The older I get the more I tend to find myself living by some type of routine, whether in regards to work or sleep schedule I generally find myself meandering through various lifestyle trends. Is this a bad thing? Does this mean I'm a boring person? Of course not, but I think it's interesting on occasion to take a step back and analyze habits you may have adopted along the way. My latest addiction comes in the form of a 2.2 Horsepower, well-oiled machine with blade speeds high enough to heat soup - The Vitamix 750 Series.
Now that I have succumb to my latest addiction, I wanted to share my personal smoothie recipe I use to kick-start my mornings with a bang!
Start With the Basics
Any kind of smoothie starts with a liquid base and I generally use a blend of water and almond milk. Ever since I watched "Forks Over Knives" I have tried to cut dairy out of my diet, and unsweetened, vanilla almond milk works well for me - the liquid/ice ratio influences consistency so keep that in mind if you are aiming for a smoothie or a juice. Some of the more basic additions are below:
- handful of spinach
- 1 apple
- 1/2 a cucumber
- handful of blueberries
A Touch of Class
One thing to keep in mind with blending is that certain foods will dictate taste and some will simply influence color. While spinach is great for you, it's rare to hear someone get on their soap box regarding the lack of spinach-flavored items in the market place - there is a reason for it. With that said, I've become an advocate for adding mint leaves to my smoothies to add a hint of flavoring. Grab a few leaves off the branch and chuck them in - you won't regret it, and you will likely increase your chances of something tasty.
The Cherry On Top
When someone told me I could have the benefits of a vitamin in an actual item of food, I thought it was too good to be true, but I was sorely mistaken. Chia seeds are an incredible edition to any smoothie, supplying your body with a remarkable combination of omega-3, fiber, protein, and more (I buy Chia from these guys). Add a spoon full and you will understand why the Aztecs apparently used the food to fuel their conquests, not to mention, there are a lot of other benefits you should check out.
I can't say that I am an iron man or star athlete (Phil and I played semi-pro for a bit), but even with soccer behind me, and nights out with friends, I seem to maintain a healthy weight. I'd never encourage you to cut out all the tasty treats out there, but I hope concoctions like this can help you maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Full Recipe
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of vanilla unsweetened almond milk
- 1 handful of spinach
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1 apple
- 1 handful of blueberries
- 4 mint leaves
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
- 1 handful of ice (depending on desired consistency)
Love you guys,
Mac
Follow Mac Gambill
Co-founder + CEO of Nudge
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