The Nutrition-Packed Go-To Every Day Smoothie Recipe

I'm no cook, so it's taken me a long time to adjust to a clean diet. And I mean a loooong time. Full disclosure, I'm still working on it. As a former vegetarian, I never learned how to cook meat and it doesn't come easy to me. Also, due to my chronic fatigue, I don't typically have the energy to cook from scratch using only whole foods. Again, working on it. I know it is important and I will get there eventually, but in the meantime I try to get my nutrients in the simplest manner possible.  

Enter smoothies. If there is one thing I make like a pro, it's smoothies. Throwing a bunch of healthy stuff in a Vitamix and turning it on...no problem. I got this.

Over time I developed my go-to smoothie that I make every morning. I start my day on a nutritional high note to ensure I get greens, healthy fats, and antioxidants daily. Plus it tastes delicious

This recipe can be made Paleo/AIP if you omit the kefir. I add it, because Lyme disease patients can benefit from probiotics to offset the antibiotics. It can be made vegan if you also omit the collagen. The collagen helps me make up for eating a very limited amount of meat. 

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​Nutrition Packed Go-To Every Day Smoothie Recipe:

​​Serves 1-2

-1 cup water
-½ cup kefir (omit if Paleo/AIP, vegan)
-1 tablespoon Grass-Fed Collagen (omit if vegan) 
-Handful of greens  
-1 tablespoon raw cacao or raw carob powder  
-½ small banana (frozen)
-¼ avocado (frozen)
-1 cup frozen organic berries (any kind, but I prefer a mix of blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries)

Throw it all in a Vitamix or high-speed blender until well blended. In Vitamix: level 10 for about 1 minute. Voila. This is the model I have. It is by far my favorite kitchen appliance: 

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​Prep Tips: 

-Each week I halve 4 small bananas and quarter 2 large avocados. Then, I put them in freezer bags and keep in the freezer. It's enough for a week's worth of smoothies. 

-If you want to use fresh fruit and veggies simply add ice instead of water.   

I use Gotham Greens, which are locally and sustainably grown in Chicago and New York. At Whole Foods they cost the same as other organic greens, but stay fresher longer, because they are grown right here. You can buy these greens in the Midwest or the New York Tri-State area.  

I use this Grass-Fed Collagen:

I use this carob powder: 

And I use this cacao powder: ​

Leave a comment if you give it a try or discover any delicious adjustments to the recipe. 

"So, what if, instead of thinking about solving your whole life, you just think about adding additional good things. One at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow." - Rainbow Rowell