Choose Your Own Adventure Smoothie

This "recipe" is really more of the framework to building a yummy, filling smoothie - hence the name "Choose Your Own Adventure." This is my basic, go-to breakfast and you can really switch it up in a lot of ways to keep it interesting and within your preferences. And you never need to put yogurt in it - ew! I don't understand why so many smoothie recipes call for yogurt. Gross. I worked at a smoothie restaurant for a few years in high school, and have been making them for like 15 years now. I have never used yogurt.

Ingredients: 

• Liquid base: 1 1/2 cups water OR unsweetened almond milk OR coconut milk
• Greens: handful (or two) of spinach OR kale OR I've even used spring mix lettuce in a pinch
• Banana (the browner it is, the sweeter, obviously - so if you're wanting your smoothie really sweet, I recommend a super spotty banana).
• Frozen fruit: I usually get it at Trader Joes - organic strawberries, boreal blueberries, or organic raspberries, with some frozen mango. I don't measure this, but probably about a cup, and I mix and match depending on what sounds good that day.
• Protein (optional): 1/2 cup uncooked, plain oatmeal OR a scoop of your favorite protein powder (I like Vega or Raw Fit or Arbonne protein) OR you can throw in an avocado or about 1/4 cup nuts if you have a good blender
• Tablespoon chia or flax seeds (also optional, adds some omegas and protein)

I have a Vitamix, so I can throw these all in at once, but otherwise I'd start with the liquid, greens, banana, and protein, blend it up, and then gradually add the frozen fruit until you get your desired thickness. If it gets too thick, add a splash of your liquid.