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Beverages, Breakfast, Gift Guides, Products, Smoothies

Gift Guide For The Smoothie Lover

This Gift Guide for Smoothie Lovers will help you choose the perfect item for those in your life who love blending and crafting their protein shakes, smoothies and smoothie bowls.

Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

The key to great smoothies is to use the right tool. It’s no secret that a powerful blender will give you the ultimate smoothie experience and allow you to blend, (ahem, pulverize 😉 ) those rock-solid or frozen ingredients that add all that nutritious goodness that you’re looking for. My favorite high-powered blender is the powerhouse Vitamix blender. This bad boy will make quick work of frozen fruits, leafy greens, little bitty seeds…you name it, it’ll blend it. There’s a reason it has stellar ratings across the board. This appliance will last you decades. I kid you not (go read the reviews!). And if for some reason it doesn’t, warranty issues and customer service from the Vitamix company is also stellar. So you can buy this investment appliance with confidence. The only hard thing you’ll have to do is figure out which model (and color) you want. Oh, and this beauty is not just for smoothies. No, sir. You’ll have fun learning the different ways it can help you in the kitchen.

You may also enjoy this Fruit Smoothies Digital Recipe Card Bundle. Beautiful and colorful fruit smoothie recipes are available as digital downloads, sized in 4 x 6, for easy printing on your end. Five recipes are included in this downloadable PDF bundle. Each recipe is contained on one page. Learn more here.

✅ May I suggest this one.

If you’re looking to up your smoothie game, check out this best-selling smoothie cookbook. You’ll learn how to combine ingredients to create superfood smoothies. If you or your gift recipient loves experimenting, then this recipe book is for you, er…them.

The totally trendy way to consume your smoothie these days is to drink it from a mason jar, with handles, of course. Here’s an affordable 6-pack of goodness for you or your gift recipients.

And if you’re more old school, you or your recipient will love these fountain shop glasses…I do! Smoothies, ice cream floats, milkshakes…they’re classy and make whatever you put in them look yummy and delicious.

For an eco-friendly way to sip your smoothie, check out these reusable stainless steel straws. Very chic! They’re wide enough for thick smoothies and shakes and they’re dishwasher friendly.

For the person who loves smoothie bowls as opposed to shakes, this beautiful smoothie bowls recipe book will delight! Ooh and ahh through the pages as the author shares how to create these visual masterpieces of nutrition.

Also for the smoothie bowl lover, may I suggest these eco-friendly handmade natural coconut shell bowls with wooden spoons. Not just for smoothies – use for salads, soup, cereals, Buddha bowls and fruits. Gorgeous!

Love making almond milk by hand? Then you’ll want this best-selling and top-rated pro-quality nut milk bag. It’s bigger and better and perfectly shaped to handle the task at hand. Its super strong construction makes this a true re-usable bag.

I have a freezer full of frozen fruit just for my smoothies. Ditch the traditional plastic freezer bags for these eco-friendly and re-usable silicon bags. They are food-grade safe and don’t contain toxins. They’re also leak-proof, fridge and freezer friendly as well as microwave friendly. These are a must-have, smoothie lover or not!

And finally, while it won’t replace my beloved Vitamix, this little personal blender will do the trick if I’m traveling or on the go. It’s lightweight enough to pack in a carry on or in your luggage if checking your bag. It will work with ice or small-chunk frozen fruits and will blend well-enough that you can still call your concoction a smoothie! 😉

LOOKING FOR SOME SMOOTHIE RECIPES?
Almond Butter and Banana Protein Smoothie
Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie
Healthy Gingerbread Protein Smoothie
Apple Cinnamon Protein Smoothie
Peaches and Cream Protein Smoothie
Blueberry Pineapple Protein Smoothie

If you like these recipes, consider joining the Zesty Recipes Facebook Group. We’d love to have you!

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Recipes, Smoothies

Almond Butter and Banana Protein Smoothie

This Almond Butter and Banana Protein Smoothie is healthy, paleo and gluten-free.

Note: This post contains affiliate links for Amazon.

So, my Almond Butter and Banana Protein Smoothie is crazy easy, healthy, vegan, and gluten-free. It pretty much has it all. I always have these ingredients on hand for a smoothie. It’s quick, easy, and nutritious. Plus, it’s the foundation for most of my smoothie variations such as my Gingerbread Protein Smoothie, my Blueberry Pineapple Protein Smoothie, and my Apple Cinnamon Protein Smoothie.

To make this smoothie, I use unsweetened almond milk, although coconut milk (from a carton) is great, too. Frozen bananas really add the sweetness, so I don’t add extra sweetener. You could add in a few pitted dates, or a dollop of maple syrup, if you prefer it a little more sweet. Totally up to you.

Along with frozen bananas, another staple I keep on hand for my smoothies is almond butter. I love the kind that you grind yourself in the stores. I always pick up a large carton at Whole Foods, The Fresh Market, or my local organic food store. As a back up, I keep a jar of Barney Butter Bare Smooth Almond Butter in my pantry, just in case!

You may also enjoy this Fruit Smoothies Digital Recipe Card Bundle. Beautiful and colorful fruit smoothie recipes are available as digital downloads, sized in 4 x 6, for easy printing on your end. Five recipes are included in this downloadable PDF bundle. Each recipe is contained on one page. Learn more here.

One of my go-to protein powders is JJ Virgin’s Plant-Based All-In-One Protein Powder in vanilla. I love it! It’s gluten-free, paleo, and has no refined sugar or artificial junk in it. I’ve used it for years and I’m never without this stuff. Check it out:

My other go-to for delicious smoothies is a high-powered blender which will be able to handle frozen and large chunks more elegantly than a blender with less sturdy blades.

Since I make smoothies daily, I keep an abundance of frozen fruits in my freezer. For fresh fruits that are in season and that I want to freeze, or like bananas that I peel and break in half, I use these silicone reusable ziplock bags. Money-saver and eco-friendly!

I hope you add this healthy almond butter and banana protein smoothie to your rotation!

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:
Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie
Peaches and Cream Protein Smoothie
Blueberry Pineapple Protein Smoothie

If you like these recipes, consider joining the Zesty Recipes Facebook Group. We’d love to have you!

Note: This post contains affiliate links for Amazon.

Almond Butter And Banana Protein Smoothie

Print

Prep time

2 mins

Cook time

2 mins

Total time

4 mins

Almond Butter And Banana Protein Smoothie

Author: Zesty Olive

Serves: 1 serving

Ingredients

1½ cups unsweetend almond milk (or coconut milk from a carton)
1 whole large frozen organic banana (or more for additional thickness)
2 scoops vanilla protein powder (or what your favorite protein brand recommends for 1 serving)
1½ Tablespoons unsalted, unsweetened almond butter
Optional: 1-2 pitted dates for additional sweetness
Optional: dash of ground cinnamon

Instructions

Note: This smoothie yields the best consistency if blended in stages.
In a high-powdered blender, add almond milk, protein powder, and blend until combined.
Add in almond butter frozen banana and blend well.{br]
Pour into glass and enjoy!

DON’T FORGET TO PIN AND SHARE!

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Beverages, Recipes, Smoothies

Healthy Gingerbread Protein Smoothie

Classic holiday spices enhance and flavor this Healthy Gingerbread Protein Smoothie.

Note: This post contains affiliate links for Amazon.

Ah! The warm and spicy flavors of gingerbread are a holiday favorite. Whether you like yours in cookie form, bread, or brownies and bars, give this healthy gingerbread smoothie a try this season. It’s so easy to make.

I use unsweetened almond milk, although coconut milk (from a carton) will work, too. The secret ingredient that really kicks it over the top for that classic gingerbread flavor is molasses. You’ll need just a little, so don’t panic! Molasses is fairly strong in flavor, so a little goes a long way. I also like to use fresh ginger if I have it on hand, but ground ginger will do the trick, too. Ground cinnamon and cloves round out the spices that you’ll need.

You may also enjoy this Fruit Smoothies Digital Recipe Card Bundle. Beautiful and colorful fruit smoothie recipes are available as digital downloads, sized in 4 x 6, for easy printing on your end. Five recipes are included in this downloadable PDF bundle. Each recipe is contained on one page. Learn more here.

There’s rarely a smoothie that I make that doesn’t have frozen banana in it. I always have frozen bananas in my freezer. You just peel the bananas, break them into bite size chunks (makes it easier on the blender!) and throw them in a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer. I typically have two or three bags in my freezer at a time since I make several smoothies during the day. You’ll also need almond butter. This is another staple that usually ends up in my smoothies.

Since I make smoothies daily, I keep an abundance of frozen fruits in my freezer. For fresh fruits that are in season and that I want to freeze, or like bananas that I peel and break in half, I use these silicone reusable ziplock bags. Money-saver and eco-friendly!

I use my favorite high-powered blender to blend this smoothie in stages. A high-powered blender works best because those frozen fruits need to be pulverized, otherwise, it’s not a “smoothie,” it’s a “chunky,” and no one wants that!

Add this yummy and healthy gingerbread protein smoothie to your morning rotation this holiday season. I actually make it throughout the year so it feels like Christmas even in July!

If you love the zing of ginger, you might be a fan of Moscow Mules. Check out these Holiday Moscow Mule recipe cards for season cocktails that include ginger beer. Beautiful and colorful holiday mule cocktail recipes are available as digital downloads, sized in 4 x 6, for easy printing on your end. Five recipes are included in this downloadable PDF bundle. Each recipe is contained on one page. Learn more here.

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:
Gift Guide for the Smoothie Lover
Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie
Peaches and Cream Protein Smoothie
Blueberry Pineapple Protein Smoothie

If you like these recipes, consider joining the Zesty Recipes Facebook Group. We’d love to have you!

Healthy Gingerbread Protein Smoothie

Print

Prep time

2 mins

Cook time

2 mins

Total time

4 mins

Healthy Gingerbread Protein Smoothie

Author: Zesty Olive

Serves: 1 serving

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetend almond milk
1 whole frozen organic banana
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
¼ tsp organic ground cinnamon, or to taste*
¼ tsp organic ground cloves, or to taste*
⅓ tsp fresh ginger OR ⅓ tsp organic ground ginger, to taste*
1 Tablespoon blackstrap molasses
1 Tablespoon almond butter
*Ground spices can be adjusted according to your taste preference.

Instructions

Note: This smoothie yields the best consistency if blended in stages.
In a high-powdered blender, add almond milk, protein powder, ground spices and blend until combined.
Add in almond butter and molasses and blend well.
Add in frozen banana chunks and blend well.
Pour into glass, garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and enjoy!

DON’T FORGET TO PIN AND SHARE!

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