Create a Simple and Healthy Smoothie Station

Plus a build-your-own plant-based smoothie recipe and a tried and true favorite

Whether you eat a plant-based diet or you’re just exploring a healthier lifestyle, smoothies are a great way to introduce more nutrients into your diet.

And once you create a simple and healthy smoothie station, you can easily include smoothies in your morning routine.

You can make them as healthy or treat-like as you prefer, and they’re a great way to start or end your day.

Years back, I started making a green breakfast smoothie each morning. I’d often make another smoothie or smoothie bowls in the evening as a sweet treat. It’s such an easy way to get the rainbow into our diet.

Kids and adults love them the same, and it’s a delicious way to boost your health. We tend to crave more of what we eat, so start slow with the greens, and soon you’ll be enjoying Swiss chard and kale, even if it’s hard to imagine it right now.

Getting all our fruits and veggies in every day can be a challenge at times. But when we pack our smoothies with healthy plant-based ingredients, we’re setting ourselves up for a powerful and impactful healthy lifestyle.

Once I realized smoothies were in our family to stay, I knew I wanted to make it easy. Life is busy, so I try and simplify and create shortcuts in the kitchen as much as possible.

I feel like doing more if I don’t have to search and remember where I put something.

Creating a smoothie station for our kitchen is one of the best kitchen shortcuts I’ve done.

Jump to:

• Create your perfect station
• Build Your Own Smoothie Recipe + Additions
• 📖 Recipe
• Smooth and creamy additions
• Superfood additions
• Green plant power additions
• Tried and true tips
• Chocolate Matcha Smoothie
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Create your perfect station

Equipment

One of the first things I did was invest in a good blender. With green smoothies, you don’t want to have chunks of greens; it takes away a lot of the appeal.

The best blender I’ve found are Blendtec and Vitamix—both are great options. It makes smoothies so easy. It’s a bit of an investment upfront, but it pays for itself. I’ve had my Vitamix for more than five years, and it’s still as good as new.

Not only is it good for smoothies, but I also use it for cashew-based dressings, almond milk, and almost everything else I can come up with.

Get the most high-quality blender you can; it’s a worthwhile investment — especially if you’re planning on eating more plant-based foods or healthy plant-based smoothies.

Storage

I love using airtight glass containers and mason jars for storing the add-ins. I have a shelf in my pantry dedicated to smoothie-making. I also have a superfood mix premade with a combination of ingredients I use every day.

Variety is good, and I love switching things up. But I know each day I’ll add certain additions. So I make a mix of flax, chia, pumpkin, and hemp seeds, along with bee pollen, amla, and goji berries. I simply measure out a scoop each day.

Easy.

I also have a section in the fridge and freezer dedicated to fruits, vegetables, and greens. I wash, precut, and store everything during meal prep, so it’s ready to go each day.

Liquids

I often use plant-based milk for the liquid: cashew, oat, soy milk, or almond milk. I also use water, juices, and herbal or sun teas for the liquid in smoothies.

Fresh-squeezed orange juice is one of my favorites, especially in green smoothies.

I also make homemade nut milk for smoothies, especially if it’s more treat-like. I do like the convenience of store-bought almond milk, but I prefer knowing exactly what’s going into it.

The more you make smoothies, you’ll learn your favorite complimentary combinations.

Your station

There is no right or wrong way to build a smoothie station. We all have different outcomes and priorities in our kitchen. Some might want every option available, while others will just want the basics.

It doesn’t matter what it looks like; what matters is that it’s functional and works for you and your lifestyle.

Experiment until you find exactly the right fit for you. The most important part of a simple and healthy plant-based kitchen is that it makes you feel to create and inspires you to eat healthy.

It can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Variety matters, as does enjoying what you’re drinking. Eating more plant-based foods doesn’t have to be hard.

Setting up a smoothie station will make your morning and days start the right way, nutritionally and productively.

Here’s a perfect place to begin.

Build Your Own Smoothie Recipe + Additions

📖 Recipe

Smooth and creamy additions

If you’re looking to add some healthy fats, choose one of these add-ins.

• 1–2 tablespoons peanut butter, almond butter, or nut butter of your choice
• Half of an avocado
• 1 tablespoon tahini (adds a slightly nutty flavor)
• A small handful of almonds, walnuts, cashews, or pecans
• 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
• Sweet potato (cooked)
• ¼ cup silken tofu
• 1–2 teaspoon flaxseed oil

Superfood additions

I love supplementing smoothies with extra bursts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s a great way to boost your health.

Always check with your doctor if nursing/pregnant, taking medications, or have any questions.

You can mix and match, but it’s important to only introduce one new addition at a time to see how your body responds. This can help you identify any sensitivities or allergies.

I typically add 1–2 teaspoons depending on the flavor and how much I’m making. Start small; you can always add more.

A few favorites

• Maca: Increases energy, promotes hormone balance, and enhances mood.
• Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory and powerful antioxidant
• Matcha: Boosts metabolism and is high in antioxidants
• Cacao nibs: Rich in antioxidants and may improve heart health
• Cinnamon: May help regulate blood sugar, anti-inflammatory
• Bee pollen: Nutrient-rich, boosts immunity and may help with allergies
• Spirulina: Rich source of protein, may help lower cholesterol
• Flax seeds: High in fiber and may help lower blood pressure
• Chia seeds: High in fiber and may help regulate blood sugar
• Hemp hearts: High protein and may aid in digestion
• Pumpkin seeds: Rich in nutrients and supports better sleep

• Amla powder: High in vitamin C and boosts the immune system
• Chlorella: Boosts energy and helps detoxify the body
• Lucama: Supports healthy skin and helps boost the immune system
• Mesquite powder: Fiber, protein, and minerals to support digestion and bone health
• Camu powder: High in vitamin C, supports mood and skin health
• Ginger: Anti-inflammatory and reduces inflammation
• Chaste berries: Supports hormonal imbalance and may reduce symptoms of PMS
• Goji berries: Supports immune system and eye health

• Aloe vera: Supports immune system and skin health
• Probiotic: Supports gut health and helps reduce inflammation
• Blackstrap molasses: Helps support healthy bones and energy
• Black sesame seeds: Nutrient-dense and anti-inflammatory

Green plant power additions

Leafy greens are a powerhouse of nutrients and vitamins.

I try and incorporate them into my smoothies each day. They’re packed with antioxidants, boost your immune system, help reduce inflammation, and support your body in the best of ways.

• Spinach (a perfect mild green to start)
• Romaine lettuce
• Kale
• Swiss chard
• Bok choy
• Arugula
• Microgreens
• Sprouts

Tried and true tips

• Peel and cut ripe bananas and freeze them, so they’re always ready. Separate into servings for a smoothie or smoothie bowl.
• Do the same with other fruits and vegetables. If something is on the verge of getting too ripe, freeze it in smoothie servings.
• You can use fresh fruit or frozen fruit and vegetables.
• Stock up on seasonal fruits and veggies and freeze them for your smoothies. I love buying cranberries during the end of their season and fresh-picked strawberries too.
• If you make fresh juice, herbal or root tea, freeze in an ice cube tray and add to smoothies.
• You can buy many frozen precut organic add-ins. Kale, spinach, squash, pomegranate seeds, avocado, and more. Easy, full of nutrition, and simple!
• You can store leftover smoothies in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 1–2 days. Shake well or stir before drinking.
• Make sure to start with less sweetener; you can always add more. Some fruits and juices have more natural sweetness.
• Green smoothies promote weight loss and enhance your health — it’s a great addition to your healthy kitchen.

I hope you're inspired to create your simple and healthy smoothie station — it’s an easy step into your healthy lifestyle.

Chocolate Matcha Smoothie

A delicious, easy, and healthy plant-based smoothie recipe

One of my favorite smoothies offered at the gym inspired me to make this delicious and healthy smoothie. It’s packed with all kinds of deliciousness and nutrients. It’s the perfect balance of good-for-you and addictively good. As always, experiment, adjust, and substitute as needed.

It’s a tried and true favorite.

📖 Recipe