Smoothie recipes for the summer

Fruits, vegetables and nuts are essential to a healthy diet, and one of the most delicious ways to get your daily dose is in a smoothie.

While I’m pro-smoothie year-round, the summer heat kicks my sweet tooth into overdrive. Whether I’m in a rush to get to work or enjoying a day off by the lake, whipping up a sweet concoction of frozen fruit helps me fend off the summer heat and satisfy my appetite.

Below are some of my personal favourite summer-ready smoothies.

Plus, you can add in one scoop of a protein powder to any of these if you didn’t meet your personal protein guidelines for the day—otherwise none is needed.

The peanut butter party

This is a great recovery drink after a long run or tough workout.

Ingredients: 

• 1 handful of ice cubes
• 1/2 cup of the dairy milk of your choosing
• 1/2 cup of almond milk
• 3 tbsp. vanilla yogurt
• 2 droplets of vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp. of peanut butter 

Sunshine smoothie

This smoothie is perfectly suited for when you’re looking for a healthy way to curb your sherbet cravings or if you’re missing the Strawberry Storm smoothie from the ARC’s Booster Juice.

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup of frozen strawberries (the best are picked and frozen in the summer)
• 1 banana (unfrozen or frozen)
• 1 cup of orange juice (more/less depending on desired thickness)
• 1 Danone creamy peach yogurt
• 1 tbsp. flax seeds for extra fibre

(Can substitute orange juice for milk/almond milk depending if you want that booster juice tangy or dairy taste)

Optional: honey for a sweeter taste.

The green machine

The green machine’s serving of vegetables will make you feel healthy—even if you’ve ditched the gym.

Ingredients: 

• 2 tbsp. frozen avocado
• 1/4 cup of frozen kale
• 1 tbsp. of flax seeds
• 1 handful of ice cubes
• 1 cup of milk of choice
• 1/2 cup of frozen mango chunks