By Ava Bartholomew

For those of you who are bored of soggy cereal, microwave oatmeal, or dry toast, breakfast can become a culinary chore rather than the celebrated meal it should be. Luckily, Baked has a simple, yet refreshing alternative – smoothies. Not only do smoothies provide a filling and delicious breakfast option, but they also allow you to easily pack some nutrients into your morning routine. The best part? You can make them completely yours! While we do offer several recipes for inspiration, you can mix and match them, add your own special ingredients, or make your very own unique recipe. 

Before we dive into our favorite recipes, there is a basic formula for the perfect, well-balanced smoothie. First, it requires a liquid base, such as milk, milk alternatives, juice, or even water. Next come the core ingredients: fruits and vegetables. This is the part of the process where you can really play with different flavor combinations. Then, you can focus on a protein source, whether that be protein powder, Greek yogurt, or some form of nut butter. Finally, make it your own through various sweeteners, spices, or fillers. However, to even begin making a smoothie, there is one more thing you will need in your kitchen: a blender. Some of our favorite brands are Vitamix, Ninja, and NutriBullet. These can be a tad pricey, so if you are looking for a cheaper yet durable option, Amazon has several great finds. 

Now that you know the basics, let’s talk smoothies. 

Sunrise Sips

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of orange juice
• 1 cup of frozen strawberries
• ½ of a frozen banana
• ½ cup of spinach
• ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
• 2 teaspoons of matcha powder

Directions:

Throw everything in a blender and ta-da! Pour into your favorite glass and enjoy. Play around with the ratios of the ingredients to adjust the flavors and thickness.

Just Peachy

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup of coconut milk 
• 1 cup of frozen peaches
• ¾ cup of frozen raspberries
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons of flaxseeds
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

Directions:

You know the drill, pop all of these ingredients in your blender and serve! Try garnishing with some granola or extra raspberries. 

Purple Punch

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
• ¾ cup of frozen blueberries
• ¾ cup of frozen blackberries and/or raspberries
• ⅓ cup of red cabbage
• 1 tablespoon of protein powder
• 2 tablespoons of honey

Directions:

Measure out all of these ingredients and toss them into the blender! At this rate, you must be getting the hang of this!    

Green Goodness 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of spinach
• ¾ cup of frozen mango
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 tablespoon of protein powder
• 1 teaspoon of matcha

Directions:

Do I really have to tell you at this point? Flip the switch on your blender and that’s that!

Vibrant Veggies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 3 large peeled carrots
• ½ of a cucumber
• ½ of an avocado
• 1 cup of kale
• 1 tablespoon of almond butter
• 1 teaspoon of flaxseeds

Directions:

You’re a professional smoothie maker by now, you got this! Blend away! The only step left is to post a picture of your latest smoothie; remember, the camera eats first.