second half to work for lunch or something.

I use either vanilla or chocolate protein powder (love the EAS Lean 15 powder; it's only 100 calories with 15 g protein in 2 scoops). Then I add a whole banana, about a cup of frozen fruit of choice, a cup of almond or coconut milk, and a couple handfuls of baby spinach (you seriously can't even taste it!).

Even DH said they were really good. I really need to get back to making them!

Xan921

Thanks for the tips/suggestions everyone!  

cinderin

We used to make them every AM but haven't in about a year.

We used TJ protein powder.

If you get serious about it, I think a good blender makes a huge difference. We had a kitchen aid which was $200 and broke, it was crap. We have a vitamix now and it is amazing!!! Totally worth it.

KonaCoffeeBean

I sometimes do smoothies for a snack, but not a meal. I do a fruit or two, a handful of greens, and some water, no dairy. I imagine it's about 200 calories, so definitely not a meal, but a good way squeeze some fruit.

mrsskiz

BruinsBabe33 said:

@xan921 thank you! Me, too! I don't know how people take it seriously!

I got one as a shower gift and DH saw it on the registery and was "shocked that Target sells that kind of stuff" Not that something he thought was a vibrator was on our wedding registery, just that Target sells them. Meathead.

But eitherway, we love ours and I am sad its in storage now