The winter holidays can be a hectic time of year. From preparing for festivities, attending parties and family gatherings, to checking off everyone's wish list, our routines, diets and sleeping patterns go right out the window. We push ourselves to the max over the holidays, risking overload and getting sick, which we really can’t afford to do. Well, take one deep breath because we've got holiday smoothie recipes to help keep you healthy during the most wonderful time of the year. And the best part is, all you need is a blender and five minutes.

7 Christmas Smoothie Recipes

1. Cran-Orange Smoothie

Add a burst of flavour to your morning with the tartness of cranberries, complete with antioxidants, and the sweetness of oranges, which makes up for your vitamin C intake. Vega One protein powder is a great addition because one serving has 15g of protein, 6g of fibre, 3 servings of greens, 2.7 cups of antioxidants, 1 billion probiotics and 1.5g of omega-3. If that doesn't make your day seem productive, we don't know what will.

Ingredients

Cran Orange SmoothieEDIT
  • 1/4 cup whole cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • 1 orange, peeled
  • 1 scoop Vega One (berry flavour)
  • 1 pinch cinnamon
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup ice cubes

2. Almond Cinnamon Date Smoothie

Besides its lovely smell, cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar, making it a great choice for diabetics. It reduces LDL choloestrol levels, has many anti-infectious compounds and contains fibre, calcium, iron and manganese. Adding even a small amount to your daily diet is a fabulous place to start. The added coffee will give you a wake-up call, and the turmeric helps cleanse your liver and act as an antiseptic for any cuts and burns.

Ingredients

Cinnamon Almond milk date
  • 1 cup almond milk with chia seeds soaked in it
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • 2 dates
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1 tsp coffee or 6-7 coffee beans
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1tsp maca [optional]
  • 4 ice cubes
  • Cinnamon for garnish

3. Santa's Green Smoothie

The colour of this smoothie is one thing [can it get any more festive?] But it's the health benefits that make this smoothie a winning pick for your morning. We can't stress enough how important it is to get your greens. They play a key role in reducing blood clots, and the vitmain K source will help you look young, even in this time of stress. It can help lower cholesterol, and it's high in calcium, which is where the bitter taste comes from (good thing this smoothie hides it so well). Just make sure you check your face in your mirror, it would be a little harder explaining the green moustache than the health benefits of this smoothie.

Ingredients

Santa Green Smoothie
  • 1/4 cup avocado, mashed
  • 1 1/2 cups of greens [kale, spinach, chard etc.]
  • 1 cup coconut water
  • 1 pear, remove stem
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup ice
  • 1-2 pinches of cayenne/ginger [optional]

4. Turn Beet Holiday Red Smoothie

Beets are an amazing source of potassium, magnesium, fibre, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A, B & C, as well as beta-carotene. They are great tonics for the liver, work as a blood purifier and can prevent various forms of cancer – not to mention the natural energy they give you – perfect for the morning after a late night of holiday socializing over a glass of vino.

Ingredients

beet smoothieEDIT
  • 1 small beet
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 banana
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tsp ginger, freshly grated

5. Cocoa Berry Smoothie

Sometimes a little chocolate in the morning is just what the doctor ordered for a jump start to the day. And right, your doctor is! Packed full of antioxidants, cocoa powder is also high in magnesium and iron yet they won't give you the downing effect hours later that sugar will, because it doesn't contain any. This is the perfect smoothie to down before you dive into your housekeeping chores.

Ingredients

coco berry smoothiesEDIT
  • 1 scoop Vega protein smoothie [bodacious berry flavour]
  • 2 tsp cocoa powder
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 cup frozen berries
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla
  • Generous handful of chopped mint leaves

6. Ginger, Peach, Chamomile Smoothie

A little zest of ginger never hurt anyone, and it's certainly not just a flavour that should be saved for your stir-fry night! Ginger really is great for everything; it's well known for its great anti-inflammatory source and as an aid in digestion, including its relief from sickness. That, paired with the calming effects of chamomile, will have you ready to tackle the busy shopping mall, all-day-long.

Ingredients

chamomile peach ginger smoothie
  • 1 chamomile tea [steeped in a 1/2 cup of boiling water]
  • 1/2 cup soy/almond/coconut milk
  • 1 peach, skinned, stone removed
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 1-2 tsp wheatgerm

7. You're Fig-in' Kidding Me Smoothie

Often overlooked, figs are a great addition to any sweet tooth’s diet. Naturally high in sugar, minerals and soluble fibre, figs are also rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper and are a great source of antioxidants as well as vitamins A, E & K. Making this the perfect smoothie to consume the morning after a big dinner that was high in sodium.

fig smoothieEDIT

Ingredients

  • 2 handfuls, figs
  • 1 handful, blueberries
  • 1 plum
  • Lime juice
  • 1/2 cup water/coconut water/milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Dash of cardamom
  • 1-2 medjool dates

Considering a Whole 'Super' Food Holiday? We've got you covered!

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