This 5-minute strawberry smoothie (Crowded Kitchen) is so simple to make, and much cheaper than expensive store brands. One comedian said the main company had a cheek to call themselves ‘innocent’ considering the price – he suggests putting a banana in your mouth and shaking your head around, to make your own drink at around 26p! Homemade smoothies also means you can vary up the flavours, depending on what’s in season, or leftover in your fridge.
This recipe uses frozen strawberries or raspberries (you must freeze them first before making the recipe). The mango can be subbed with pineapple (sub with sweet apples for local, but it won’t taste the same), which also should be frozen. All you then need is to whizz up with plant milk and yoghurt, and add maple syrup to sweeten.
You don’t need a £200 Vitamix to make homemade smoothies. But do invest in a good brand with a glass jug (if you make a daily smoothie, the motor will soon burn out with those cheap plastic models). Also important is to find one that’s easy to clean, to avoid you getting fed up, and putting it in the cupboard to gather dust.
This homemade vanilla tahini shake (Minimalist Baker) is a far nicer alternative to plastic-packed supermarket smoothies and shakes. It uses ice-cubes made from coconut milk (Nature’s Charm is a nice brand sold in tins, free from monkey-slave harvesting) and if you prefer fruit, there’s a strawberry shake recipe to try instead. Keep spices away from pets (read more on food safety for people & pets).
The shake itself is made with your favourite non-dairy milk (this uses almond milk, we like ReRooted as it’s organic and packed in returnable glass bottles). And frozen cauliflower (yes!) This is because the humble cauli is very mild in flavour, and makes things creamy (it’s even used to make cakes!)
The shake is sweetened with maple syrup and vanilla extract (don’t skimp, fake vanilla is sometimes made with beaver extract), then flavoured with tahini. If you’ve never tried it, tahini is basically just creamed sesame seeds (sold in light or dark versions in glass jars). It’s easy to find and is packed with calcium. You can spread remaining tahini on toast or drizzle it on porridge. If you want, you can finish off this shake with a drizzle of coconut whip (or look in stores for ready-made versions by Nature’s Charm or The Coconut Collab).
If you like making smoothies and shakes, you don’t need a £400 Vitamix, but it does pay to invest in a quality blender with a glass jug. Cheap plastic blenders will just burn the motor out quickly, if you make a morning smoothie every day. Just as important is to find one that’s easy to clean, so you’ll be inspired to use it, and not just leave it in the cupboard, gathering dust!
This beet smoothie (Minimalist Baker) is blended with mango (prepare & freeze fresh mango using the simple glass method). The recipe contains frozen raspberries, spinach and carrot, so if ever there was a ‘use stuff up in your fridge’ recipe, this is it! Beets may temporarily turn pee pink, so unless there’s a medical condition, don’t worry too much! Read more on food safety & pets.
Beetroots are very popular in England, and as one of nature’s sweetest vegetables, ideal to use in smoothies and desserts (red devil cake is very popular in America, a blend of beets and chocolate). Smoothies are a great way to ‘hide’ veggies for those who won’t eat them! Don’t worry about expensive Vitamix blenders that cost £400 or more. Just invest in a good quality blender with a glass jug, to avoid burning out the motor. And one that’s easy to clean, so it will get used, and not just sit in the cupboard, gathering dust!
This maple-sweetened jamocha shake (Minimalist Baker) is a nice homemade alternative to a mocha coffee (chocolate and coffee). It’s made with canned coconut milk (Nature’s Charm is a good brand, sold in tins and free from monkey-slave harvesting) and sweetened with vanilla and maple syrup. Keep this recipe away from pets due to chocolate & coffee (read more on food safety for people & pets).
This shake even contains some protein in the form of nut butter. Top with coconut whipped cream (again, Nature’s Charm is a good brand or find tubs of vegan double cream in stores by The Coconut Collab). Better than coffee-shop shakes and no plastic packaging – and much cheaper too!
This iced matcha latte with mint (Minimalist Baker) is a refreshing shake, a good way to try out matcha powder (a Japanese superfood green tea, which is great to use also as a natural food colouring to turn your cakes and bakes bright green!) This shake is also naturally sweetened with pitted dates.
The shake uses coconut milk (we like Nature’s Charm, which is sold in tins and guaranteed free from monkey-slave harvesting). The shake also contains fresh mint leaves (you can add a little real mint extract too if you want this shake extra-minty).
Sweet Revolution’s Plant-Based Latte mix is made with earthy beetroot and fiery ginger, for a delicious warming drink, just add to steaming hot plant milk, for a frothy English-style cappuccino. Free from gluten and refined sugar, this mix turns a beautiful pink colour, and also includes health benefits from antioxidants, glutamine (an amino acid that’s good for the gut) and compounds from the ginger.
Ideal to drink in the morning or after a workout, beetroot has been enjoyed since ancient Greek times for its health benefits, taste and natural food colouring (it’s used extensively in Eastern Europe and Nordic cooking like for borscht soup). Athletes even drink beetroot juice before competing in events.
This latte mix combined beetroot juice powder with a little raw cacao powder (from a farmer’s cooperative in Peru to support the local economy), a touch of ginger and unrefined coconut nectar to sweeten (a much lower GI than refined white sugar and a nicer taste too).
