Prep Time: 15 minutes(per smoothie)

Cook Time: ~60 seconds

Smoothies are fun. They are versatile and delicious. I just bought a Nutrininja and will hopefully be able to save up for a Vitamix in the near(ish) future. My nutrininja purchase, along with my recent transition to a plant based diet, have led me to make quite a few smoothies lately. Here are three recipes that are pretty great.

People ask me all the time what the key is to a good smoothie. Although there are countless tips, the most important one is to use great ingredients. At the end of the day, if your fruits aren't ripe, your smoothie will be subpar. It's pretty simple. Good fruit = good smoothie.

MOCHA BANANA SMOOTHIE:

1 serving:

Ingredients:

1 small ripe banana, sliced and frozen overnight

3 tbs brewed coffee

2 tbs Justin's maple almond butter

1 tsp maple syrup

3/4 cup almond milk (buy almond milk without the ingredient, "carrageenan")

1 1/4 cups ice

1. Put all ingredients in the blender. Pulse until larger chunks are broken up, and then gradually increase speed. Then, blend on high until your smoothie reaches a smooth texture.

2. Top with some cacao nibs or shredded coconut for a superfood punch!

KALE SMOOTHIE:

1 serving:

Ingredients:

1/3 cup massaged kale(***see note***)

1/2 cup diced fresh/juicy mango, frozen overnight

1/2 cup diced fresh/juicy pineapple, frozen overnight

1/2 ripe banana, sliced and frozen overnight

1/2 ripe avocado

3/4 cup almond milk (buy almond milk without the ingredient, carrageenan)

1. Put all ingredients in the blender. Pulse until larger chunks are broken up, and then gradually increase speed. Then, blend on high until your smoothie reaches a smooth texture. If your blender refuses to work, add a splash of almond milk and it should come together.

2. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

***Note: massaging your kale with the juice of one lemon will break it down and make it less bitter. Remove the ribs and then massage your kale in a bowl for 3 minutes or until the kale shrinks in volume and turns a darker green color.

DRAGONFRUIT SMOOTHIE:

(I'll admit... the fresh/dried dragonfruit were both expensive. They were a splurge. But the fruit is so pretty that I couldn't resist.)

1 serving:

Ingredients:

Meat from 1/2 dragonfruit

1/2 cup diced fresh/juicy mango, frozen overnight

1/2 cup diced fresh/juicy pineapple, frozen overnight

1/2 ripe banana, sliced and frozen overnight

1/4 dried pitaya soaked in 3/4 cup almond milk overnight (buy almond milk without the ingredient, carrageenan)

1. Place all ingredients in the blender. Pulse until larger chunks are broken up, and then gradually increase speed. Then, blend on high until your smoothie reaches a smooth texture. If your blender refuses to work, add a splash of almond milk and it should come together.

2. Top with fresh blueberries!