Making smoothies in a Thermomix is so quick and easy. I’m finding since having my TM that I tend to literally drink my fruit more than actually eat it! Consequently I end up consuming more too! I find having a smoothie is a very convenient breakfast to have if I'm rushing to get out the door. Every smoothie I make is always different – it’s just whatever I have on hand that needs to be used up! I always add yoghurt to my fruit smoothies which I find makes them much more enjoyable. I also add a tray of ice cubes and I blitz for at least a minute on speed 10. The ice is very beneficial as it helps break down the fibre. Whenever I see fruit on special I stock up, wash and freeze it, which is great then to have on hand in the winter months.
Fruit and vegetable smoothies can be an easy way to nourish our bodies with essential nutrients. The best way to know the exact ingredients in your smoothie is to make them yourself! All you need is fruit and/or vegetables and a base, such as water, milk or yoghurt. Making your own smoothies can help prevent fruit and/or vegetables from going to waste, while providing benefits that will keep you on the right track towards good health.
I highly recommend you watching “Fat Sick and Nearly Dead” which is a great documentary. The documentary focuses on a guy named Joe, who had an autoimmune condition that caused a body rash for which he took a huge amount of medications. He also ate terribly and did not exercise at all. He decided to make a drastic change, and went on a 60 day juice cleanse, which helped him lose an enormous amount of weight which cleared up his condition and gave him a new lease on life.
Health benefits of smoothies are summarised well below:
(Source: https://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/juicing-smoothies-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html)
"Unlike juices, smoothies retain all the fibre of whole raw fruits and vegetables. Eating fibre is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to prevent disease because it helps the body to eliminate waste materials and toxins. Benefits of smoothies include the following:
• Improved digestion and elimination: fibre is the one key factor in the body’s ability to eliminate waste on a regular basis.
• Weight loss: When used as part of a low-fat, low-sugar diet, vegetable smoothies provide pure nutrients to your cells and bulk from the fibre, which makes you feel full.
• Healthy substitute for empty-calorie drinks and snacks: Smoothies’ fibre and other slow-digesting ingredients (like nuts, seeds, or yogurt) allow them to stay with you longer and satisfy you more than coffee, soft drink, or other drinks.
• Meal replacement: Smoothies are high-nutrient options. If you add small amounts of protein and even some grain to a vegetable smoothie, you can build that drink into a satisfying meal replacement."
On my ThermoFun facebook page I asked the question of what people like to put in their smoothies. I have included their comments below for you to get inspired or to give you new ideas.
Denise: I chop up banana, mango, pineapple, whatever fruit I find on special or takes my fancy and freeze it in snap lock bags. I also freeze baby spinach... in the morning when making my coffee I put a handful of frozen spinach a handful of banana and a handful of some other fruit and a cup of coconut water...let it sit until I am ready to leave and blitz it for about 35 seconds fill my large cup with the lid and straw I got from Red dot and drive off to work! I have put avocado in it but find it a little rich for me. I also use a product called vital greens but this is something I do to get more vitamins in me, as I know I do not eat enough greens throughout the day! Today I had banana, pineapple and strawberries, it was divine!
Denise: a green apple in smoothies is nice, I find I have to blend it a little longer to blend the skin. I haven't frozen apples though!
Nikki: 1 banana, 6 strawberries, ice, water, 2 handfuls spinach - good one to start off with and ease in.
Kristin: Spinach, kale, celery, cucumber, apple, orange, lemon and ice, Water or coconut water as the base then some days a good bit of ginger, other days to make it green and creamy coconut cream or milk, and or frozen banana. Other fruit like mango and kiwi fruit are great. Also can grind up any seeds or nuts before you start to add extra goodness.
Lily: Watermelon and fresh mint leaves, can be strained if you prefer it pulp free. Or bananas, water and 1 kale leaf. Or fresh squeezed Orange juice and a handful of basil blended til smooth.
Esther: Celery, ginger, baby spinach, kale, 2 apples, orange, ½ lemon, cucumber, coconut water. Blend and strain through a nut milk bag.
Melita: 1 red apple, ½ green apple, 1 orange, ½ lime, handful of baby spinach, 1 cucumber. I sometimes add some pineapple and mint leaves. Serves 2-3. Delicious!
Michelle: 1 Mango, 1 passion fruit, good handful of spinach, mango nectar, coconut water & coconut milk and lots of ice. Yummy!
Prudence: Baby spinach, parsley, carrot, frozen banana, orange, frozen mango, chia seeds, pepitas and some chilled filtered water. Yum. Kids loved it too.
Sophia: adding parsley to your green juices adds loads iron!
Ebony: ¼ avocado, ½ green apple, cucumber, handful spinach, banana, coconut water and ice or orange, pineapple, kiwi, parsley, spinach, coconut water and ice.
Kate: 2green apples, 1 Lebanese cucumber, 1 celery stick, handful baby spinach, mint to your liking and ice - I have it thick with all fibre bits, but you can strain it. Enjoy!
Mandy: I usually do frozen banana, berries, mango a handful of baby spinach, water, chia seeds and lime juice and blend until smooth. Or without the berries but with fresh kiwi (only half as it has a strong flavour) and a green apple.
Paula: ½ Orange, ½ apple, ¼ lemon, 2 celery sticks, 2 handfuls of spinach, fresh parsley, knob of ginger, 150mls of water and ice. Yum!
Erin: baby spinach, pineapple, green grapes, fresh orange juice
Tania: Think protein and healthy fats. They keep you feeling satisfied longer. Almond milk is a great base, add avocado, other seeds, and then your greens and fruit of choice.
Kathy: add some cashews, almonds, chia seeds and/or oats to make it more filling.
Antonita: Pineapple juice, spinach, kale, mango and banana, flax seeds and ice.
Jasmine: Add avocado or banana to your normal green smoothie to make it more filling.
Michelle: Spinach, coconut water, mango nectar or mango, passion fruit, banana, and ice. Yum!
Megan: Banana or mango with cashew, pepita. Coconut oil and milk.
Canela: Something with oats will fill you up I like banana, berries, oats, kale and almond milk.
If you have a favourite smoothie that you would like to share, we'd love you to tell us about it in the comment area below.
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Megan T says
I normally never eat fruit because I'm too lazy to cut it up. But, I do like a breakfast smoothie. I add a tsp of Maca Powder (Vit C and B1, 2, 6 and 12, protein and fibre), 1 tsp psyllium husk (fibre), 1 tsp Mesquite (blood sugar stabiliser, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc and amino acid lysine) plus 2 tsp Vital Greens powder (too many goodies to list).
Fruits that I prefer are banana and kiwi or apple and blueberry. Instead of using nut milk, I add either soaked cashews or almonds and filtered water then blend together in the Thermo.
thermofun says
Wow Megan that sounds soooo healthy and yummy! Thank you for sharing! :)