Hello my lovely readers! Today, I’m sharing a delicious smoothie recipe that I also featured in my spring magazine. As you may have already noticed, I’m a HUGE fan of smoothies! And why is that? It’s because I’m usually lazy to have a proper sit-down breakfast in the morning, so a smoothie is a quick way to get all the nutrition I need to start my day. Today’s smoothie is rich in antioxidants and fibre. It’s also a great way to add some leafy greens to your diet without hiding them with sugar-laden fruit juices.

There was a time when the only smoothie I would make was a strawberry & banana smoothie, but things have changed now. I’m always experimenting with new ingredients to jazz things up.  Here are some of my favourite things to use to change up my smoothie routine:

1. SPROUTS
Sprouts are a rich source of a myriad of nutrients. Add them to your smoothies for a touch of “green” flavour and to add texture to your beverage.

2. INSTANT OATS
If you want to thicken a smoothie, add a few tablespoons of instant oats. For a smoother texture, soak them in water for a few minutes before adding to the blender.

3. ALMOND BUTTER
If you love the taste of almonds, add a spoonful of almond butter to your smoothie for a dose of vitamin E and several minerals.

4. TEA
Brew some strong tea and let it cool. Add to your smoothies for an antioxidant boost!

5. GOJI BERRIES
These berries are a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C and also contain iron. To add them to smoothies, soak them in hot water to soften first.

6. CHIA SEEDS
Just a tablespoon of these seeds provides a significant amount of fibre and omega-3 fatty acids. Add directly to smoothies or as a chia “gel” (made by soaking the seeds in water).

7. COCONUT MILK
If you’re on a dairy-free diet and want something that tastes thicker than almond or soy milk, add some coconut milk to your smoothies.

8. CARROTS
Finely grate carrots and then add them to smoothies for a dose of vitamin A.

So…moving on to today’s berry, cocoa and spinach smoothie. It’s definitely easy to make and you could use any blender, but I highly recommend using a powerful blender to smooth out the spinach. Afterall, you don’t want big pieces of spinach getting stuck in your teeth!

If you’re on the lookout for a new blender that’s relatively inexpensive, but does the job, I recommend the Ninja blender. I’ve had mine for a few months now and absolutely love it. I don’t think I could live without it!

And if you’re looking for more fun smoothies, check out my strawberry-coconut smoothie & carrot cake smoothie from the spring issue of FF magazine. Just click below and enjoy!

What’s your favourite smoothie?