Prepare: Smoothies for A Week

My hormones went haywire after I had Darcy. I lost 12ish kilograms in the first 2-3 weeks after his birth and then promptly put it all back on again in the space of 3 weeks. It was horrible! I was clueless as my diet and water intake had been really good, I hadn't been moving much, but it just didn't make sense.

I spoke to my Doctor and he ran several blood tests and it showed that yes, my hormones were way more out of whack than they should be after having a baby and it showed that my PCOS was well and truly out of control.

We are currently playing with my medication and I am now extra extra vigilant with my diet. This is where my smoothies are coming in. I try to have porridge for breakfast most days but on some school mornings that is a little hard seeing as school starts at 8am here.

So enter the humble smoothie. Just whack it in the blender/thermomix and away I go.

A grocery shopping day I usually come home, unpack the groceries and then do up a few bags of the following for some quick smoothies:

• Half a banana
• 10is blueberries
• 3-4 strawberries depending on size
• handful of spinach

I just add them to ziplock bags and pop them in the freezer. Then when it is time for a smoothie I just pull them out of the freezer and blend them up with 250-300mls of unsweetened almond milk and 2 tablespoons of oats.


You can find heaps of other smoothie recipes the I use here: 31 Days of Smoothies

Day 31: A Round up

This month has been fun, challenging a little there when I lost my smoothie mojo, but fun none the less. I did have to resort to some Pinterest style posts for a few days. but for the most part, I am happy to have shared over 25 different smoothie recipes.  I really hope you enjoyed this series too.

So without further ado here is a round up of all of the smoothie recipes over the past month.

Which one was your favourite?

Day 1: Banana Smoothie

Day 2: Watermelon, Blueberry and Banana Smoothie

Day 3: Kale, Apple and Maple Smoothie

Day 4: Banana, Orange and Spinach Smoothie

Day 5: Spinach, Carrot, Banana and Blueberry Smoothie

Day 6: Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

Day 7: Green Peanut Butter Smoothie

Day 8: Pina Colada with a Tweak. {Guest Post}

Day 9: Berry Smoothie

Day 10:Banana and Tahini Smoothie

Day 11:Mango Smoothie 

Day 12: Pineapple and Mango Smoothie

Day 13:Cucumber and Pineapple Smoothie

Day 14: Spinach, Banana and Strawberry Smoothie


Day 15: Banana, Blueberry & Lemon Smoothie (Guest Post)


Day 16: Berry, Orange and Spinach Smoothie


Day 17:  Apple, Strawberry & Rhubarb Smoothie (Guest Post)

Day 18:Watermelon and Orange Smoothie


Day 19: Power Smoothie {guest post}

Day 20: Choc Banana Smoothie

Day 21: Super Green Smoothie

Day 22: Mango and Banana Smoothie

Day 23: Lettuce Smoothies {The Pinterest Edition}

Day 24: Carrot and Orange Smoothie

Day 25: Beetroot Smoothies {The Pinterest Edition}

Day 26: Choc Blueberry Smoothie

Day 27: Banana Coconut and Cashew Smoothie

Day 28:Orange and Parsley Smoothie


Day 29: Banana, Orange and Parsley Smoothie

Day 30: The Pinterest Edition

I hope you enjoyed this series as much as I did!

Day 30: The Pinterest Edition

For the past three days I have been trying to get some fresh produce to put into my smoothies so that I could make something different to what I have already done over the last month. It hasn't happened.

One part of the 31 Days of Smoothies series was to challenge myself to try a different type of smoothie everyday over those 31 Days. It seems I gave more credit to my supermarket before I started this challenge.

I should have taken a photo of my supermarket produce department this morning, but I forgot my phone. It was so bare it wasn't funny.

And what was there would have been over a week old. It was sad.

Edited to add: I would love to be able to just pop down to the farmers market or a fruit and veg shop. We don't have those options available to us. We have one supermarket and nothing else. We are trying to establish a vegetable garden, we have only been living here for 3 months and that takes time.

So today I am having to resort to Pinterest to share some ideas for future smoothies.

Source: blog.freepeople.com via Amy- on Pinterest

Source: philzendia.com via Maggie on Pinterest

Source: wellandgoodnyc.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: loveandnourish2.blogspot.com via Carolyn on Pinterest

This post is a part of my 31 Days of Smoothies Series.

Day 29: Banana, Orange and Parsley Smoothie

Ingredients: 

1 Handful of Flat Leaf Parsley
1 Banana
1 Orange
1 cup of cold water
1 cup of Ice
1 tsp of Camu Camu powder

You know the drill- Blitz in a blender and enjoy!

This post is a part of my 31 Days of Smoothies Series.

Day 28: Orange and Parsley Smoothie

I finally ventured to the shops the shops to stock up on some more Parsly (I am still waiting for our herb garden to establish) but would you believe it, there were no lemons! And since I used the lemons on had for dinner the other night I had to change my plans. So here it is...

My Orange and Parsley Smoothie! It doesn't look to flash, but it tastes great!

Ingredients: 

1 Handful of Flat Leaf Parsley
1 Orange
1 cup of cold water
1 cup of Ice
1 tsp of Camu Camu powder

You know the drill- Blitz in a blender and enjoy!

This post is a part of my 31 Days of Smoothies Series.

Day 27: Banana, Coconut and Cashew Smoothie

This 31 Days of Smoothies Series is winding down and well I think I have lost my smoothie mojo.

Never fear, I still have a stella smoothie to share with you today.

It's a simple one!

Ingredients:

1 Banana
3/4 cup of ice
1 cup milk
2 tsp of Coconut Cashew Cream

You know the drill- Blitz in a blender and enjoy!

This post is a part of my 31 Days of Smoothies Series.

Day 26: Choc Blueberry Smoothie

I woke up this morning with plans to have a Lemon and Parsely Smoothie. Until I opened the fridge and the parsley was nowhere to be found... Well that put a spanner in the works now didn't it?!

So I had to rethink my plans. I checked the freezer and the pantry and decided on this little number.

Ingredients:

1 cup of frozen blueberries
1 cup of milk of your choice
1 tsp raw cacao powder

Blitz in blender and enjoy! This one is a thick one so you will probably need a straw!

This post is a part of my 31 Days of Smoothies Series. 

Day 25: Beetroot Smoothies {The Pinterest Edition}

I really wanted to try some beetroot smoothies this week, but I couldn't get any fresh beetroot at the supermarket. So it will have wait until I can venture to the coast to do some shopping but I thought I would share some pins instead.

Source: stylenest.co.uk via Amy- on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Amy- on Pinterest

Source: delicious-blog-lucie.blogspot.cz via Amy- on Pinterest

Source: eatyourbooks.com via Amy- on Pinterest

Source: coffeeandvanilla.com via Amy- on Pinterest

This post is a part of my 31 Days of Smoothies Series. 

 

Day 24: Carrot and Orange Smoothie

I am back on the smoothie bandwagon this morning, and am I using up things in my fruit bowl and vegetable crisper in preparation for our monthly shop coming up soon.

It's a simple smoothie but really refreshing, which is just what I needed this morning!

Ingredients:

1 Carrot
2 Oranges- peeled
1 teaspoon of Camu Camu powder
1 table spoon of chia seeds
handful of ice

Chop carrot in small chunks and blitz in the blender first. Add Oranges, Chia Seeds, Camu Camu Powder and Ice and blitz again.

The only thing left to do is enjoy!

This post is a part of my 31 Days of Smoothies Series.


I'm linking up with:

Day 23: Lettuce Smoothies {The Pinterest Edition}

I am kind of losing my smoothie mojo at the moment. Befor starting this 31 Days Of Smoothies I would probably have 2-3 smoothies a week, now I am having them daily and whilst I love my smoothies, I need a break sometimes.

So today is a no smoothie day here. The kids have requested pancakes for breakfast and I think I will be treating myself to some too.

So instead I thought I would share some lettuce smoothie recipes from pinterest. I have never had a lettuce smoothie but after seeing these pins I think there will be some in my future.

Source: blog.valzelyaeva.com via Amy- on Pinterest

Source: veganlovlie.com via Amy- on Pinterest

Source: foodgawker.com via Amy- on Pinterest

Source: greenthickies.com via Amy- on Pinterest

Source: veggielovinfriends.blogspot.com via Amy- on Pinterest

Source: citygurlsecrets.com via Amy- on Pinterest

This post is a part of my 31 Days of Smoothies Series. 

Day 22: Mango and Banana Smoothie

It's the weekend, so my smoothies need to satisfy the whole family. The kids have been doing good with the green smoothies. B, not so much, so today I went for a more 'traditional' colour of smoothie but still used some 'un-traditional' ingredients...

Ingredients:

1/2 mango
1 banana
1/2  lime
1 orange
1 celery stalk
1 table spoon of chia seeds
1 teaspoon of Camu Camu powder
200mL water

This post is a part of my 31 Days of Smoothies Series.

Day 21: Super Green Smoothie

After my Choc Banana smoothie from yesterday I thought I would try a super GREEN smoothie today. And I am glad I did! This one is packed full of all the good stuff.

I used the Rainbow Superfood Blend again, plus chia seeds, but I have already told you about my love of Chia Seeds.

The Rainbow Superfood blend is packed full of 'the worlds most nutritious raw foods'. So I am looking forward to reaping it's benefits in the near future!

Now today's smoothie is especially green, but please don't let that turn you off! Give it a try, you will be pleasantly surprised! 

Ingredients:

1 stalk of celery
1 carrot
2 handfuls of baby spinach
1 banana
1 orange
1 table spoon of chia seeds
2 table spoons of Rainbow Superfood Blend
Cup of Water

Blitz in blender and enjoy!

This post is a part of my 31 Days of Smoothies Series.

Day 20: Choc Banana Smoothie

Earlier this week I received a long awaited delivery of my order from Loving Earth. Well I say long awaited because it felt like forever for it to arrive when really it was less than a fortnight.

I had been crafting a wish list of items from them for a long time, and I had been saving my pennies so that I could put it a substantial order to make it worth while.

Two such items on my wish list were Rainbow Superfood Blend and Organic Raw Cacao Powder.

So of course I had to include them in today's smoothie! And I have recently noticed that green smoothies have been receiving some negative feedback, so today I thought I would ditch the green and just go with a simple Banana and Chocolate Smoothie.

But I did want to mention green smoothies today. About 2 years ago I never thought I would ever ever ever try a Green Smoothie. I mean spinach, kale or chard in a smoothie? YUCK! But then one day I thought, what the hell. I am always banging on to the kids that they need to try things so why not take my own advise and give it a go. And I can honestly say that I have not had one bad green smoothie yet. The trick is to balance the flavours. If you are just starting out in green smoothies, stick to 'safe' flavours like this Berry, Orange and Spinach Smoothie, or even this Green Peanut Butter Smoothie. But please don't discount them. They are a great way to pack a lot of nutrients into one meal and are actually really filling.

Anyway, back to today's smoothie!

Ingredients:

1 Banana
1 table spoon of Organic Raw Cacao Powder
1 table spoon of Rainbow Super Food Blend
1 cup of milk of your choice

Blitz in blender and enjoy

This post is a part of my 31 Days of Smoothies Series. 

Day 19: Power Smoothie {guest post}

Today I am super excited to have Fiona Hogan guest posting for me today.

Fiona is a Naturopath and you can find her blogging here or on facebook here. Please pop over and say hi!

This smoothie is full of antioxidants and great for energy. The Protein keeps me full, its important for muscle maintenance, immune system and loads more! The coconut oil is great for my metabolism, my skin and my gut – it is anti-microbial for the gut. Maca powder gives more energy and regulates hormones. The cacao is superb for energy, metabolism, and anti-oxidants. The LSA (Linseed, Sunflower seeds, Almonds) is full of fibre, good fats and will feed the good bugs in my gut.

 

Ingredients:

1 banana
1/4 cup frozen raspberries
1 scoop organic rice protein
1 tsp coconut oil
1 heaped tsp maca powder
1 tbs ground cacao nibs (or 1/2 tbs raw cacao powder)
1 tablespoon ground linseeds or LSA
1 bottle (280ml) of Real Coconut Water or plain water

Method: 

Pop all ingredients into your blender or use a stick blender, until smooth and pour into a long glass. It’s a perfect breakfast smoothie that will keep your energy up, maintain your day and improve your health. The key is to have everything ready to go. Once you have made it a few times it will be lightening fast to make. Trust me. It‘s also worth the little extra effort (yes it does require more effort than pouring sugary processed cereal in to a bowl with un-natural milk to accompany it does or chucking two white piece of bread in the toaster) but well worth it. Enjoy!


Don't forget to visit Fiona over on her blog and say hi! 

This post is a part of my 31 Days of Smoothies Series. 

Day 18: Watermelon and Orange Smoothie

This smoothie really is as simple as the title suggests. Watermelon, Orange, a tsp of chia seeds and some ice and you have a smoothie!

This smoothie was simply brought about because well our local supermarket was severely lacking in fresh fruit and vege when I went in to stock up on super supplies. The watermelon has only been in the fridge a day and really needs to me used ASAP!  Hence it's inclusion in today's smoothie.

Even though this smoothie has very simple origins. It still tastes great and is super refreshing. Which is just what I needed after trying to go for a walk with Ethan in the pram after school drop off. He just doesn't like going for a walk after school drop off and spends the whole time screaming at me and telling me we are going the wrong way!

Ingredients:

Quarter of Watermelon
two oranges
cup of ice
1 tsp chia seeds

Blitz in blender and enjoy.

This post is a part of my 31 Days of Smoothies Series.