Our producer…Morgan…read my smoothie blog the other day and it inspired her to make one for herself.
Well…she thought the one she made tasted awful. What??? I knew it had to be because of what she was using…so I asked her for details.
She told me that her almond milk was unsweetened (always preferred because you don’t want the added sugar)…but that it had no vanilla!!! Ahhh…I highly recommend a vanilla flavoring of some sort…helps a lot. She also said that her protein powder was gross…which can definitely be a downer to any smoothie.
All this to say…Morgan’s bad experience made me think I should to a detailed breakdown of a very simple @bewellbykelly Fab 4 Smoothie that I make most days! Today I brought Morgan said smoothie AND SHE LOVED IT…whoop! Down below I typed up the products I use and why I like them + the exact recipe made for Morgan to win her over!
Califia Farms Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk:
This particular almond milk is my jam. I’m obsessed. If your store doesn’t carry this brand…another unsweetened vanilla almond milk will work…I just LOVE the taste of Califia Farms + it’s awesome that its carrageenan free. If you can only find unsweetened almond milk…you can always add a tsp. of vanilla extract to give it some vanilla flavoring.
Nuzest Smoothe Vanilla Protein Powder:
This stuff is just flat out good. I’ve tried a lot protein powders in my life and this is totally my favorite right now. It’s not chalky. It’s vegan. It’s minimal ingredients. It’s just CLEAN + LEAN protein. It’s yum. Trust me. Smooth Vanilla is my favorite…but Rich Chocolate is so good too! And I have the Wild Strawberry too if I need to mix things up. I have tried the Creamy Cappuccino…but I didn’t like it at all.
I try for raw + organic when I can…but that can get expensive…so don’t stress about that stuff when you’re just starting out. The goal here is to add some flavor and some fat! I go with almond butter because I’ve read over and over that peanuts tend to be toxic…but a good organic peanut butter, every once in a while, in a smoothie can’t hurt…plus it’s tasty…so go for it!!! Really…ANY nut butter will do! Pick your favorite and go for it.
These little dudes are for fiber! And I love that they help make my smoothie thicker…without altering the taste!
Spinach:
I promise you cannot taste spinach in a smoothie! I put two big ‘ol handful’s in Morgan’s smoothie and she was like: “Wow. I can’t even taste it.” Spinach is the best way to get your greens in without even knowing it. :)
Bonus!!! English Toffee Stevia Drops:
This stuff is NOT necessary to make this smoothie taste good…but I add it from time to time for a special touch. I threw it in Morgan’s since she’s a newbie and I’m trying to win her over!
How to make the EXACT Fab Four Smoothie that I made for Morgan:
- Pour 2 cups of unsweetened vanilla almond milk in blender.
- Add full serving of smooth vanilla protein powder (20 grams).
- Add 1-2 Tbsp. of almond butter (amount depends how full you need to stay…remember the goal with is to not eat for 4-6 hours if you can).
- Add 1-2 Tbsp. of chia seeds (I typically always do 2 Tbsp. because I like the extra fiber).
- 2 big handfuls of spinach.
- 3 drops of English Toffee Stevia (again…not necessary…but bonus yumminess).
- Blend it all up!!!!
- Pour in a mason jar…or whatever. ENJOY!