I love sneaking health and nutrients into refreshing, sweet, and dessert-like smoothies.  As my sister says, “I feel like I’m indulging in something I should feel guilty about.”  Smoothies can fool the pickiest of eaters… yes, I’m even talking about your 3 year old who will only eat chicken nuggets.

 

In order to have success in making your smoothie healthy and creamy, here are some absolute must’s:

 

    • 1) You must… uh hmm… must have a quality blender!  I, myself, am a Vitamix girl.  I know they’re a little pricey, but worth every. single. penny.  Here’s a post on why I decided on a Vitamix.  If you’re not ready to take the plunge on a Vitamix, others have had success with either a Ninja or a BlendTec.    Whichever you choose, I promise it will be used daily.  I’ve made baby food, puree soups, ground wheat and other grains, and of course made rockin’ smoothie recipes.  Your health is worth investing in a quality blender!  

 

 

  •  2) Your vegetables and fruits pass through lots of hands, dirt, pesticides, and other contaminates before reaching your lovely home.  Wash your vegetables!  I don’t mean rinse under water.  I mean scrub those bad boys.  It takes 10 extra seconds and removes lots of nasty stuff from your fruits and veggies.  I have tried numerous of vegetable washes and keep coming back to Fit: Fruit and Vegetable Wash.  Here’s a post on why you should wash your vegetables.

 

  • 3) Sneak at least one vegetable into every smoothie.  You can play around with different vegetable and fruit combinations.  If it’s too sweet, add another vegetable.  If it’s not sweet enough, add more fruit or frozen fruit.  You can tweak and have fun in creating your own healthy smoothie.  Here’s a quick guide on how to make healthy smoothies.

 

  •  4) If you can afford organic, purchase only organic fruits and vegetables.  I started tasting the chemicals absorbed into regular produce.  Especially with carrots and apples, purchase organic.

 

 

how to make healthy smoothies- No Diets Allowed

****Update**** I have had numerous comments, questions, and concerns regarding apple seeds and their safety.  The seeds contain a controversial compound called vitamin B17.  Apple seeds are a good source of potassium, magnesium, and are high in protein according to the “International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition”.  Some research show apple seeds may treat and prevent cancer.  However, you should not eat a large amount (like a cup full) of apple seeds at one time.  The compound amygdalin (vitamin B17) is a potentially toxic cyanide-containing molecule if too many apple seeds are eaten. There are usually only 3 to 5 apple seeds per apple.  To see any toxicity, you would need to eat about 24 apples worth of apple seeds at one time. Signs of toxicity to this compound include headache, nausea, fatigue and lethargy.  However, apple seed toxicity is very rare.  With this information, please make the best decision regarding whether or not to include the apple seeds in your smoothies.  Like I said, apple seeds are very controversial.

 

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