Berry Banana Smoothie

Decades of Smoothie Making: Our Journey to Daily Smoothies

I can’t count how many smoothies we’ve made over the years, but it’s safe to say it’s in the thousands. My husband and I began making smoothies almost daily when we were first married, and over 20 years later, we haven’t stopped. In those early days, we played around with flavors, starting with frozen fruit and some type of liquid, usually rice or soy milk. We often added a mystery ingredient—cinnamon, chili pepper, or even tamarind. Our smoothie-making adventures got pretty creative, and we even dreamed of pre-packaging smoothie “pouches” and marketing them. Now, seeing all the smoothie options in freezer aisles and delivery companies, I realize we were onto something! Oh well…

Daily Smoothies: A Family Tradition

Fast forward over 20 years and three kids later, and we’re still making smoothies—literally every single day. Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, a snack, or even a quick dinner paired with a frittata, smoothies are a staple in our home. Our trusted Vita-Mix blender, which we’ve had for almost 15 years, has been an essential part of our kitchen and has proven to be worth every penny. A few years ago, we were gifted an upgraded version with multiple speeds, which has been a game-changer for making soups and sauces—high and low speeds just don’t cut it for those tasks!

No Measuring Needed: The Art of Eyeballing Smoothie Ingredients

The funny thing is, in all these years, no one in our family has ever measured out ingredients. We’ve all become pros at eyeballing the right amounts to create smoothies that perfectly fill two tall glasses for a meal or 4-5 small glasses for a snack. In our house, there’s no such thing as making a smoothie for just one person. It’s a family affair, and we’ve mastered the art of blending together nutritious, delicious creations without ever needing a recipe.

Our Go-To: The Beautiful Purple Smoothie

One of our favorite smoothies to make is this beautiful purple smoothie, packed with vitamins and minerals. Blueberries not only give it a vibrant color but are also high in fiber and vitamin C, making them a nutritious and delicious addition. We also toss in a handful of spinach, which adds a boost of vitamin C, folate, and iron without altering the flavor. Bananas contribute a healthy dose of potassium as well as fiber, while a dollop of Greek yogurt brings protein and creaminess to the mix. For an extra boost of protein, we like to add a scoop of collagen powder. This smoothie is not only satisfying but also a perfect addition for starting the day or enjoying a midday snack.

A Blender That’s Stood the Test of Time

After nearly two decades of daily use, it’s clear that our Vita-Mix has been a kitchen investment that’s paid off. This powerhouse blender has become an indispensable tool in our kitchen, helping us create everything from smoothies to soups and sauces. If you’re considering adding a high-quality blender to your kitchen, I can confidently say that it’s worth the investment, especially if you’re as committed to making homemade smoothies as we are.

Cheers,

Christina

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Berry Banana Smoothie

This beautiful purple smoothie is both satisfying and packed with nutritious vitamins and minerals. Blueberries are high in fiber and vitamin C and the spinach gives the smoothie a boost of nutrition with vitamin C, folate, and iron. Bananas give a healthy dose of potassium as well as fiber. And a little Greek yogurt for protein makes this a perfect way to start the day or midday snack.

Course: Beverages

Servings: 2

Author: Christina Shoup

Equipment

• High powered blender such as the Vitamix is key to making a smoothie with the best consistency.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• ¼ cup plain, whole milk Greek yogurt
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup frozen blueberries
• 2 handfuls spinach
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed meal
• 1 tsp honey
• ice cubes

Instructions

• Place ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.