While everyone preps for Thanksgiving this week by heating up roasted veggies, mixing hot soups over the stove and warming up their morning bowl of oatmeal, I’ll be over here dreaming of warmer weather with this vanilla pineapple smoothie. I’ve never been a fan of hot foods, even though I understand sometimes they are completely necessary when there’s a blizzard surrounding you. When I’m out in the cold, the last thing I want is my body temperature dropping. But while I can still enjoy cooler meals in the comfort of my warm apartment, wrapped up in a blanket; I’ll be chugging all the smoothies. Extra ice, frozen fruit and all the creaminess, please!
The classic smoothie. How I love thee! With so many different frozen fruit options, you really can’t go wrong. Add a little vanilla to the mix and you have me sold. Instead of throwing you another pumpkin or fall-inspired smoothie at you, I combined a few of my favorite fruits, a little added protein and frozen greens to deliver a tropical smoothie that will make you feel as if it’s still summer.
I had this after I worked out but it would be a good sip for breakfast, too. After all, when you’re busy getting ready in the morning, nothing beats having a smoothie to whip up, pour into a portable mug or blender bottle and bring with you on your way to work.
Welcome to my life the past two weeks of interning and working. I’ll have my morning bowl of oatmeal or toast and then throw a few blobs of frozen fruit and some Vega Protein + Greens into a blender, pour into a blender bottle and take with me on the train. You can imagine the looks I get as I’m chugging straight out of my huge Vega bottle but there is no shame because the combo is DELICIOUS.
I often use half a scoop of Vega Protein + Greens in the vanilla flavor, bringing in 10g of protein per smoothie (20g per full scoop). The ingredients pack in 2 servings of greens (organic alfalfa grass powder, spinach powder, broccoli powder and organic kale powder), brown rice protein and a little Stevia for sweetness. Whenever I need a little added something to my smoothies, Vega is the way to go. Even if I’m having a smoothie for snack, I might as well sneak some protein and greens into the equation!
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- ½ cup frozen pineapple
- ½ of a fresh orange
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½-1 scoop of Vega Protein and Greens, Vanilla flavor
- ¾ cup frozen spinach and kale blend
- 1 tsp organic maca powder
- Combine all ingredients into a high-power blender (I use a Vitamix) and combine until thick.
- Add ice cubes for desired thickness.
- Enjoy!
Alongside my added protein, I always like to add a super food here and there to blender for some extra nutrients. After months of hearing about how wonderful maca powder is for the body, I purchased it over this past summer. This gem of a super food has been used as a healing medicine in South America for decades and gives the body endurance and strength. Just a teaspoon of this stuff goes a long way, packed with calcium, magnesium and potassium. All the goodies your body needs to thrive! Because it can be pricey, I use it as a “treat” in smoothies and baked goods every once and a while but man do I love it.
Now gather your ingredients (I chose Trader Joe’s or Costco for the most affordable frozen fruit), pop ’em in that blender and blend away, chickpeas!
-Addie
*Vega sent me their Protein and Greens to sample but this post was not for compensation. All thoughts and opinions are my own and this is a brand I truly care for and love.*
