Smoothie Recipes for Energy and Vitality

Most of us wander into our kitchens rather groggily first thing in the morning, and reach for a cup of coffee or tea for a caffeine kick. Instead of starting your day with a caffeinated jolt, consider sipping something a little more nourishing and rejuvenating.

These juice and smoothie recipes are as good for you as they are delicious, and can be enjoyed as either a wake-up tonic or an afternoon refresher. Live nutrients and enzymes in juices and smoothies feed every cell in your body, while liquids from the fruits you’re using keep you hydrated, and that’s a far better method of staying awake and energetic than knocking back all those dehydrating coffees.

What you’ll need: a juicer, a blender or food processor, fresh fruits and vegetables, milks, herbs, and spices as the recipes require.

1. Morning Sunshine Smoothie

Packed with vitamin C, this sweet and tangy citrus smoothie will inspire smiles on even the rainiest morning.

2-3 freshly-juiced tangerines

1 ruby red grapefruit (juiced)

A handful of frozen strawberries

Peel and juice the tangerines with the grapefruit, and puree the blended juice with the frozen strawberries.

2. Mango Blueberry Bliss Smoothie

1 mango, peeled and cubed

1 pint of blueberries

1 banana (frozen or fresh)

1 teaspoon of maple syrup.

1 cup non-dairy milk of choice (almond, soy, or coconut are recommended)

Puree all ingredients together in a blender, and enjoy. A handful of chopped ice can be added if desired.

3. Minted Fruit Cocktail Juice

1 apple, peeled, cored, and sliced

1 orange, peeled and divided

1/2 cup pineapple

2 cups watermelon, cubed and seeded

1 teaspoon lemon juice

A small sprig of fresh mint

Juice the apple and orange first, followed by the pineapple. Transfer juice to a blender, and add the watermelon, lemon juice, and mint. Puree until smooth.

4. Berry Boost Smoothie

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup blackberries

1/2 cup cherries

1 banana

1 cup almond milk

1 tablespoon flax oil

1 teaspoon honey

dash of cinnamon

Blend all of the ingredients together until smooth and creamy.

5. Green Goddess Juice

1/2 a cucumber, peeled and sliced

1 stalk of celery

1 handful of kale

1 apple, peeled and sliced

1 pear, peeled and sliced

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Juice all of the ingredients in order, ending with the lemon juice. If you find that the juice is too thick, pour a bit of water into your juicer to get the last bits of goodness out, and dilute the end product.

6. The Iron Maiden Juice

This juice is ideal for women who might feel weak or depleted after menstruating or giving birth.

2 large beets, peeled and sliced

2 carrots, trimmed

1 small apple, peeled, cored, and sliced

a handful of spinach

1/4 cup of water

Juice all of the ingredients in order, ending with a bit of water. This is an iron-rich, replenishing tonic that’s also a liver cleanser.

7. Strawberry Fields Forever Smoothie

1 cup strawberries

1/2 a frozen banana, sliced

1 cup coconut milk

1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup

Puree all of the ingredients in your blender, and adjust sweetener to taste (if desired).

8. Peachy Keen Smoothie

1 large peach, pitted, peeled, and sliced

1/2 cup red strawberries or raspberries

1/2 cup peach or berry low-fat yoghurt

1/4 cup milk (dairy or non)

Puree all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Serve cold, and enjoy.

9. Vitamin C Booster Shot Juice

1 cup blackberries

1 cup currants (any colour)

1 orange, peeled and divided

1 tangerine, peeled and divided

1 kiwi, peeled and sliced

1/2 teaspoon lime juice

Juice all of the ingredients, and serve immediately.

10. Easy Being Green Juice

2 green apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1 cup honeydew melon, peeled and chopped

1 cup seedless green grapes

1 handful spinach or kale

1 kiwi, peeled and sliced

1/2 a cucumber, peeled and sliced

Put all of these ingredients through your juicer in order, and drink immediately. It’s best if the fruit has been in the fridge for a while so the drink is nice and cold.