Are you constantly on the go? If you’re looking for a low-fuss way to get your daily servings of fruits and vegetables, homemade smoothies and juices can be a great option. To get started, here are some recipes that we think you’ll enjoy.
Oatmeal, Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie
For a full feeling that lasts until lunch, simply blend the following ingredients:
- 2 cups of cold milk (or milk alternatives such as soy or almond)
- 1 banana, cut into chunks (this is also a great way to use those frozen brown
bananas from your freezer) - 1/4 cup of natural peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 2 teaspoon old quick oats
Full recipe: joythebaker.com
Green Smoothies
Kick your favourite smoothies up a notch with the addition of large handful of greens – both spinach and kale work well and blend easily. With the addition of leafy greens, you’ll boost your fibre and iron intake while the other fruits and veggies mask or compliment the flavour of the greens. We suggest adding the greens to the bottom of the blender for better mixing.
This raspberry coconut smoothie will make you feel as though you’re eating dessert for breakfast:
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1/3 cup coconut flakes
- 2 large handfuls of spinach
- 4 ice cubes
- 1 cup of liquid – use coconut water, vanilla soy milk or a splash of apple cider
Supercharged Peach Smoothie
Peach smoothies are a great sweet treat, and adding leafy greens and quick oats to this recipe really takes it to the next level:
- 2 cups of sliced peaches
- 2 handfuls of a leafy green of your choice
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- ¼ cup of quick oats
- 1 cup of liquid (milk, juice or water)
- 4 ice cubes
Full recipes: abeautifulmess.com - this site has a great series on making a variety of green smoothies
Mango Smoothies
We love this recipe from the Heart and Stroke Foundation; the addition of ginger really compliments the flavour of the mango. What a way to start your day!
- Flesh of 1 large ripe (or frozen) mango, chopped
- 2 mL (1/2 tsp) fresh ginger, grated
- 80 mL (1/3 cup) frozen orange juice concentrate
- 375 mL (1-1/2 cups) 1% milk, chilled
- 250 mL (1 cup) ice
Full recipe: heartandstroke.com
Looking for locally grown fruit can be a challenge in the spring but you can still find ways to incorporate local ingredients. The following products have options that are both grown and produced in Quebec and Canada.
- Plain or vanilla yogurt
- Frozen berries
- Preserves or canned fruits from a store or a Montreal farmer’s market
- Apple juice or cider
- Quebec maple syrup or honey for extra sweetness
In April, seasonal locally grown fruits and veggies include: beets, cabbage, carrots, apples, cucumber and rhubarb. These all have subtle flavours that won’t overpower any of your fruit and veggie combinations. Try them out in one of these combinations:
For a home that compliments your healthy lifestyle, Timbercreek offers a wide variety of rental apartments in Montreal, including some of the most dynamic areas of the city like the trendy Plateau District and the heart of historic and bustling downtown.