Sensational smoothies

Most of you probably know through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. that I absolutely LOVE smoothies! (I mean, the name of my blog IS Smoothies and Sneakers :-) ) I'm on the run quite frequently and smoothies are a great option for me. They are quick, easy, perfect for on-the -go, and a great way to get in your fruits and veggies! I love the versatility of smoothies. You can experiment with different fruits, veggies, liquids, etc. I make one almost every morning, throw it in the freezer while I'm getting ready so it stays extra cold, then stash it in my car so it's ready when I'm finished working out!

Here are a couple of my favorite smoothie recipes:
Berry smoothie
-8 oz unsweetened almond milk
-1/2 frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries (I use the 365 brand from Whole Foods)

The Green Monster (yes, it's a green smoothie... don't let that stop you from trying it! When you add greens to your smoothie, you can't even taste them!)
-6 oz (you can add more if it seems a little thick) unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 frozen banana
- a big handful of spinach or kale
-1 tbsp nut butter (I like Justin's Honey Peanut Butter)
-you can add a dollop of yogurt to make it creamier if you choose. I prefer to leave it out.


One of my smoothie secrets? I almost always use half of a frozen banana in every smoothie (as you can probably tell from the recipes.) They add a nice creamy texture without having to add yogurt and most of the time they eliminate the need for ice. When I buy bananas, I peel them, cut them in half, and put them in a container in the freezer that way I always have some ready to go!

Some other smoothie secrets:
- When using fruits, try to stick to two types per smoothie. You don't want to create a sugar bomb. As a general rule of thumb for myself, with the exception of the green smoothie, I try to make sure at least one fruit is a berry.
-Frozen fruit is AWESOME. Again, elimates those ice cubes!
- Cottage cheese is also an excellent addition! It sounds gross, but it really makes for a great texture.
-If it does seem a little runny,  you can still throw in a couple of ice cubes.
- Have fun and experiment! It's pretty hard to mess up a smoothie ; )

Do you have a favorite smoothie recipe? Feel free to share below!