Smoothies for energy

Looking for a smoothie that will give you a boost of energy? Maybe mid-afternoon rolls around and your energy is lagging; you feel like reaching for a coffee and something junkie to satisfy a craving. How about a smoothie instead? Or, start the day with a super-charged smoothie. Here is a list of top energy-boosting foods that can be added to a smoothie:

• Berries – frozen or fresh. They contain loads of vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber.
• Bananas – good way to use up over-ripe bananas. They are a great pre- and post-workout fuel.
• Citrus fruits – I use orange mostly. You get the nutrition but don’t notice the taste. Lemons are more noticeable. Grapefruit I prefer to eat whole. The vitamin C provides a quick burst of energy and endurance
• Dark leafy greens – my favourite greens for juicing are kale (all types: curly, purple, baby) and sweet lettuces (baby spinach, Romaine). Leafy greens contain vitamins A, C, K, magnesium, iron and B which all provide natural sustaining energy throughout the day.
• Seeds – chia, sunflower, hemp, flax. Seeds help regulate blood sugar and also provide sustaining energy throughout the day. They are a great source of fiber and protein.
• Nuts - Full of magnesium and iron, most nuts provide a quick, sustainable pick-me up.

Here is one of my favourite energizing smoothies. 

• 1 orange (peeled), halved
• ½ cup pineapple chunks
• 1 banana
• 1 carrot
• 2 cups spinach
• I apple, quartered
• 6 cups of water or coconut water (I use much less liquid)

Here is a recipe from David Wolfe, raw food and superfood expert:

Superfood Berry Green Smoothie

• ½ cup blueberries
• ½ cup raspberries
• Handful of goji berries
• Flesh and water of one young coconut
• 1 tbsp raw cacao powder
• 1 tbsp maca powder
• 1 tbsp hemp seeds
• 1 tbsp reishi mushroom powder (mycelium)
• Inner leaf of a 4-inch square piece of aloe vera
• Spirulina and/or E3Live AFA blue-green algae 
• Leafy greens
• ½ to 1 cup spring water or filtered water 
• Raw wild honey, to sweeten

Blend the ingredients except spring water and honey. Add the spring water as needed until desired consistency is reached. Add the honey a little at a time according to taste blue-green algae during the cooler months as they are warming.

This one is creamy and might be best eaten with a spoon:

Chocolate, nutty, avocado cream smoothie

• 1-2 medium avocado, peeled and pitted
• 1-2 cups almond milk, or coconut milk, or half and half
• 1/2 cup mixed berries
• Handful of almonds or tbsp of almond butter
• 1-2 tbsp raw cocoa

Blend until smooth.

This time of year, I start the day with a loaded bowl of oatmeal made with slow cooking oats. I follow it up with a green smoothie. This will last me for hours. On less demanding days, I will have yogurt, granola and berries followed by a green smoothie. In other words, I don't rely solely on the smoothie for my energy needs, although some people seem to do quite well on just a smoothie. I treat it as a booster or supplement to my diet.

What are your favourite natural energy boosters?