Category: Smoothies

Gingerbread Smoothie

If it’s warm for Christmas, like it is here in San Diego, I’ll be enjoying some pickleball and a nice refreshing treat after. Like this healthy vegan gingerbread smoothie.

It tastes like a cookie but it’s made with cauliflower and banana for lots of nutrients. It’s also packed with flavor from all the spices. I hope you enjoy this deliciously unique treat!  

Serves 2

gingerbread smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chef v almond or oat milk
  • 1 tbsp chef v vanilla protein (or pea protein of your choice)
  • 1 cup frozen cauliflower chopped or riced 
  • 1 frozen ripe banana
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • 1 tbsp coconut nectar 
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 1/8 tsp allspice
  • A pinch sea salt
  • 1 cup ice 

Directions

Blend all ingredients together in a vitamix or blender for 1-2 minutes until blended smooth. I like to top with a tiny cinnamon and I found these super cute mug cookies to decorate with! 

gingerbread smoothie

Beetox Smoothie

Cleansing and alkalizing the body in the morning helps repair and balance the gut from salty meats and high starchy foods. Having liquids in the morning really helps our gut repair from any holiday destruction. 

Using cold vegetables helps keep the drink fresh longer. Will keep 3-5 days refrigerated.

ginger apple berry smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1/4 large red beet or 1/2
    small beet including green beet tops
  • 1 1/2 cups cold filtered water
  • 1 small carrot , chopped, top removed.
  • 1 small celery stick
  • 2 slices cucumber
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp. ginger
  • 1 tbsp. turmeric
  • 1/2 fuji or gala apple
  • optional:
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tsp fresh jalapeno
  • 1/4 cup ice while blending to keep cold

Directions

 Blend 1-2 minutes until the juice seems pulverized and not chunky. Make sure to add ice to keep cold while blending. Shake well before drinking. Best with a straw. 

The Health Benefits Of Drinking Breakfast

drinking breakfast

Genetics isn’t the only reason V maintains a slim figure. For years, a vital component of her weight-management and gut-health strategy has been breaking the daily fast with liquids. Replacing a conventional breakfast with liquids has many health benefits and V’s here to explain…

If you’ve been following me for years, you already know how important NOT eating breakfast is.

But if you’re new to this concept, maybe you’re thinking, “Wait. I thought breakfast was the most important meal of the day.”

Now, I don’t wanna suggest that your mom didn’t know what she was talking about when you were a kid. Without doubt, eating nutrient-dense foods like fruit and eggs is important for a developing brain and body.

However, now that you’re an adult, your metabolism might be starting to slow down. And one reason why might not have anything to do with your age. Rather, it’s the fact that your body has a high toxic load. In other words, your detoxification organs such as the liver can’t clear toxins out more quickly than they accumulate.

There are several reasons why toxic overload occurs. For example, heavy metals can accumulate in your body. There’s pesticides from the food supply and harsh chemicals in skin care products, hair care products and household cleaners.

So what does this have to do with not eating food for breakfast and instead only having liquids when it’s time to break your fast?

The answer is that by not eating food, you’re giving your body a longer time to detoxify.

lemon water

V’s Liquid Breakfast Routine

Actually, before I break my fast with Organic Green Drink, I have a tall glass of warm lemon water. Then I wait until I'm hungry to have a Green Drink.

Like naturally waking up with the morning light instead of being startled awake by a harsh alarm clock, a liquid breakfast gently wakes up your digestive system. And the water and Green Drink keeps the detoxification going. Your body naturally detoxifies every night. Or at least it tries to. But when you eat a standard breakfast first thing in the morning, your digestive and detoxification systems are hard at work again.

Now, in order to feel satisfied with a liquid breakfast, here’s what I do…

About half an hour after having my Green Drink, I’ll make a smoothie with fruit, veggies, vegan protein (pea protein is my fav) and healthy fats such as avocado, chia and flax seeds.

With my cookbook, Making Cleansing Easier (which you can get as a complementary download with a purchase of a CHEF V 21 DAY CHALLENGE), you’ll never get bored of smoothies.

In addition to my cookbook smoothie recipes, I have even more smoothie recipes on my blog.  My Tropitaya Smoothie, featuring super-easy-to-digest pea protein, is one of the most popular. I also like to add ginger and turmeric to it to support my metabolism and keep inflammation in check.

berry parfait

Benefits of Drinking Your Breakfast

In addition, I’ll add ingredients that support my gut health without bloating my belly, such as bio-k fermented vegan products. Unlike regular probiotic drinks that have dairy—one of the biggest triggers of inflammation in the body—the vegan probiotic drinks I use have fermented oat and pumpkin seed as a base.

Not only does a liquid breakfast make it easy for the digestive system to “wake up,” there are other benefits as well.

Of course, you could have a liquid breakfast consisting of coffee, orange juice and Red Bull to kickstart your day. Obviously, that ain’t healthy. But as long as you’re sticking to a routine of lemon water or herbal tea; Organic Green Drink followed by a smoothie with vegan protein and a small amount of fats, you’ll be supporting your health in many ways.

Healthy liquid breakfasts may help prevent overacidity in the gut enviroment (stimulates alkalinity) and help cleanse the colon of harmful bacteria.

But don’t just take my word for it. There’s plenty of research that supports this. For instance, a study in the British Journal of Nutrition, suggests that a liquid breakfast improved the blood sugar levels of 123 patients with type 2 diabetes.

Another study in the journal, Appetite, concluded that a plant-based liquid breakfast (made with plant protein) led to consuming less calories and was more satisfying to the subjects than eating a conventional breakfast.

In general, I believe that liquid breakfasts are awesome for improving digestion, boosting detoxification and sharpening mental focus.

Give it a try for a couple weeks and see how you feel. For me and my husband, Brandon, and for thousands of Chef V customers, making the switch from a conventional breakfast to a liquid one has been one of the simplest yet most profound things we’ve done to look and feel our best.

Love,

V

Chef V Tropical Smoothie

Chef V’s tip: Mangos contain tartaric acid, malic acid, and a trace of citric acid, which help maintain the alkaline balance of our bodies. Use my Tropical Green Drink as the base for this recipe for a cool, refreshing smoothie.

For a variation on this recipe, add fresh ginger, fresh turmeric, and vanilla pea protein powder.

pumpkin puree

TOTAL: 10 minutes

Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup fresh or frozen mango pieces
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen pineapple pieces
  • 2 large kale leaves
  • 2 cups Chef V Tropical Smoothie Green Drink
  • 1/2 cup ice
  • 1 tbsp vanilla pea protein (optional)

Superfood boosts:

  • 1 tsp. Fresh ginger
  • 1 tsp. Fresh turmeric
  • 1 tsp. Bee pollen

Directions

Process all ingredients in a Vitamix for 1 to 2 minutes, or until smooth. Will keep for up to 3 days refrigerated.

Bon Appétit!

Creamy Green Smoothie

My creamy green smoothie has it all: a rich creamy flavor from avocado, plus dark leafy greens, a natural sweetener from dates, and fiber from chia seeds. A pinch of cinnamon and a squeeze of lemon add spice and acid. Health alert: potassium is an important mineral that most people don’t get enough of. But instead of reaching for a banana, eat an avocado – it contains more potassium and way less sugar. 

Chef V’s Food Fact: Avocados are a nutritionist’s dream food – packed with nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, vitamin E, B vitamins, and folic acid. Have one in a creamy green smoothie!

creamy green smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1 small ripe avocado
  • 2 large leaves green kale
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 2 medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 lemon, juice only
  • Pinch of cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1 1/2 cups filtered water
  • 1 cup ice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Will keep for up to 3 days refrigerated.

Bon Appétit!

Green Protein Smoothie (with Kale)

Adding Kale to a green protein smoothie makes it so good for you. Kale is a wonder in the world of superfoods. It is packed with carotenoids and flavonoids, the key antioxidants that protect our cells from free radicals.  – Veronica

green smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1 medium leaf green chard
  • 2 large leaves green kale
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen mango pieces
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen pineapple pieces
  • 1 cup Chef V’s raw almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1 1/2 cups filtered water
  • 1 scoop plain or vanilla vegan protein powder (use hemp, pea or brown rice protein, do not use soy protein)

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Will keep for up to 3 days refrigerated.

    Bon Appétit!

Banana Blue Smoothie

A smoothie recommended for the nursing mom!

This is our most popular smoothie and the smoothie my husband has every day: Banana Blue. I don’t typically share banana based smoothies since bananas are excluded from the Chef V cleanse because of their high starch and sugar content.

However, for nursing moms, banana and blueberries are great for healing the uterus and producing breast milk. I’ve added some nutritional super boosts too like chia seeds and almond butter.

And of course remember to use all organic!

banana blue smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Chef V's Almond Milk
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1 loose cup of kale, spinach or other greens
  • 1 cup ice
  • 1 tbsp. Chef V vanilla pea protein
  • 1 tsp. Chia seeds
  • 1 tbsp. Almond butter

Directions

Blend in high for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Enjoy! Serves 1.

Super Antioxidant Smoothie

Antioxidants are substances that may prevent cell damage. Berries, kale, and beets are great natural sources of antioxidants. Enjoy ihis super antioxidant smoothie in the morning after your 16 oz. of Organic Green Drink.

super smoothie

TOTAL 10 minutes

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Serving Size: 1 Person

Ingredients

  • ½ cup organic blueberries (fresh or frozen)
  • ½ cup organic raspberries (fresh or frozen)
  • ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
  • ¼ cup diced organic red beet, raw
  • 2 pieces of organic green kale
  • ½ cup ice
  • ½ cup coconut water
  • 1 serving of Chef V Ultra Shake protein powder or Powder of your choice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add ¼ cup filtered water if necessary. Bon Appétit!

Red White & Blue Smoothie Bowl

My Red White & Blue Breakfast Smoothie Bowl is delicious, good for you, and easy to make. Start off the holiday celebration with this yummy breakfast!

Use any smoothie as the base. Top with raspberries or strawberries, blueberries and coconut shreds.

My favorites smoothies to use as the base are:

red white blue smoothie

Ingredients

  • 2 cups smoothie from my drinks recipes 
  • 1/2 cup strawberries, blueberries or other fresh organic berries

Optional: gluten free granola

Directions

Fill bowl with one of my favorite smoothies. Top with raspberries or strawberries and layer the coconut shreds and blueberries to make a patriotic treat.

Chef V’s Immunity Smoothie

I've created this new Immunity Smoothie to start the day. Made with ginger, turmeric, kale and coconut water, it gives me extra drive as I start a busy day.

Immunity Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup coconut water
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 piece kale
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger
  • 1 tbsp fresh turmeric
  • 1 dash black pepper

Directions

Mix all ingredients and enjoy!

Tropitaya Smoothie

One of the most popular smoothies (and one of my favorites) at our stores in New Jersey and San Diego, the Tropitaya Smoothie is so refreshing after a yoga class or to cool off on a hot day.

super smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup frozen pitaya
  • 1/4 cup pineapple
  • 1/4 cup mango
  • 1 large piece of kale or other nutritious green
  • 1 cup ice
  • 1/2 cup coconut water
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 tbsp pea protein

For a healthy variation, add 1 tbsp fresh ginger and 1 tsp fresh turmeric

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add ¼ cup filtered water if necessary. Bon Appétit!

Breakfast Smoothie Bowl

My breakfast smoothie is delicious, good for you, and easy to make. What’s not to like?

breakfast smootihe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup tropical green drink or green drink (If not green drink use 1/2 cup water)
  • 1/2 cup coconut water 
  • 1 cup greens (spinach, kale, or chard)
  • 1/2 cup mango
  • 1/2 cup pineapple
  • 1/2 cup ice 
  • 1 tbsp pea protein 

Directions

Blend in vitamix or blender for 1-2 minutes until thick and smooth but not watery. Top with 1/2 cup mixed fresh cut fruit of choice and gluten free granola.

Piña Kale’oda Smoothie

A new recipe at our San Diego store and an instant favorite. Pineapple, coconut, kale and oat milk make a smoothie that is a refreshing, healthy, and delicious “taste of the tropics”.

super smoothie

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup Chef V’s oat milk
  • 1/2 cup organic pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
  • 1 large piece green kale
  • 1 tbsp. Unsweetened Coconut shreds
  • 1 tbsp. Vanilla pea protein
  • 1 cup ice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend for 2 minutes until it’s completely mixed and smoothie consistency. Enjoy!

Peaches & Cream Smoothie

June 21st is National Smoothie Day and National Peaches and Cream day so you know we had to make up a healthy Peaches and Cream Smoothie.

peaches & cream smoothie

Ingredients

Serves 2

  • 1 cup filtered water
  • 1/4 cup organic cashews
  • 1 cup frozen peaches
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tbsp. vanilla pea protein
  • 1 dash of cinnamon (trust me!)
  • 1 cup ice

Directions

Blend the cashews with the water for one minute. Then add peaches and the rest of ingredients and blend for 1 minute.

Pour and enjoy. This recipe is perfect anytime this summer.

Morning Mojito Smoothie

Keep it up! After you cleanse, it is important to maintain healthy habits – have 16 oz. of Chef V's Organic Green Drink first thing in the morning, then followup with a healthy smoothie. 

sweet potato bunnies

TOTAL 10 minutes

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Serving Size: 1 Person

Ingredients

  • ½ cup ice 2 cups organic spinach
  • ¼ cup fresh or frozen pineapple (skinned and chopped)
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 cup filtered water
  • 5-10 mint leaves (depending on how minty you like it!)
  • 1 serving of Chef V Ultra Shake protein powder or Powder of your choice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add ¼ cup filtered water if necessary. Bon Appétit!

Ginger Apple Berry Smoothie

This ginger apple berry smoothie not only tastes great but is loaded with antioxidants to fight free radicals and reduce inflammation. 

Antioxidants are substances that may prevent cell damage. Berries are great natural sources of antioxidants.

Enjoy this popular smoothie in the morning after your 16 oz. of Organic Green Drink.

ginger apple berry smoothie

TOTAL 10 minutes

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Serving Size: 1 Person

Ingredients

  • ½ Fuji apple
  • ½ cup blueberries
  • ½ cup raspberries
  • 2 small pieces organic red chard
  • 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced (I use a garlic presser)
  • 1 cup ice
  • ¾ cup almond milk
  • Optional: 1 serving of vegan protein powder (hemp, pea, or brown rice)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add ¼ cup filtered water if necessary. Bon Appétit!

Skinny Shamrock Smoothie

Shamrock Smoothies are popular around St. Patrick’s Day.  However, they are typically not very healthy.

Here is my favorite version of a Shamrock Smoothie. It’s light, healthy, creamy and it tastes so good!

It’s also a low sugar smoothie. Stay skinny and look your best in green with this delicious recipe.

skinny shamrock smoothie

TOTAL: 15 min

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Serving Size: 1 Person

Ingredients

  • 1 small avocado (or ½ large avocado)
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 date, pitted
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1 cup kale
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp. chia seeds
  • 1 tbsp. Chef V vanilla pea protein

Directions

Blend all ingredients together in Vitamix or blender for 1-2 minutes, until smooth. Serve in your favorite glass and garnish with a spinach leaf cut out like a shamrock.

Beet-It Smoothie

Go red! Research has shown that red fruits and vegetables such as beets and raspberries are nutritional superheroes. So drink up! – Veronica

ginger apple berry smoothie

Ingredients

  • ½ cup organic blueberries (fresh or frozen)
  • ½ cup organic raspberries (fresh or frozen)
  • ¼ cup diced organic red beet, raw & skinned
  • 1 piece organic red chard
  • ½ cup ice
  • 1 cup organic unsweetened almond milk
  • Optional 1 serving of vegan protein powder (hemp, pea, or brown rice)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add ¼ cup filtered water if necessary. Bon Appétit!

Pumpkin Smoothie

This smoothie tastes rich and decadent – but it is vegan and gluten free as well. I use raw cashews and my own Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend to make this a healthy, delicious treat that won’t make you bloated. – Veronica

pumpkin pie smoothie

Ingredients

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a Vitamix or blender. Blend on high speed until smooth. Serve in glasses with a straw or a spoon. – Veronica

Warm Carrot Ginger Smoothie

Warm Carrot Ginger Smoothie – As the weather gets cold, I’ve found myself wanting something loaded with veggie goodness but not cold in my mouth – brrr! So here’s my new recipe, a smoothie that’s a little sweet, a little spicy and comforting on a cold winter morning.

warm carrot ginger smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1/2 large carrot
  • 1/2 cup apple juice
  • 1/2 lemon juiced
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 1 tsp. fresh ginger
  • 1 cup hot water

Directions

Blend all ingredients except hot water in blender. Remove, pour into cup and top with hot water.

Super Smoothie

This Super Smoothie has everything – fresh fruit, avocado for richness, kale for vitamins, ginger for zing, and my protein powder for nutrition. Enjoy it in the morning after your 16 oz. of Organic Green Drink.

super smoothie

TOTAL 10 minutes

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Serving Size: 1 Person

Ingredients

  • ½ organic pear,
  • ripe ¼ avocado
  • ½ organic cucumber
  • ½ lemon juice
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • 1-2 pieces organic green kale
  • 1 tsp. fresh ginger, minced
  • ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1 serving of Chef V Ultra Shake protein powder or Powder of your choice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add ¼ cup filtered water if necessary. Bon Appétit!

Shamrock Smoothie Bowl

shamrock smoothie bowl

Smoothie bowls are growing in popularity. They are easy to make, super nutritious and they look so pretty! I love green smoothie bowls because you can make them all sorts of different flavors on the top or blended in.

Smoothie Bowls!

This March, I’ve dedicated a special smoothie bowl to St. Patrick’s Day with my Shamrock Smoothie Bowl. I decided to decorate it with nutritious super foods like chia seeds, hemp seeds, coconut and crushed nuts. You can also add fresh fruit like berries, kiwi, apple, mango, pineapple, goji berries, or whatever your heart desires.

Chef V’s Shamrock Smoothie Bowl

Here is my Smoothie bowl and even a video above for you to watch the recipe! Pin on Pinterest and share with your friends on Facebook!

Ingredients

2 cups spinach

½ cup mango

1 cup ice

1 cup almond or coconut milk

1 tbsp. spirulina

1 tbsp. hemp seeds

1 tsp. chia seeds

1 tbsp. crushed raw almonds

2 tsp. unsweetened shredded coconut

Directions

Blend spinach, mango, ice, almond milk, and spirulina in a Vitamix or food processor for 1-2 minutes on high. Pour green mix into a bowl. Decorate the top with hemp seeds, chia seeds, raw almonds and coconut. Serve right away and enjoy!

Veronica and Coconut and kale

© 2021 Chef V, LLC.