Six tips for making a delicious smoothie
Smoothies are a staple in the Vega world; if we’re not blending one for breakfast, you can bet it’s our go-to afternoon snack. While we do love getting fancy with our smoothie recipes from time to time, we typically want something fast and easy. Here are six things that will make your smoothie-making experience easy and efficient.
1. Use a glass
Don’t dirty five cups making a smoothie. You can drink your smoothie right out of the glass you use to measure the ingredients. Mason jars are excellent measuring cups. They allow you to accurately measure liquids thanks to the measurement lines indicated on the side. Or, use your blender for everything! Most blenders have cup measurements inscribed on the side, and we find that “handfuls” are great measures when trying to eyeball ½ a cup of berries or 1 cup of baby spinach.
2. Don’t waste
Got leftover coffee in the pot, two spoonfuls of pumpkin in the can, or three sips of almond milk in the carton? Pour/place these leftover ingredients into ice cube trays or muffin tins. When you get a craving for a mocha (or whatever flavor) smoothie, grab your ice cubes, add the rest of your ingredients, and voila!
3. Make smoothie pops
Ever have ½ cup of smoothie left at the bottom of the blender that just won’t fit into your favorite cup? You could take a big gulp of it before you rush out the door. BUT, failing that, why not pour the leftovers into ice cube trays? You’ll have a cool, sweet treat waiting for you (or your kids) at another time or day.
4. Make smoothie packs
Set aside an extra few minutes on Sunday to make smoothies for the week. Measure out fruits and Vega® plant-based protein powder and place them into individual bags (or even into the Mason jars you plan to drink the smoothies out of!). In the morning, dump the contents of the bag into the blender with your favorite liquid and Vega® plant-based protein powder and blend. This is also a great “chore” to do with your children if you want to get them involved in creating their own smoothie recipe.
5. Freeze smoothies in ice cube trays
If you like thick and creamy smoothies, blend a serving of Vega® powder with dairy-free milk and pour it into ice cube trays. For an evening when you’re craving a nice chocolate smoothie (or any time of day), place the ice cubes into a blender with a frozen banana and a little more dairy-free milk and blend until creamy.
6. Save overripe foods
Did you overdo it on your last grocery store run? Don’t throw out the fruits and veggies you can’t use before they wilt. Instead, freeze everything from brown bananas to wilted greens to super-soft avocados and even steamed cauliflower that you’ll use to make your next smoothie. Pro Tip: Peel your banana and freeze it in an airtight container to avoid the frustrating task of peeling a frozen banana. P.S.—Avocados and steamed cauliflower take your smoothie to the next level of creaminess—trust us!
Red Velvet Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 serving Vega® One All-in-One Shake – Chocolate
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup ice cubes or 1 frozen banana
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 pre-cooked beet
Instructions: Blend until smooth.
Find pre-cooked beets in the canned goods section (but not pickled!). Then, add them to your traditional chocolate smoothie for a sumptuous Red Velvet cake-like beverage.