My "Top 10" Favorite Smoothie Recipes & The Benefits That Follow...

Hi there!  Welcome back to another week of 4EvrBless Healthy Living's powerful posts! 
Back with some more food related tips, I am here to share my top 10 FAVORITE smoothie recipes with you. Also, for those of you who LOVE to research and know the more intricate details, I will share more specifics as to the benefits of the ingredients/smoothies. 
(Note: The names of each "Smoothie/Smoothie recipe," as well as the recipes themselves, were created by myself, Alyssa R., of 4EvrBless Healthy Living). 


Although smoothies can be made any way YOU like it--either cold (using frozen fruit) or fresh (cut & prep items "as you go"), my best recommendation is to wash, prepare and freeze your fruits first. Yes, I have tried the "fresh option" and it definitely works well. I have even implemented this method into my smoothie-making regimen for several years. However, I have recently realized that the frozen/cold option helps to: 1) preserve my fruits longer, 2) makes smoothies taste WAY BETTER and 3) cut down on "as you go" prep time, 4) makes for a lot easier clean-up, and 5) eliminates having to add ice (or water) to the smoothie. A site, daily-harvest.com even states that their fruits are "Farm frozen to preserve the highest nutrient density." (http://bit.ly/from-Daily-Harvest)
So, with that in mind... HERE WE GO!!!
​

#1):  Oh, So Good Morning Smoothie

• 1 Cup of fresh Pineapple Juice
• 1/4 to 1/2 Cup of Spinach (fresh)
• 1 Banana, chopped (preferably frozen)
• 1/4 Cup of Apples, peeled & sliced (fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 Cup of Peaches, peeled & sliced (fresh or frozen)
• 1 to 2 Scoops of Collagen Powder
• 1 Tbs of Brown Sugar (or sweetener of choice, i.e. Honey, Agave Nectar, Stevia, Truvia, etc.)

Benefits:
Skin elasticity, more energy, a boost of your brain function and memory, as well as alertness and healthier eyes... meaning better eyesight! 

#2): Quick-N-Easy Protein Smoothie 

• 1 Cup of Almond Milk (I like & prefer the Blue Diamond brand)
• 1 Banana, chopped 
• 1 Tbs of Peanut Butter
• 1/4 to 1/2 Cup of Fresh Oats
• 1 Scoop of Whey Protein Powder or "Teras Whey" Goat Whey Protein Powder (optional)
• 5-8 Ice Cubes

Benefits: 
TONS of fiber: which will help you be more regular. You will also see a boost of energy which comes from the
​beta-carotene and potassium properties of bananas. 
​

#3): Sweet, Creamy Goodness ;-) 

• 1 Cup of Fresh Pineapple Juice (or 1 Cup of Almond Milk... Though, I do prefer the juice for this recipe).
• 1 Banana, chopped (preferably frozen)
• 1/2 Cup of Pineapple, chopped (preferably frozen)
• 1/4 Cup of Mango, chopped (preferably frozen)
• 1 to 2 Scoops of Collagen Powder
• 1 Tbs of Brown Sugar or Sweetener of Choice

Benefits: 
Boost of energy, a healthier heart and overall attitude, as well as a great feeling of strength!  
​

#4): Green Power-House Blend

• 1/2 Cup of Pineapple Juice (optional for this recipe)
• 1 Banana, chopped
• 1/2 or 1 whole Avocado, pitted & chopped
• 1 Cup of Spinach
• 1/2 Cup of Kale (optional)
• 1 to 2 Scoops of Collagen Powder
• 1 Scoop of Whey Protein Powder (optional: Great if you need "added protein" or if you just completed an exercise).
• 1 Tbs of Brown Sugar or Sweetener of Choice

Benefits:

#5): Strawberry Boost

• 1 Cup of Fresh Pineapple Juice
• 1/2 Cup of Strawberries, diced (preferably frozen)
• 1 Banana, chopped (preferably frozen)
• OPTIONAL/EXTRA INGREDIENT:
  • 1/4 Cup of fresh Spinach OR 1/4 Cup of Pineapple, chopped (choose: Pineapple for sweeter, fruity taste, or Spinach or get your serving of "greens" for the day).
• 1 to 2 Scoops of Collagen Powder
• 1 Tbs of Brown Sugar or Sweetener of Choice

Benefits: 
Skin elasticity from the collagen and vitamin-C properties in banana and strawberry. Helps with heart function, eyesight, and even helps to detoxify the body naturally. 

#6): Berry Delicious Blast

• 1/2 Cup of Fresh Pineapple Juice (if all fruits are frozen, adding the Pineapple Juice can be optional here)
• 1/2 Cup of Strawberries, diced (preferably frozen)
• 1/2 Cup of Blueberries (preferably frozen)
• 1 Banana, chopped (preferably frozen)
• 1 to 2 Scoops of Collagen Powder
• 1 Tbs of Brown Sugar or Sweetener of Choice

Benefits: 
Natural "weight loss," healthier bones and heart. Helps to keep your mind in-tact, alert and focused. 

#7): Berry, Berry & More Berries!!!

• (If you're a milk person, use this) 1/2 Cup of Almond Milk
• (If you like fruit juices, or naturally sweet flavors, use this) 1/2 Cup of Fresh Pineapple Juice
• 1/2 Cup of Strawberries, diced (preferably frozen)
• 1/2 Cup of Blueberries (preferably frozen)
• 1/2 Cup of Blackberries (preferably frozen)
• 1/2 Cup of Raspberries (preferably frozen)
• 1 Banana, chopped (preferably frozen) (optional)
• 1 Scoop of Collagen Powder
• 1 Tbs of Brown Sugar or Sweetener of Choice

​Benefits: 
​Promotes bone density. Increases the vitamins our bodies need, which results in a much healthier body, overall. Also helps to improve digestion, protect your skin (and even reduce wrinkles), and gives you a super boost to your immune system. 

#8): Mango-y & Amazing

• 1/2 Cup of Fresh Pineapple Juice
• 1/2 Cup of Mango, peeled & chunked (preferably frozen)
• 1/4 Cup of Peach, peeled & sliced (preferably frozen)
• 1/4 Cup of Pineapple, chopped (preferably frozen)
• 1 Banana, chopped (preferably frozen)
• 1  Scoop of Collagen Powder
• 1 Scoop of Whey Protein Powder (definitely optional for this smoothie)
• 1 Tbs of Brown Sugar or Sweetener of Choice

Benefits: 
Lower cholesterol levels, but an increase in fiber and vitamin intake. The mango also helps to keep your body alkalized... which basically means, happy, healthy, balanced & in harmony. ​

#9): Pina-Banana Power Blast

• 1 Cup of Fresh Pineapple Juice
• 1/2 Cup of Pineapple, chopped (preferably frozen)
• 1 Banana, chopped (preferably frozen)
• OPTIONAL: 1/2 Cup of Oats (will make smoothie "chunkier" and "thicker," and the oats can also sub as protien here). Also, if you choose to add oats, I would also recommend substituting the Pineapple Juice with Almond Milk :-D .
• 2 Scoops of Collagen Powder
• 1 Tbs of Brown Sugar or Sweetener of Choice

Benefits:
Gives you an energy boost from the potassium, which is found in bananas. You will also feel better, stronger, and more alert!

#10): Bright, Powerful, Tasty & Beautiful

• 1 Cup of Pineapple Juice
• 5 Strawberries, diced (preferably frozen)
• 4 to 6 Pineapple Chunks (preferably fresh & frozen)
• 4 to 6 Mango Chunks (preferably fresh & frozen)
• 1/2 of a Peach, pitted, peeled & sliced (preferably frozen)
• 1/2 of an Apple, peeled & sliced (preferably frozen) 
• 1/4 Cup of Blueberries (preferably frozen) (optional)
• 1 Banana, chopped (preferably frozen)
• 1 Scoop of Collagen Powder
• 1 Tbs of Sweetener of Choice (also optional)

Benefits: 
​Overall, you will feel alert, energized, and strong from all the vitamins that your body will be "receiving" from this power-packed smoothie!​

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Have any recipes of your own? What has worked for you, and what are the A-MA-ZING benefits that you have achieved and received as a result? Comment below & share your answers with me  & the 4EvrBless Healthy Living family! 
We can't wait to hear from you!

Until next time: Stay 4EvrBless!
To Your Self Love, and to Embracing & Accepting Yourself so you can live a Healthy Life...