3 Super-Healthy Summer Smoothies
These nutrient-rich, protein-packed treats are the new breakfast of champions.
Photos by Leah Lizarondo
If you live anywhere on the Eastern seaboard, I don’t think the motivation for this post requires explanation. As I write this, the temperature is 95 degrees with a “real feel” of 102. That is officially fever-high. There is absolutely no way my stove is going to see any action today.
I’m not complaining, though. I love summer — mercury-breaking heat index and all. No relationship is perfect. I will take the stifling heat in exchange for the long summer days when the sun doesn’t set until 9 p.m. When I don’t have to wear 20 layers. When there are outdoor concerts, regattas and barbecues. Plus, is there a better feeling than lifehacking a sweltering day by taking refuge in a cold, dark movie theater with a big bag of popcorn?
Summer is also an excuse to have treats for breakfast. Or lunch. Or dinner.
To celebrate, we’re making silky smoothies. Velvet goodness in your mouth. Quenching, cooling, nourishing. Sips from your straw punctuated by mmmms and aahhhhs.
I’m not a breakfast cereal girl, nor do I feel satisfied by a pastry for the first meal of the day. And lawd knows I’m not going to make oatmeal or hot porridge right now. So smoothies are IT. They’re nutrient-packed and refreshing, and — most important — they taste like dessert.
Here are three of my favorites. (Also, don’t miss the I Love Me and Berry Good smoothies I posted previously.)
As always in the Brazen Kitchen, we’re kicking it up a notch. I always add a whole leaf of kale (without the stalk) and a scoop of protein powder to my smoothies. It’s always good to add protein! Sometimes I stir in some chia seeds. The recipe below is the “basic” mix to start with – fruit, milk and a natural sweetener. However, feel free to add your own magic. These are quick, simple and definitely hit the spot.
Raspberry Dream
Serves 2
- 1 cup raspberries
- 5-6 dates, pits removed
- 1 ½ cups So Delicious Cashew Milk, Unsweetened, or Almond Milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 large kale leaf, stalk removed
- 1 scoop protein powder
Blueberry Banana
Serves 2
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 ½ cups So Delicious Cashew Milk, Unsweetened, or Almond Milk
- 1 large kale leaf, stalk removed
- 1 scoop protein powder
Mango Coconut Ginger
Serves 2
- 1 heaping cup frozen mango
- 1 cup coconut milk, full fat
- 1 T coconut oil
- 2 T unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 inch knob ginger, peeled
- 1 T maple syrup (optional, depending on how sweet the mango is)
- 1 large kale leaf, stalk removed
- 1 scoop protein powder
