4 Sensational Smoothies Recipes You Have To Try

Green smoothies, protein smoothies, smoothie bowls, we know you've probably had your fair share of good-for-you and better-tasting smoothies. As we collectively crawl out of winter hibernation (at least up here in the Northern hemi), we're in the mood for fresh ingredients and bright flavors to embrace the warmer weather vibes.

What better way to do that than with some fun smoothie recipes, right? We've got a few tricks up our sleeves with these new recipes that pack a seriously nutrient-dense punch thanks to some surprising ingredients.... keep scrolling to see if you can guess what they are!

4 sensational smoothie recipes you have to try…

1. The Super Green recipe

What you’ll need:

• 1/2 banana

• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen pineapple

• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries

• 1 cup dandelion greens

• 1 TBSP ground flaxseed

• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

• 1/4 cup milk of choice

We recommend adding liquids first, then any leafy greens before topping with softer ingredients like yogurt and fruits to achieve the best consistency.

Did you guess Dandelion Greens as the surprise ingredient?

Did you know that all parts of the dandelion are edible? The root contains starchy substances that are thought to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and something called taraxacin, which helps stimulate digestion. The flowers of dandelions are less frequently used in foods and more commonly found in the aptly-named aperitif: dandelion wine. But when it comes to this smoothie mix-in we're talking about a dandelion's leafy greens.

They'll give you a healthy dose of calcium, a good supply of essential minerals such as iron, copper, potassium, and magnesium (to name a few), and loads of healthy antioxidants such as Vitamins A and C. What’s more, dandelion greens are a major player in detoxification, as they help cleanse and renew the liver. Oh and one more thing, you’ll get more of a protein punch from dandelion greens than you will from an equal serving of spinach! Dandelion greens are most easily found at farmer's markets or some health food stores, and it's best to look for unblemished, dark green leaves.

Due to the lack of research around dandelion greens in pregnancy, you may want to avoid this if expecting or while breastfeeding. Some good substitutes for this recipe include mustard greens or watercress.

2. Pseudo-CBD smoothie recipe

What you’ll need:

• 1 frozen bananas

• 1 cup whole milk (or milk of choice)

• 1/3 cup plain yogurt

• 1 TBSP high-quality cocoa powder

• 1 TBSP hemp hearts or seeds

Blend until you reach your desired consistency! You can always add more liquid if needed, so we recommend starting with a bit less than recommended.

Don't worry mama, there is no CBD in this smoothie, but it does feature the surprise ingredient of hemp seeds (which do not contain THC or CBD).

Chances are you've already had hemp hearts or seeds in your smoothies, but if you haven't tried them, here's why you should; hemp seeds are full of healthy fats, high in fiber, and boast a wonderfully nutty flavor, and they are one of the few complete proteins available for vegetarians. This means that the protein source you get from hemp seeds contains a sufficient amount of the 9 essential amino acids that humans must eat, as our bodies are unable to produce them naturally. For a tiny little thing, it sure does packs a punch.

Hemp seeds also contain a healthy dose of magnesium, a vital mineral that helps muscles to relax and can increase feelings of calmness and help promote better sleep, maintain healthy blood sugar levels, regulate blood pressure, and may reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis.

3. Kombucha-Ya-Ya smoothie recipe

What you’ll need:

• 3/4 cup fresh or frozen mango

• 3/4 cup fresh or frozen raspberries

• 1 TBSP raw honey

• 1 frozen banana

• 1 cup kombucha

If you need to thin this recipe out a bit but don't want to add more kombucha you can always add 2 TBSP of cool water at a time and blend until you reach the right consistency.

Kombucha... in a smoothie? We know it sounds a bit crazy, but this surprise ingredient has a lot going for it.

Kombucha is technically a colony of bacteria and yeast (sounds yucky but we promise it’s good for you). As a probiotic, it works to keep gut bacteria healthy and your digestive system running smoothly. You’ll also find glucuronic acid in kombucha tea, which combines with toxins in your body, converting them into soluble components that you can safely excrete. That’s detox in a drink! And as far as antioxidants go – kombucha has a lot of them, as you’ll benefit from Vitamins E and C, polyphenols, and beta-carotenes.

We don’t necessarily recommend taking a swig though – or even a sniff – of this fermented tea. It’s a unique flavor (imagine cider vinegar with soda water fizzy-ness and a touch of cough syrup?). Our solution is to add it to your smoothies, masking the taste with simple greens or plenty of fruit, while still capitalizing on the nutritional goodness. Your morning smoothie may be a bit fizzier than normal – but give it a try, you just might love it.

Similar to dandelion greens, there are no significant studies on the safety of Kombucha during pregnancy. Since it is not often pasteurized and has a low amount of alcohol, it is recommended to avoid kombucha during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. A good substitute for this recipe is natural, pasteurized Kefir or Greek yogurt(simply add milk or water to reach desired consistency).

4. Fiber Factor smoothie recipe

What you’ll need:

• 1/3 cup plain yogurt

• 1/2 cup almond milk

• 1 cup cooked plain quinoa

• 1/2 cup blueberries

• 1 small pear, deseeded and diced

• 1 tsp maple syrup

• Pinch of cinnamon

• Pinch of turmeric

• Pinch of ginger

You can modify or leave out the spices to your liking, they just add a wonderful depth to this smoothie recipe!

Be honest with us, have you actually ever put quinoa in your smoothie?

Quinoa can help you start your mornings off on the right foot. It's made its way into a lot of breakfast-based meals already (our poached eggs and quinoa cakes recipe is a team favorite) and many people use it as an oatmeal alternative. And now we're recommending you take those unseasoned quinoa leftovers and pop them in your blender!

Here's why: quinoa is a plant-based complete protein and getting a healthy serving of protein in your diet is a great way to set your energy levels for the day and avoid that midday crash that you get with a carb-based breakfast. Also high in magnesium, iron, and calcium, we just love this little wholegrain (although, technically, it's a seed). The last bit to know: it's a good source of fiber, which is critical for improving bowel function and digestive health.

Let us know if you give these recipes (and their surprise ingredients) a try by commenting below!

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