RED VELVET SMOOTHIE >> how to build the perfect smoothie

Sometimes you just need something sweet and you need it fast: Enter, this red velvet smoothie. It captures the flavors and colors of red velvet cake but with wholesome ingredients like beets, cocoa powder, and vanilla protein powder. Swoon!

When I was in Bali I had the most delicious Red Velvet Latte that was a rich red color from none other than beets! I found myself craving this delicious latte but wasn't up for a warm beverage in this Spring weather. Instead, I created a smoothie! I enjoyed my smoothie has a bedtime snack but if you prepare it in the morning you could add a shot of espresso for a Red Velvet Iced Latte Smoothie! Wow, that's a mouthful!

If you've been following my blog for a while, you might recall the formula I use to build all my meals. It's called the Fun Four! We teach the formula in all of our one-on-one and group programs! The Fun Four Formula is a simple yet effective way to design purposeful meals that balance blood sugars. When your blood sugars are balanced you'll feel energized, satisfied, and ready to take on whatever the day brings!

This smoothie is Fun Four balanced with:

• Protein: plain Greek yogurt and protein powder
• Fats: frozen avocado
• Fibre-Filled Carb: beets
• Volume: frozen strawberries and a handful of spinach
• Freebie: unsweetened almond milk and cacao powder!

You can mix and match the ingredients to create your perfect smoothie. For example, the frozen avocado can be exchanged with 2 tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flax seed. I had vanilla protein powder on hand but if you have chocolate protein powder you can use that and omit at least one tablespoon of the cacao powder.

I love drinking my smoothie from a mason jar. Screw on the lid and you can take it for an on-the-go snack or breakfast!

RED VELVET SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (80g) beet, steamed
• 1 cup (140g) frozen strawberries
• 1 handful spinach
• 1/2 cup (125g) plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 scoop (15g) vanilla protein powder
• 2 tablespoons cacao powder
• 1/2 (50g) frozen avocado
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

DIRECTIONS

1. Steam, boil, or pressure cook your beets. A Instant Pot does a lovely job if you have one. You can make a big batch and use the leftover beets on salads! I've also used cooked frozen beets from President's Choice.
2. Add all of the ingredients to a blender. I like a thick smoothie and use only 1/2 cup of almond milk but if you like it thinner then add a full cup.
3. Pour into a cup or a mason jar. Screw a lid on your mason jar for an on-the-go meal or snack!

VARIATIONS

• Red Velvet Latte: Add a shot of espresso for a morning pick-me-up and to turn this smoothie into a frozen latte.
• Dairy-Free: Make it dairy-free by using a full scoop of plant based protein powder and omitting the plain Greek yogurt
• Red Fruits: Any red fruit will work. Try frozen raspberries or dark frozen cherries
• Sweeten It Up: for a sweeter smoothie, add one dried Medjool date

I WANNA KNOW!

Did you try this recipe? Comment below! Snap a photo and tag me on Instagram so I can see your creation!