There’s just something about the rich, delicious blend of chocolate, coffee and bananas that makes me go a little nuts! That’s why I added almonds and replaced the espresso with decaf in the Wired Mocha Monkey Smoothie for a new twist on an old goodie.

This smoothie is small yet mighty! It’s only 300 calories but it’s packed full of nutrients and flavour. Enjoying this quick liquid breakfast will start your day off with a powerful punch of potassium, vitamin E, manganese, magnesium and vitamin B6.

Add the right protein powder and you can double, triple or even quadruple it’s nutrient density!

The soy protein isolate I used added an extra 100 calories but nearly doubled the potassium, tripled the protein levels, more than doubled the vitamin B6 content and added a significant amount of vitamin B12 (important mood enhancing vitamins) – just to name a few!

Mocha Almond Monkey Madness

Makes: 1 serving (app. 18 oz)

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup raw almonds, ground
• 1 small banana, frozen
• 1 cup Almond milk, plain
• 1/4 Swiss water decaffeinated brewed espresso, organic if possible
• 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder, unsweetened
• 1 serving of your fav protein powder

Preparation

1. Grind almonds first.
2. Add remaining ingredients except for the protein powder.
3. Blend on high.
4. Add protein powder. Pulse to blend with smoothie.
5. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information (protein powder is not included in the following calculations)

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The leaves are turning brown, the air is cool and there are a ton of healthy, yummy vegetables being harvested! Why not add some variety to your usual smoothies by taking advantage of the new season?

This smoothie recipe is made from spiced pumpkin filling and frozen yogurt! While a little high in sugar, canned pumpkin is low in saturated fat, and very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Vitamin E, Pantothenic Acid, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Copper, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron and Manganese.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Makes approximately 20 oz

Ingredients

1 cup chilled vanilla soy beverage
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup frozen vanilla yogurt
1 tsp pumpkin spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves & ginger – all ground)
3 ice cubes

Directions

1. Blend until smooth.
2. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information

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Had a late night and looking for a healthy pick-me-up in the morning? This scrumptious, banana and chocolate velvet dream in a glass will give you a nutritious energy boost lasting well into lunch time.

Inspired by The Hormone Diet’s Dopamine Delight Smoothie (one of many delicious recipes from Dr. Natasha Turner), this smoothie is made with espresso and cinnamon:

Wired Mocha Monkey Smoothie

Makes: approximately 18 oz

Ingredients

1 small banana (frozen)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup rice milk (chocolate)
1 double shot organic espresso (approx. 1/4 cup)
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1 serving protein powder (plain)

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients except protein powder until smooth.
2. Add protein powder and pulse until blended in.
3. Enjoy!

Nutritional Info

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The United States of America will be celebrating their Independence Day tomorrow, hot on the heels of Canada Day and my birthday (today!). In honour of our neighbours, please enjoy this red, white and blue smoothie recipe.

Extremely simple and yummy, this smoothie is made from red, white and blue ingredients. The fruit is seasonal, so hopefully you’ll have ‘em in the fridge so you can cheers America bright and early for breakfast!

(For next year, I’ll work on a layered smoothie!)

Red, White & Blue Smoothie

Serves: 1 (20 oz glass)

Ingredients

1 cup fresh Strawberries  (RED)
1/2 cup plain Yogurt (WHITE)
1 cup fresh Blueberries (BLUE)
1 cup Rice Dream Vanilla rice milk
1 serving of your fav Protein Powder
2 tbsp. Flaxseed, ground
1 tsp Honey (optional, to desired sweetness)
4 ice cubes

Directions

1. Blend until smooth.
2. Enjoy.

Nutritional Info

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Many people in Ontario look forward to June for the coveted union of strawberry and rhubarb in the classic, sweet and tart, strawberry rhubarb pie. But not everyone wants to take that big of a calorie hit. So with a little Live Lighter health spin, here’s a delightful smoothie recipe to satisfy your craving!

The following recipe calls for frozen ingredients. It will help you use up last year’s stock to make room for the new. If you’re using fresh ingredients, make sure to add 3-4 ice cubes to the recipe.

Love to hear how you like it, please leave your comments!

Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie

Serves: 1 (20 oz glass)

Ingredients

1 cup frozen  Rhubarb, diced
1 cup frozen Strawberries, unsweetened
1/2 cup plain Yogurt
1 cup Rice Dream Original rice milk
1 serving Brown Rice Protein powder
1 tsp Honey (or to desired sweetness)

Directions

1. Blend until smooth.
2. Enjoy.

Nutrition Information

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Although the avocado may turn a few people off this smoothie recipe, it’s that exact ingredient that gives it a texture of luxurious velvet caressing the tongue. Sometimes called, the alligator pear, it’s also high in healthy fats which have been shown to help lower levels of unhealthy fats in the body.  And it’s only 567 calories!

For anyone coming off certain fasts today, this is a heavenly treat that combines 2 subtle and delicious tastes:

Pear-ly Heavenly Avocado Smoothie

Serves: 1 (20 oz glass)

Ingredients

1 pear, fresh, seeded & chopped
1/2 avocado, fresh
1/2 cup yogurt, plain
1 cup rice milk, vanilla
1 scoop protein powder
3 ice cubes

Directions

Blend until smooth. Enjoy.

Nutrition information

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A protein smoothie is one of my favourite ways to finish off an intense workout (besides a shower, of course). The protein and nutrients help rebuild the muscles just ripped with high quality calories. And this recipe, with it’s silky, smooth texture and strawberry, mango taste bonanza, is definitely one that I had to share with you!

You’ll notice listed in the ingredient a different protein powder made here in Toronto from Heartland Gold. It’s hypo-allergenic (gluten, soy & lactose-free), organic, sprouted, non-GMO brown rice protein powder. It’s unflavoured to allow the fruit the spotlight in the smoothie but it lends an interesting earthy taste. It’s also budget-friendly at $20.99 for 400g. I recommend trying it if you can get it in your neighbourhood healthfood store.

Try this recipe with your favourite protein powder:

Mango My Strawberry Smoothie

Makes 1 serving, about 20 oz.

Ingredients

1 cup strawberries (frozen)
0.5 cup mango, fresh, sliced
0.5 cup yogurt, plain
2 tbsp flax seed, ground
1 cup Rice Dream rice milk, vanilla
1 scoop Heartland Gold brown rice protein powder

Directions

1. Blend until smooth.
2. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information

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It’s the first day of Spring and smoothie season has officially begun! Let’s celebrate with a delicious new recipe, a tropical treat to nourish your body and tickle your imagination.

Made with fresh pineapple and banana, the two tastes Tango on your tongue. And in preparation for the stress on your body with the changing seasons, this frothy, golden glass of nutrients is loaded with immune-boosting Vitamin C.

Pineapple ‘Naner Smoothie

Makes 1 serving, about 20 oz.

Ingredients

1 cup pineapple, fresh, chopped
1 medium banana, fresh, ripe
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1 Tbsp PC chunky almond spread
1 scoop Ruth’s hemp protein powder with sprouted flax and maca
1 cup rice milk, plain
3 ice cubes

Directions

1. Blend until smooth.
2. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information

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This smoothie was so good I had to have it TWICE this week. The vibrant, royal blue of this breakfast drink was actually hypnotizing. A few commuters nervously glanced my way yesterday morning when they caught me smiling and giggling into my stainless steel coffee mug.

King Kong’s Smoothie

Ingredients

1 med banana, fresh and peeled
1 cup frozen blueberries
½ cup yogurt, plain
1 cup soy beverage, vanilla
1 scoop Ruth’s Hemp protein powder with sprouted flax & maca
1 tbsp wheat bran

Preparation

Blend until smooth-ie. Enjoy this thick ambrosia!

Nutritional Information

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This breakfast protein drink will curl your tongue in impossible angles. The sweet nutty protein of the Brazilian nuts gives this tropical based smoothie the substance we need for a winter diet. Not to mention that it totally tickles the taste factor.

Brazilian Mango Banana Smoothie

Ingredients

1 medium banana, peeled
½ cup fresh mango, peeled and sliced
¼ Brazil nuts
1 Tbsp ground flax seeds
1 cup vanilla soy beverage
½ cup plain yogurt
1 serving Ruth’s hemp protein powder

Preparation

Blend until smooth and enjoy!

Nutritional Information

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