healthy breakfast smoothie

My husband and I have been really into breakfast smoothies for the past few months. They are simultaneously refreshing, cleansing, and satisfying, not to mention jam-packed with essential vitamins and nutrients that will curb your appetite until lunchtime.

After reading several health food blogs, I've picked up knowledge about various superfoods and what to combine to create a delicious smoothie. With this knowledge I have created an awesome smoothie recipe that is just as yummy as Jamba Juice without the added sugar! Score.

Ingredients

Serves 1-2

1-2 cups frozen berries (I use a mix of blueberries, blackberries, & raspberries)

2 heaping spoonfuls of plain nonfat greek yogurt* (I use Fage)

1 1/2 -2 chopped bananas

1 stalk of kale, cut or pull off the leafy part to use and throw stem away

1 cup orange juice (use light or reduced sugar if you can find it)

4-5 ice cubes

2-3 spoonfuls of orange flavored fiber powder

1/4 cup water

*Can replace yogurt with a scoop of strawberry protein powder

Directions

1. Toss all of the ingredients in a blender and use the "ice" setting for a few seconds to break up the frozen berries and ice cubes. If the blender seems to be stuck, your mixture may be too thick--add water or orange juice to help it mix better.

2. Once the slightly irritating grating noise of breaking ice has quieted down, switch to the "puree" setting and continue blending for about 30 seconds to make sure the kale gets very finely chopped. We want to minimize the chances of getting green things in our teeth (though it still happens occasionally. Just brush really well after.)

3. Divide the smoothie into two cups if you are sharing. If you aren't sharing, this makes one BIG awesome smoothie.

If you want a little something extra with your smoothie, do what I do and eat a half of a grapefruit! I split one with my hubs every morning, and it is delicious. Visit the ladies at the Tone It Up! Blog to read about the amazing health benefits and qualities about grapefruits. xo.