Posted on November 24 2015
If you've enjoyed having smoothies for breakfast or as snacks, you know that they can be a lot of fun to make. You also know they take some time and effort. The best way to start and keep healthy habits is to make them as easy as possible to follow through on - and that's where your vacuum sealer can help with your new smoothie habit. Here are some things to consider to get the most out of your smoothie ingredients and save time:
Freeze ahead
Look at your favorite smoothie recipes. Likely, there are fruits and greens in there you could freeze ahead of time. To do so, chop up the appropriate amount of ingredients and lay them out on a baking sheet, then freeze them for four hours. After that, portion them into individual packets, one per smoothie, and vacuum seal them. Write on the packets what the smoothie recipe is, and what additional ingredients you will need to make your treat (perhaps some Greek yogurt or coconut milk, for example). Frozen fruits and vegetables retain all of their nutritional value, so this process is the perfect way to preserve these healthy ingredients.
Easy prep
In the morning when you're busy, or at any other time, take out a smoothie packet you've made, fire up your blender and dump the whole thing in. Then add the additional ingredients, blend a bit more and you're done! There you have it - the easiest possible smoothie. Spending a little time beforehand freezing and portioning out your ingredients can pay off hugely in helping you reach for a healthy breakfast smoothie instead of junk food.
Recipe ideas
Making smoothies is pretty easy once you know what you like and what tends to work. Many people like to include spinach or kale in their smoothies for a kick of green nutrition, so try including a handful of either of those! Other popular options include: mango, papaya, pineapple, oranges and satsumas, though you should feel free to include anything you really like, including vegetables.
The banana is a very popular smoothie inclusion, and for good reason. It can add a heartier consistency to the blend, making it feel more filling. Oats and chia seeds can also serve this function, so go ahead and add them if you want a breakfast smoothie that keeps you going for most of the morning.
If you're using a smoothie as a meal, you'll also want it to have protein. There are a lot of ways to get that, from a scoop or two of protein powder to including peanut or almond butter in your recipe. Keep in mind that both of these will be additions after your frozen smoothie pack and probably should not be sealed along with your fruits and vegetables.
If you're making a smoothie with mostly fruits, you'll likely find you don't need a sweetener. However, if you do need or want one, consider using something simple like honey, yogurt or a slightly sweetened nondairy milk instead of artificial sweeteners in your smoothies.
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