Sunshine Smoothie

If you’re lacking a little sunshine in your life, than this is the smoothie for you! Sip your way to warm rays of happiness with this ultra-summery Sunshine Smoothie!

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INGREDIENTS

In these cold winter months, it’s sometimes hard to remember what summer feels (and tastes) like. Luckily, we can bring back the warm and sunny vibes of mid-summer with this delicious Sunshine Smoothie. Packed with sweet citrus, fresh carrots and the tropical flavours of banana and mango, this sun-coloured sipper is liquid happiness!

• Orange + Fresh Lemon Juice: Our sweet and summery, tangy base.
• Non-Dairy Vanilla Yogurt: Adds a subtle, fragrant sweetness and creaminess.
• Fresh Ginger & Carrot: Immune boosting awesomeness!
• Tropical Fruits: Banana and frozen mango for all the summer vibes.
• Bright Turmeric: Adds beautiful colour while helping to fight inflammation.

HOW TO MAKE A SUNSHINE SMOOTHIE

No matter what kind of spin (#punny) you put on it, smoothies are always a good grab ‘n go option! Plus, they couldn’t be easier to throw together. If you have a decent blender, fresh ingredients and 10 minutes to spare, you can make a smoothie!

1. First, add your orange and lemon juices, and non-dairy yogurt into your blender jug. A general rule of thumb in smoothie making is always add your liquids first.
2. Add your soft fruits – the banana, ginger, and ground turmeric .Lastly, add the carrot and frozen mango (hard and frozen items should always be added to the jug last).
3. Finally, seal the lid and blend on high for 30-45 seconds, until completely smooth. Pour the smoothie into a glass, garnish with you favourite toppings and enjoy!

TIPS FOR GETTING THE SMOOTHEST BLEND (AND NOT WEARING OUT YOUR BLENDER’S MOTOR)

I’ve made a mistake or two in my smoothie-making adventures so you don’t have to! You may not know this, but there actually is a ‘best’ way to layer your ingredients to achieve the smoothest blend and prevent your blender from prematurely kicking the can.

1. Always add your liquids first: All following ingredients will be submerged in the liquid, making it easier for the blades to catch them. It also protects your blades from damage. Roughly 3/4 cup of liquid is a good minimum requirement.
2. Leafy greens go next, followed by other soft fruit/veg: Greens are the easiest to be caught by the blades and will ensure the ingredients above them get pulled in easily as well.
3. Don’t add protein powders directly into the liquid: In the time it takes you to add all your other smoothie ingredients, the protein powder will likely clump up and stick to the blades, jug walls and make it more difficult to break apart. Because no one enjoys chunks of protein powder in their smoothies!
4. Always add the frozen ingredients last: Placing heavier, frozen items on top of lighter ingredients helps weigh them down and gets the blend moving faster. This helps prevent the blend from stalling, which happens when air pockets form around the blades.

You can easily double this recipe so that you can enjoy it with someone special. Or, save it for tomorrow. This will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, but do keep in mind that it will be thicker the longer it sits. If you find it’s too thick, simply add more plant-milk or water and stir to thin it out to your liking. If there’s any separation occurring, just a quick stir or shake will do the trick.

Looking for more easy and healthy recipes? My Choco-Berry Protein Smoothie or Detox Green Smoothie might interest you! 

Lastly, If you made this recipe and decide to share it on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @SteamyVeganKitchen + #SteamyVeganKitchen! I can’t wait to see your yummy recreations!