During the colder months, you may want to try this warming winter smoothie inspired by Ayurveda. A diet high in vegetables, fruits, and warming spices nourish your body without cooling it. You can have it as a snack in the afternoon, a recovery beverage after a workout, or even for breakfast in the morning.
This creamy, not-so-sweet smoothie has everything you want. One blender, 10 minutes, and 10 ingredients are all you need to make this smoothie. It is made with ripe bananas, carrots, and zucchini (or cauliflower). For more natural sweetness and fiber, I’ve been using fewer bananas and substituting more carrots. It can also be too sweet if there is excessive banana added to protein powder.
Table of Contents
Ingredients to Make Winter Smoothie
- 1/2 ripe banana (previously peeled, sliced, and frozen)
- 1 small carrot, peeled and chopped
- 1/4 cup sliced zucchini (or chopped raw or steamed then frozen cauliflower)
- 1 scoop plain or vanilla protein powder (if using unsweetened / plain, add a banana for sweetness)
- 1 cup dairy-free milk (we prefer cashew)
- 1 Tbsp hemp seeds
- 1 Tbsp peeled, minced fresh ginger*
- 1/4 tsp ground turmeric* (or sub 4x the amount fresh turmeric)
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon*
- 1 pinch black pepper* (increases bioavailability of turmeric)
- 1 tsp spirulina (optional)
Directions to make
- Starting with the smaller quantity of dairy-free milk, combine all the ingredients in a high-speed blender. Blend on high until creamy and smooth, adding additional dairy-free milk (or water) if necessary. Greens and/or spirulina are optional ingredients that make the smoothie more nutritious and appealing to the eye.
- Taste the dish and make any necessary taste adjustments by adding additional spices for added warmth, more ginger for more zing, or banana or protein powder for added sweetness.
- Serve right away and Enjoy. If desired, garnish with more ground turmeric or hemp seeds (optional). Though finest when fresh, keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Additionally, you may add leftovers to future smoothies by freezing them in ice cube trays.
Notes and tips!
- For each smoothie, substitute 1 tsp of my Golden Milk Mix for the ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and black pepper.
- Instead of using frozen ingredients, use cold or room-temperature ingredients.
- Spices such as cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric, clove, cayenne, and ginger can be very helpful if needed to help stimulate digestion.
- It may be more beneficial to consume dairy-free milk like cashew or macadamia rather than coconut milk, which can be more cooling to the body
- In place of frozen bananas, add roasted winter squash, such as butternut squash or sweet potato
- Taking your drink in the afternoon, when your digestive fire is strongest, rather than in the morning when it is weaker.
Nutrition Content
- Calories: 269 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 28.1 g
- Protein: 17.3 g
- Fat: 12.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 196 mg
- Potassium: 631 mg
- Fiber: 5.9 g
- Sugar: 12.1 g
- Calcium: 53.32 mg
- Iron: 2.55 mg
Final Words
You can make this smoothie in just 10 minutes, and the recipe is very easy to follow. This smoothie is very healthy and nutritious and will help you keep full throughout the day.
Please feel free to comment if you have any queries regarding the recipe or would want to offer your own take on the different types of smoothies. Don’t forget to tell your family and friends about it; I’m sure they’ll like it as well.
ALSO READ: Learn How To Make Creamy Espresso Martini Perfect For Post-Dinner Drink
