I have never been a huge smoothie fan. If I didn’t munch on something at meal time, I just didn’t feel as though I had eaten. In the last few months however, I’ve come to realize how quick, easy, and healthy smoothies are, and I have thankfully gotten over my dislike for them.

After buying a copy of Ani Phyo’s Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen, I decided to try out a few of the easier shake and smoothie recipes before diving in to the slightly more daunting raw meals. I discovered ingredients like Maca Root Powder, hemp protein powder, carob, soaked dates and nuts, and fresh or frozen fruits. They were always filling and almost as smooth as water.

To switch things up a bit, I’ve started drinking some non-raw smoothies. Soy milk gives my new smoothies a creamier base to work with, along with calcium and protein.

Here is my favorite morning smoothie. Drink alone, or have alongside a bowl of oatmeal. Using frozen fruit rather than fresh makes it thicker and cooler.

IMG_5086Purple Spring Smoothie (Serves 1)

Ingredients:
-About half a cup of organic soy milk, with more or less until you reach a consistency you like.
-Handful of frozen strawberries (about 1/2 a cup)
-1 packed Tbs fresh spearmint leaves, washed
-1 Tbs vanilla flavored hemp protein powder (Trader Joe’s brand is good), or other supplement (add 1tbs vanilla extract)
-1 heaping scoop of raw carob powder

Method:
1. Combine all ingredients in a high powdered blender, starting with milk and adding more as you go along until you reach desired consistency.
2. Pour into a tall glass, and garnish with one or two spearmint leaves.