Prepping A Super-delicious Smoothie Station!

The thought of having a smoothie for breakfast seemed too hard.

So instead, I used to have a milky, sugar-loaded double shot latte for breakfast.

This year, I have resolved to embrace a healthier lifestyle. So the milky sugary coffees that I felt I NEEDED to stop me from getting all morning-stabby are gone.

I have to say, I don’t really miss those double-shot sugary lattes.

Ok, so there was a bit of a twitchy transitional period, where I had a few cravings and cave-ins. And I haven’t been that cranky. Honest.

Well, actually I do get cranky when people throw about the word detox and cleanse. Drinking smoothies are not detoxing, cleansing or depriving. It’s just getting the whole foods and nutrients you need in a liquidised portion.

Renourishing?

That doesn’t sound as sexy, does it?

Smoothies are so much better for you than juicing. Smoothies ensure you get the whole fruit or vegetable, including all the fibre.

While attempting to change some unhealthy habits this year, I have discovered for myself something that much smarter people have always known…

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”

Buckminster Fuller

So I swapped my coffees for something much tastier! And, healthier.

Setting up the smoothie station encourages me to have a healthy, nutrient-rich breakfast, that will sustain me until lunchtime. All the ingredients are easily found at your supermarket or health food store.

Now, I make it so easy to be healthy, I actually have to make an effort to be unhealthy.

And I just can’t be bothered going to all the trouble!

I have always loved smoothies, or more accurately, milkshakes. I would scoop in some berries for colour, plus maybe a scoop or two of ice cream, some honey, and top with milk.

Now, I have swapped all the unhealthy stuff for a stash of ingredients at the ready, that provide flavour AND all the good things that my body needs. The key to smoothie success is prepping a super-smoothie station!

Prepping a Smoothie Pantry Stash

Raw Cacao Powder

Raw cacao powder is amazing. It adds a healthy chocolate flavour that satisfies even this confessed chocoholic. Only a few years ago it was hard to find, now it seems to be everywhere. It is not only delicious but loaded with nutrients and health benefits.

Hemp Powder

Sure, there are heaps of vegan protein powders out there, but this one is just ground whole hemp seeds with no additives. Like cacao, the long list of health benefits and nutrients is worth a look! Sorry kids, it won’t get you high.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon adds a great taste to smoothies but its effect on our body is a matter of dose. Too much, more than a mere teaspoon a day, can cause all kinds of problems. But smaller amounts have numerous substantiated benefits.

Stevia Extract

I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but if you do, try a few leaves or stevia extract in your smoothies. I grow it at home in a pot that lives in my shade house, admittedly, it is a thirsty, kind of fussy herb. But given its incredible properties, I’m more than willing to accommodate a high maintenance plant.

Vanilla Extract

Quality vanilla extract is hard to beat. It is a familiar, comforting flavour that tastes sweet. I use an alcohol-free paste from the supermarket, but I am going to make my own using vegetable glycerine as soon as that runs out! I’ll keep you posted!

Prepping a Smoothie Freezer Stash

Frozen Fruit

When bananas are in season, they are plentiful and cheap and I keep my freezer stocked. Mangoes, pineapple and even watermelon freeze really well. Just cut into chunks, freeze flat on a tray for a few hours and then put in a container. Alternatively, make fruit purees and freeze them in icecube trays.

Frozen Berries

I’m not lucky enough to have a prolific berry patch (yet!) Luckily, frozen berries are easy to find at the supermarket and they freeze very well. All kinds of berries are packed with anti-oxidants, fibre and flavour.

Frozen Greens & Purples

I don’t have a recipe as such for my frozen greens because it changes almost every time I prepare them. My favourite greens to use are a mix of mint, Italian parsley, spinach and kale. I whizz them up in my blender with a bit of water and freeze in ice-cube trays before popping them out into a container for storage.

Again this is a seasonal thing, but when beetroots and red cabbage are in season, I blend them together and freeze in cubes. They offer a sweet, earthy flavour to smoothies a great compliment to berry flavours.

Frozen Coconut Milk

I don’t use a lot of coconut milk, so find it is easier to freeze in blocks and use when I need it.

Frozen Juice

When lemons and limes are plentiful, I squeeze and freeze their juice.

Of course, I always have a supply of my Whole Nut Milk on hand to blend everything together. It is a must-have in my Fridge!

Switching to a healthy, whole food plant-based lifestyle needn’t be traumatic! With some simple preparations, the experience can be fun and ensure you stick to your new lifestyle! Check out the Subscriber Resource Library for our Plant-Based Pantry Essentials Guide.

Plus, download our exclusive smoothie recipes using all the ingredients in your smoothie prep station!

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What’s your favourite smoothie? I would love to hear from you, leave a comment below.