If you’re just catching onto the juice and smoothie craze, I’m here to tell you it’s big, and for good reason. Not only is a holistic smoothie a wonderful way to get your servings of fruits and veggies, but a more liquid-based diet can also encourage healthy digestion, aid with weight loss and provide a healthy dose of proteins, fibers and other vitamins your body needs. The secret to truly healthy living is to try to cut most processed sugars, carbs, caffeine, etc. out of your diet entirely, but in my experience this is just not realistic.

I can’t control the food served to me at a friend’s house, the options on a restaurant dinner menu, or my best friend’s sudden urge for a coffee date. What I can control however, is what I eat on my own time, and the ingredients I put into my own blender. I therefore think it’s worth skipping the Chipotle and opting for a big green smoothie or even something fruity and sweet between meals every once in awhile. Below are my tips for a killer smoothie...

Get your veggies in, but make them as tasty as possible. Personally, I'm someone who always wants to eat healthy but has not yet learned to stomach the taste of pure kale. If you’re like me, a nice fresh smoothie is the perfect option for getting your daily dose of rich veggies. A truly holistic and filling smoothie doesn’t just consist of fruits and yogurts (even though that can be yummy and refreshing!), so always try to add some vegetables for a good dose of vitamins and minerals whenever possible. Many people say that the taste of carrots, avocado and spinach don’t have very strong taste, so try adding at least a little bit in with your fruits and other ingredients. When you’ve become accustomed to the taste (it can be strange at first!), try upping the dose of veggies or branching out and trying something more exotic, and your tastebuds will be trained to enjoy a healthy veggie smoothie faster than you can say cauliflower.

To make the veggies even more bearable, try blending your greens with a liquid base first until smooth, and then adding your other ingredients. This makes the smoothie less chunky and you’ll be even less aware that you’re downing hearty servings of kale. 

Be generous with the naturally sweet additives. Remember the yummiest smoothies have lots of fruits to make the taste sweeter and tangier.  Experiment with your favorites, and don’t hesitate to give yourself a generous serving! Little additions like shredded coconut and honey can also give your smoothie the sweet kick it needs, and a touch of savory ginger will help regulate the circulation of blood and strengthen immunity.

Choose a fun base. No smoothie is complete without a yummy liquid base! Try blending ice (remember to put it in the blender first!) if you like a slushier consistency, but almond milk, pressed juices and coconut water are all good alternatives to plain ice or water for a solid base. I personally like chocolate coconut water in sweet, berry-based smoothies, and I’ve found that there are a variety of pressed juices that will compliment any of my creations!

Go greek. Many people don't make smoothies without yogurt, and this is totally fine! Yogurt is a wonderful source of protein, calcium, etc., but remember that you are better off using greek yogurt. While regular yogurt may be lower in saturated fat (though not in all cases), greek yogurt actually contains nearly twice the protein, half the carbs and less sodium. Greek yogurt also takes longer to digest, which can make you feel fuller longer.

Use real proteins. While many people add protein powders to their smoothies for convenience, try adding natural sources of proteins instead of cutting corners! Chai Seeds contain omega 3 and fatty acids make you feel full longer, and almonds are also a wonderful and tasty source- containing both rich proteins and fibers that help lower cholesterol. 

Healthy living is a commitment, but juicing can really help make the process easier and tastier. Discovering your own unique creations is part of the fun, so don’t be afraid to replace meals with a more nutritious smoothie every once in awhile. If you follow the recommendations above, you’ll be on the path not just to optimal physical health, but also to healthier skin, hair, nails, etc... so get blending!