First let me start by saying that morning is without a doubt my most favorite part of the day. Second, let me introduce you to this beautiful picture to the left. My Uncle Justin, who you may have heard about on my p90x page, is a great photographer. And this is one of his photos. I want to make sure he gets credit. If you would like to reuse this photo you must first contact him! Thanks Uncle Justin!

In my honest opinion, smoothies are absolutely the greatest breakfast in the entire world. And I associate breakfast smoothies with so many wonderful memories. For instance, on a trip to Fiji with my family when I was 18, we got great smoothies every morning for breakfast. And my junior year of college, in 2006, I studied abroad in Thailand, and fresh fruit smoothies were on every other street corner! And these past two years, every time I go to visit my parents, my dad and I go running and then he makes me a fresh fruit smoothie with protein powder and yogurt. These runs with my daddy are one of my favorite things to do and thinking of smoothies reminds me of that.

But you have to be careful – lots of smoothie places now use frozen fruit (which usually has added sugar) or fruit syrups (lots of added sugar) or high fructose corny syrup ingredients often found in sweetened yogurts. These smoothies can quickly become, not so good for you.

Here are a couple tips to keep in mind when making your own smoothies. Whenever possible – use fresh fruit or verify that your frozen fruit selection does not have added sugar.

Use organic or sugar free yogurt. Greek yogurt is an excellent choice.

Try adding healthing things like flax seeds or chia seeds.

Maybe try both vegetables AND fruits in your smoothies!

Looking for some recipes?

1. Broccoli Blueberry smoothies (source)

• 1 cup of frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup of steamed broccoli
• 1 cup of 100 percent cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup of low-fat plain yogurt

2. Apricot smoothie – (source )

Note: this one has been altered from the original source since the original suggested using apricots in syrup – GROSS

• 1 cup chopped apricot
• 6 ice cubes
• 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt

3. Honeydew Kiwi Smoothie (source)

• 2 cups  cubed honeydew
• 1 small  Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and cut up
• 1 kiwifruit, peeled and cut up
• 2 to 3 tablespoons  sugar (I would leave this out)
• 1 tablespoon  lemon juice
• 1 cup  ice cubes
• Honeydew and/or kiwifruit slices

**This one sounds MOST appealing of the three to me. I had this kiwi smoothie in Thailand and it is to-date my favorite smoothie ever. And I don’t even like kiwis. I have no idea what was in it – but it really makes this one sound amazing

4. the classic – strawberry banana (source)

• 1 Cup Fresh Strawberries
• 1 Banana
• 1 cup Non-fat yogurt
• 1 packet sugar or sugar substitute
• 2 cups ice

Or just try Shakeology – which has 41 dollars worth of fruits and vegetables and a shot of wheat grass. It contains probiotics, antioxidants, chia seeds, 100% of your vitamin A, 16 grams of protein, Acai, and much more! Not to mention it tastes like candy. Here is my favorite greenberry shakeology smoothie recipe

• 1 scoop/pack greenberry shakeology
• 5 ice cubes
• 6 frozen strawberries
• water to taste (~8-10 oz)

What is your favorite smoothie recipe? Or Smoothie memory?

Share it in the comments!

Thanks for stopping by! My name is Ashley. I am 27 years old, married, and a 2nd year medical school student. I'd love to help you make a healthy life change! INSNAITY challenge packs are on sale RIGHT NOW! So you get the program (normally $120) AND the shakes (normally $120) for a total of only $180 AND -- I'll send you a $25 gift card OR a FREE blender (the one I use to make MY shakes) if you commit by April 15th! You ready? Get your P90X Challenge Pack NOW -- Shoot me an email at Ahigashi22@gmail.com if you have any questions!