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I’ve been making my husband and myself a smoothie for 6-7 mornings a week for a little over a year and I can tell you that it has done quite a few things for us. Morning smoothies aren’t a new concept but I’m guessing that how I organize this little habit might help some of you get organized if you’re into morning smoothies. (I’ve linked up all my favorites at the end of the post if you’re interested!)
Here’s why I love smoothies for breakfast:
- It’s a great way to get extra fruit, veggies, fiber in our diets.
- It’s helped us both reach health goals.
- We stay full until lunch – yay!
- It’s simple and easy. Of course grabbing a muffin or a yogurt is easier but this works for us.
The hardest part was figuring out how and where to store smoothie ingredients to keep everything at the ready and easy to access in our rushed mornings. I usually workout before breakfast and come home, get the kids up and going, and make smoothies. I drink one while I’m helping the kids with lunches and getting ready for school and fill up a Yeti for my husband to take out the door. If I work out after the kids go to school I fill up a Yeti and put it in the refrigerator for when I get home.
Here’s the formula I use for making smoothies:
This is 1 serving – I usually double this for my husband and myself. If you’re looking for great smoothie recipes, get the book, Body Love – it’s life-changing – I also linked it up below.
- 8 oz almond milk (I buy the unsweetened boxes of vanilla almond milk at Costco) – you can use any kind of milk for this or water
- 1 tablespoon nut butter (cashew is my favorite, but you can use almond, peanut butter, sunbutter, etc.)
- 2 scoops protein powder (or whatever a serving is for your powder)
- 1/4-1/2 cup fruit/veggies – I use frozen fruit – if you don’t, you’ll probably want to toss in some ice
- fiber – I’ll add flax seed, oatmeal, hemp seeds, etc.
- sometimes I’ll add a tablespoon or so of unsweetened coconut flakes, cacao powder, collagen powder, MCT oil (coconut oil)
The Key to Keeping Smoothie Ingredients Organized?
Contain items together and group like items together. I keep nut butters on the door – you could easily put them in a bin or basket too and then I keep the packets in a narrow bin and the protein powders and other cylindrical containers in a wider bin. I can easily grab the whole bin or simply pull it out and grab the components individually. Don’t worry, the specific nut butters and flax seeds need no refrigeration – that’s part of the reason I use them. Want to see the full pantry? Head to this post.
I have these two spots in our pantry carved out for the smoothie supplies. I store extra ingredients below them. I like to purchase a couple protein powders at a time so I have a few on hand so we don’t run out – this works well because most of the ingredients are non-perishable.
How about you? Are you a smoothie fan? Would adding a little organization to your smoothie routine help you out in the morning? Any tips or favorite recipes? Share in the comments!
Check out my favorites below – these are affiliate links!
j.ackers Says...
I thoroughly enjoy everything sent but the ads that come with it are overwhelming…I understand needing the money that comes from these ads; but too much, I will miss all the clever and useful information, but give us a break!
b r Says...
Post authorThank you for that feedback – I strive to keep the ads to a minimum. I went and peeked at the post and all I see is the upper ad and the bottom ad. If you see more than that, please let me know and I can reach out to my ad provider.
Chrissy Says...
When I scroll to read your beautiful post, I get interrupted by an add between each page, plus the one at the top and the blinking add at the bottom, so six total. The adds between the pages are the most annoying. I love you and your message and bought your book from Amazon.
b r Says...
Post authorThank you – this isn’t normal – I’ve reached out to my ad company.
Holly Says...
I had 5 ads as I scrolled through the post and a 6th banner that stayed at the bottom of my pad as I scrolled. It is a bit much. But thank you for the post!
b r Says...
Post authorThank you – this isn’t normal – I’ve reached out to my ad company.
Sue Triggs-Rhuda Says...
I am seeing 5 ads in your post, sprinkled throughout the copy. It is really distracting.
b r Says...
Post authorThank you – this isn’t normal – I’ve reached out to my ad company.
Erica B. Says...
When I pull up this post there are lots of stationary adds (one on the top of the post, one on the bottom, and three adds embedded within every few paragraphs of the post itself). There’s also an add bar that is at the bottom of my screen that “travels” with me while I scroll.
Jen Says...
Same. I counted 7 total.
b r Says...
Post authorThank you – this isn’t normal – I’ve reached out to my ad company.
b r Says...
Post authorThank you – this isn’t normal – I’ve reached out to my ad company.
Lorrie Says...
Once opened, I store nut butters in the fridge to keep the oils from going rancid. I also use fresh baby spinach (not alone; use 1/2 and 1/2 or less with another green), kale, and sometimes Swiss chard.
b r Says...
Post authorThanks Lorrie! The nut butters I use require no refrigeration – that’s one of the reasons I buy it 🙂
Stacey Kaplan - Independent Scentsy Consultant Says...
I’ve always used peanut butter, but I was considering trying out nut butter or almond butter. Do they have a strange taste, or do they basically taste like peanut butter? I know, weird question.
sharon Says...
Ditto for the ground flax meal. The seeds last longer, but once ground, flax seed meal should be refrigerated to preserve the oils as long as possible. I like to start my smoothies with as many chilled and frozen parts as possible.
b r Says...
Post authorGreat tip! Yes, this particular flax meal (from Costco) doesn’t need to be refrigerated 🙂
pt Says...
Tough crowd today 😉 I love smoothies, but I don’t have them as a meal replacement-usually as a dessert replacement or as a sweet afternoon treat. (Probably because protein powder sort of skeeves me out…and I don’t think I’d last until lunchtime without that…) But, this is a great idea to make mornings go smoother. I eat quite a bit of oatmeal and love various toppings-so I have a similar organization system for all my oatmeal toppings-just makes sense if I use them so often. Have a great weekend!
b r Says...
Post authorHa! Thanks pt – love the idea for oatmeal toppings too!
Jess Says...
I think the “shop the post” section is cute and so useful. Love the format!
b r Says...
Post authorThank you Jess!
Abi Says...
We love Vega One shake mix (French vanilla is our favorite flavor at the moment). We don’t need milk or nut butter with it- just some frozen fruits and veggies plus water. We love hiding frozen spinach in it; and we also love the frozen Acaii packets
Ilona Says...
I love this post. I really appreciate all the references you list. I appreciate all products that you included in this post if you make money on it, great! Please keep all detailed posts coming.
b r Says...
Post authorThank you Ilona, I appreciate that!
Stacey Kaplan - Independent Scentsy Consultant Says...
I would have never thought to keep all my smoothie items together. I’m ultra organized, but I’m always circling the kitchen looking for all my supplies. I have some things in my pantry, some near my dishwasher, some above the stove…you get it!
Rian J Says...
I use a different system myself. This is ok though. I use those same containers for snacks in the fridge with label once labels. I’m working on some pre-baby smoothie packs this week, so I’ll snap a pic and share what I do.
Cindy Says...
Love this! Thank you for sharing!!
Nancy Says...
This is a great post. I already kept smoothie ingredients together, but really appreciate knowing about other items to add for variation, like nut butters that don’t need refrigeration. I’m a big proponent of cranberries and found a cranberry powder on Amazon. That is now in my smoothie group.
Kristine Says...
I love your posts. I find them helpful and not too wordy. I also don’t really notice the ads (just throwing that out there). Thanks for helping to kickstart me back on my way to a bit of healthy shopping & prepping. I am a terrible planner and have learned to utilize short cuts and stop trying for perfection.