Happy Wednesday, Everyone! Thought I’d leave you with a small post before heading to the gym!♥
I have a smoothie just about every day. They’re quick to make, easy cleanup, delicious, filling, nutritious, and so convenient. I could go on, but I’m sure you get the point. There are smoothies in every weekly recap post but I haven’t dedicated a post to a single smoothie in a long time. When I post smoothies on Instagram, I get questions about what goes into them, which protein powder I use, and so on. Well, my smoothies usually change when it comes to flavor, but I always stick to the same formula.
FRUIT: In my smoothies, I always add one cup of frozen fruit. Sometimes I’ll do a tropical frozen fruit, strawberries, mangos, blackberries, or whatever I’m craving. If I’m using chocolate protein powder, I’ll usually go with strawberries, raspberries, or frozen bananas. When it comes to vanilla protein powder, well, it goes with pretty much anything. For this smoothie, I used tropical fruit and strawberries.
PROTEIN POWDER: Let’s talk about protein powder. You can use whichever protein powder you like, but I’ve been using Orgain for the past two years. I think it tastes the best, never makes me feel sick, and I love their company. I have never been sponsored by them, or have had them send me free products. I genuinely love and support Orgain! It also helps that their protein is very inexpensive compared to others out there on the market. We go through protein so fast in this house, so it’s easier on the budget. I also try other plant-based protein powders and enjoy a few others as well.
LIQUID: I always bounce between unsweetened vanilla almond milk and unsweetened vanilla cashew milk. They’re both low in calories and fat, but give my smoothie a nice creamy texture. You can also use water, or whichever choice of milk you wish.
The ice is always optional. Sometimes I add it, and sometimes I don’t. If your fruit is frozen (which is KEY to making the best smoothie) then you’ll be good to go.
Smoothies have always been a part of my lifestyle. I love how refreshing they are, and how easy they can be customized to fit your cravings. In the fall, I like to add pumpkin and nutmeg, or eggnog during the holidays.
Super Foods: Sometimes, I’ll add more superfood powders to my smoothies depending on how I feel. I like to add spirulina, collagen, camu, maca, acai, matcha powder, turmeric, chia seeds, wheatgrass, and goji powder. 
The nutritional info will vary depending on which ingredients you use, but this smoothie makes for the perfect protein source in the morning! I’ll usually have a couple of hard-boiled eggs with it, or a slice of peanut butter toast. 😊
Questions for you!
- Do you have smoothies daily?
- What is your go-to smoothie formula?
- Chocolate or vanilla protein powder?
Is there a certain brand of frozen fruit you use?
I’ll usually just buy fruit from whichever grocery store i’m at if it’s on sale, or freeze the fruit from the farmer’s market 🙂
I love smoothies! I know you try to limit your caffeine, but as a coffee lover, also, I will use iced coffee (brewed the day prior) as my liquid with frozen bananas, cauliflower, vanilla Orgain protein powder (+/- cocoa powder if I want a chocolate flavor), and a packet of stevia. It’s delicious and gives me a pre-workout boost with the caffeine! Plus, I would typically have a cup of coffee in the morning, so this replaces it without over-heating me prior to my workout!
I “TRY”… 😂
I’ve yet to try cauliflower in my smoothie. Still freaks me out lol
I love adding espresso to my smoothies sometimes, never thought about adding brewed coffee! Great idea!
It looks so creamy! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Alaina!
Thank you for sharing your everyday recipe, Taralynn! ❤️ I don’t drink protein smoothies because I’m not a body-builder (or much of an exerciser at all, really!), but this looks delicious! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Hi, Charmaine!
Smoothies are nutritious and great choices for everyone, not just bodybuilders or exercises. We all need protein, and smoothies are a great way to sneak veggies in with it 🙂
Have you ever had macadamia milk? Thoughts?
I’ve seen it, but have never had it!
I agree about Orgain protein powder. You convinced me to try it a couple years ago and it’s been a staple in our house ever since. We find our giant tubs at Costco and buy one every month.
Makes me want to get a costco card!
I have a smoothie about 3-4 times a week. Right now I’m using collegen powder for my protein boost, Greek yogurt, frozen fruit, a mix of kale and spinach, stevia, a piece of candied ginger, and a dash of salt to balance the veggies.
ohhhh candied ginger? genius!!
I love how simple your smoothie is. I get too overwhelmed with recipes and add too many things. I’ll try this next time
Hi, Petra!
I love simplicity! The cool thing is that the ingredients I use can last months in the fridge/freezer and never go bad! Great to keep around 😀
Thanks for sharing your recipe! Figuring out the perfect amount of ice is always a challenging part for me…
But I usually do some kind of shake or smoothie a day. I especially love them after a tough workout!
My favorite combo is PB2 with 1/2 banana and either vanilla or chocolate protein powder (either one is delicious!), with unsweetened almond milk and some ice.
Typically, I get vanilla protein powder because it is so versatile, but I will pick up some chocolate if I have a craving for it!
Any specific suggestions as to what fruits to mix with certain superfoods so that the flavors are complementary to each other?
Hi, Jordan!
I agree. sometimes a smoothie doesn’t even need the ice as long as the fruit is frozen 🙂
I love your combo! pb & banana!? yum!
I usually only add the superfoods when it’s a vanilla smoothie. But I’ll mix ginger, spirulina, camu, and less fruity superfoods with chocolate!
This is really similar to my basic smoothie recipe as well. I usually do 1 cup frozen fruit, 1 cup yogurt, 1 cup water, a bunch of spinach, a glass of water, and some ice. Depending on what I’m feeling, I’ll either add peanut butter or protein powder! I like chocolate protein powder if I’m just drinking it straight, but vanilla for smootheis.
All of your additives sound amazing! Freezing spinach and adding it to smoothies is great as well 😊
I buy lactated milk for my husband. Should I use it for my smoothies ?
You can use any milk you wish. It’s a great sub for dairy, but my favorite are the unsweetened nut-based milk 🙂
Thank you for using a metal straw.
I just bought a bunch! loving them 🙂
I love smoothies for breakfast! I usually try to get mine up to around 350-400 calories for a full meal, because I usually have it while at work. We’ve been working our way through a container of milkadamia right now, which we love because it’s enriched with vitamin b12 and it’s super creamy, but usually we get a huge jug of unsweetened plain almond milk– a trade-off from the unsweetened vanilla one we used to get after I accidentally used it to make a tofu scramble… whoops. I alternate between flavors though, and right now, I’m working on a bag of frozen raspberries my mom gave us from their raspberry bushes from last summer. I’ve got to get more when we visit in a few weeks! 🙂 We usually alternate between protein powder brands to try new things, so a while back, I finished off a container of the chocolate fudge Orgain and my husband got one of their cookies and cream, but once I finished the chocolate, we decided we’d get vanilla and I found a raw vegan vanilla one from Garden of Life. It’s pretty good and blends into things easily, but I’d be interested in trying Orgain’s vanilla protein next.
I used to love peanut butter toast! When I was growing up, my dad would make peanut butter and jelly toast sandwiches sometimes if he was in charge of breakfast for the morning (or pancakes or french toast for the not as busy mornings). Now I just don’t eat a ton of bread (not as much of a fan of it), so I never really think about it, but I have half a loaf of Ezekiel bread left in my freezer, so I know what I’m doing tomorrow morning!
Hi, Krista!
That’s a great idea adding extra macros to make it a meal! If I didn’t snack while making them, I’d do the same lol
Frozen raspberries are so good in smoothies, especially with pineapple!
I’ve been wanting to try the cookies and cream orgain for so long, but couldn’t find it anywhere! I’ve had the Garden of Life and like it as well. The Orgain’s vanilla is golden, so is their chocolate! YUM!
Lol so funny you mentioned this. I try not to eat the toast as much anymore, and go for a protein source. But, this morning, I went straight for a slice of peanut butter toast before my walk!
Do you like adding veggies?
I do sometimes!!
Which smoothie do you use
What do you mean?
Food for thought: http://staging-cleanlabelproject.kinsta.com/products/orgain-organic-meal-vanilla-bean-all-in-one-nutrition-powder/
oh man 😳
Wonder how they do these tests. Reading more and thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Thanks for posting! I am all about that smoothie life (seriously though, who doesn’t love a good smoothie)?
One of my favorite recently discovered smoothie “hacks” is adding in frozen zucchini. I feel like I never use all my zucchini when it’s fresh, so to avoid waste, I cut them in half, freeze them, and add one half to smoothies as an alternative to ice. I promise you CANNOT taste it, but it gives the smoothie a great, fluffy texture and provides more nutrients! Win-win!
I’ll do anything for a good smoothie 😉
Yes, I’ve been adding zucchini to my smoothie for years! You can’t taste it and it’s so smooth!!
That’s a lot of cals for a smoothie
It’s actually pretty low compared to most smoothies. Plus, it’s filled with healthy and nutritious ingredients. Our bodies live on calories! They are not a bad thing. 😉
Do you ever freeze your own fruit?
I do! Especially banana!
The key to freezing your own fruit is freezing it on a flat pan with parchment paper first. That way they don’t stick together! Once they’re frozen, you can throw them in a bag!
What would be a good vegetable to add as an apple replacement?
You could always try zucchini!
I am the same as you! My current smoothie recipe is a handful or two of spinach, unsweetened original almond milk, I spoonful of almond butter (GAMECHANGER), I scoop of vanilla protein powder, banana, and then whatever frozen fruit I’m feeling. Usually feeds two! I actually made it for a friend both mornings she stayed with me and she kept asking what my recipe was……….I was like uhhh I just eyeball everything.
Have you tried Vega protein powder? How does that compare to Orgain?
I’ve always topped my smoothies with almond butter, I may try adding mine in! Lol I usually eyeball it all as well
I have Vega and I think it’s pretty good! A bit overpriced!
I just have to tell you these pictures are BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!
1. I have a smoothie probably 5 x a week. I love them so much in the summer! In the winter I usually forget to drink them though.
2. My go-to smoothie always includes frozen bananas instead of ice because I love the creaminess!
3. I always love a good vanilla protein powder since it can be a little more versatile.
Thank you, Anastasia!!
I’m the same, and sometimes twice a day!!
A banana always adds extra creaminess! & totally agree about vanilla! Goes great with anything.
We made this and added three cups of spinach. You couldn’t taste the spinach and we enjoyed the Orgain.
Deb
Hi, Deb!
So happy to hear that you enjoyed and spinach is a great addition to this smoothie!
xo
Hey, Taralynn! I love your blog so dearly. I recently bought Orgain on your recommendation and really like it. Is there a place where you buy it most cheaply?
Recently, I’ve been buying it on Thrive Market! But I heard Costco and Amazon is the way to go!
Target too! It has been 20% multiple times too!
I definitely love smoothies!
My go-to base combo is a cup of unsweetened almond milk (or dark chocolate almond milk… yum!), a handful of ice (unless I have frozen bananas), one banana, 1 tsp matcha powder, and one scoop of orgain protein powder!
I LOVE adding a Tbsp of peanut butter to: dark chocolate almond milk, ice cubes, a banana, and the matcha powder! It’s the most delicious combination and such a creamy treat!
Probably not the best way to eat for a day, but I’ve definitely had two of these for two meals today. *shrugging emoji* You gotta do what feels right sometimes 😉
Hi, Hannah!!
Hope you’re having a great week 😊
Ohhh dark chocolate almond milk in smoothies? genius!
I LOVE peanut butter in smoothies as well. I don’t do it often because it’s so addicting.
I can totally have two smoothies in one day haha!
xo
Do you have smoothies daily? ——- Not yet, but I’m definitely getting there. I’ve been in Texas for the past 5 days for a conference and have been trying acai bowls and juices for breakfast or snacks instead.
What is your go-to smoothie formula? — I never measure, but frozen fruit, spinach, almond milk, ice and protein powder.
Chocolate or vanilla protein powder? BOTH! My hands down favorite smoothie so far is Quest chocolate protein powder, ice, water and a banana… SO DELICIOUS
Hope your week is going well!
Hi, Jenna!
Acai bowls are always good 😊
I hardly measure either! Unless it’s for a recipe on the blog.
That sounds delicious for sure!
Thanks for stopping by! xo
I am always worried about drinking smoothies because the liquid never seems to keep me full for long enough lol