I got to spend an enlightening afternoon with four fantastic teenagers.   Testing, tasting and discussing how to be healthy and learning the basics of building a green smoothie.

My fabulous team Mia, Rebecca, Ryan and Christian got to create their own smoothies and I hope you learn from their combinations and try their recipes for yourself.

We started our afternoon off with a quick lesson about green smoothies and the various ingredients you could use to create a healthy smoothie.  They learn’t about kale and almonds, the importance of protein and how to add nut butters and avocado to their smoothies to add extra good fats.

Our first smoothie to try was a BASIC GREEN SMOOTHIE, it was their first ever green smoothie and a great option for anyone to start with.

Ingredients:
(serves 1)

Handful of baby spinach
1/4       cucumber (peeled)
1/4       frozen banana
1/4       cup frozen blueberries
1/4       cup frozen strawberries
1/4       avocado
1           cup coconut water
(extra filtered water to create the consistency you prefer)

Reaction:  They were pleasantly surprised that you could not taste the avocado, cucumber or the baby spinach in their smoothie and were now ready to start creating  their own smoothie combinations.

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1.  Ryan’s Rehydrating smoothie

Ryan’s smoothie was created to help replace electrolytes after sport or exercise.  Coconut water is natures natural energade and also add’s a natural sweetness to the smoothie.
Banana helps regulate muscle functioning and the almond butter add’s natural fat to the smoothie. We used the Wazoogles superfood protein powder which is made from Pea Protein, making it plant-based and filled with superfoods like chia seeds for omega 3.

Ingredients:
(serves 1)

Handful of baby spinach
1/4       cucumber (peeled)
1/4       cup frozen blueberries
1/4       frozen banana
2 T       superfood protein powder (we used Wazoogles chocolate moondust brand)
1 T        almond butter (or any nut butter of your choice)
1 T        chia seeds
1           cup coconut water (extra filtered water to create the consistency you prefer)

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2.  Vitamin C boosting smoothie

Rebecca’s smoothie is full of vitamin C from the pineapple and strawberry’s which are great in keeping your skin healthy and your immune system strong.  Almond milk is also a great alternative to dairy but remember to use unsweetened (no added sugar) almond milk.

Ingredients:
(serves 1)

1/4      cup frozen pineapple
1/4      frozen banana
1/4      cup frozen strawberry’s
1          cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2      cup filtered water or coconut water (to create the consistency you like)
1 T      natural yogurt

(2 T’s of protein powder can also be added)

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3.  Protein Power

Christian’s smoothie was all about the protein; it was filling, nutritious and brain food.    The Protein Power smoothie will help teenagers stay focused and energised, help with afternoon slumps or for a morning boost.

Ingredients:
(serves 1)

2 T       natural, unsweetened yogurt
1/4       frozen banana
1/4       cup frozen blueberries
2 T       superfood protein powder (we used Wazoogles vanilla ski protein powder)
1 T        almond butter (or any nut butter of your choice)
1           cup unsweetened almond milk (you can add extra filtered water to create the consistency you prefer)

optional:  you can add 2 dates to sweeten the smoothie or 1/4 avocado to thicken and extra chia seeds for omega’s

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4.  Sweet & Delicious

Mia’s smoothie was all about summer – a thirst-quenching & electrolyte-replenishing combination of coconut water, cucumber and watermelon.

Ingredients:
(serves 1)

2 T       natural, unsweetened yogurt (or kefir)
1/4       cup frozen watermelon
1/4       cucumber (peeled)
1 T        chia seeds superfood protein powder
1            cup coconut water

We had many laughs during the afternoon, it was so lovely to see a group of teenagers wanting to learn about being healthy.  We tested various vegetables like beetroot in a smoothie and these always landed up with more laughs and disbelief that anyone would want to drink that!!!

Thanks Bex, Mia, Ryan and Christian (and Carter, the happy helper) for all your help x

More moments  …..

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BIG THANK YOU’S GO TO:

• Our photographer Sam Houghton (who is a teenager himself), you capture every moment perfectly – a super budding star xxx
• Newton Park Super Spar that sponsored all our amazing ingredients used.

For more information about “How to create your own smoothie” click here