• To save time, you can “batch” steam and portion vegetables and smoothie ingredients all at once and store in individually portioned containers. “Batch,” as the name implies, is preparing and cooking many meals’ worth of ingredients all at once. Add any additional vegetables or fruit to your containers and refrigerate or freeze together for each individual Life Shake recipe. Freeze if you want to use the ingredients in a few days to reduce oxidation. Take your portioned smoothie ingredients out of the freezer and place into the fridge for a few hours before you plan to blend.
• Another time-saving option is to purée vegetables and fruit and freeze in ice cube trays. Using a high-powered blender, you can add the ice cubes of vegetables and fruit into the blender, add other ingredients, and blend. If you don’t have a high-powered blender, take the portion of cubes out of the freezer to let them thaw a little before blending.
• Don’t like bananas? Swap out banana with jicama, carrots, pears, apples, or cooked sweet potato for a sweet and nutritious boost.
• What can boost the creamy texture without adding cream? Cauliflower, broccoli, banana, avocado, sweet potato, pumpkin, even butternut squash. If you are having a hard time making your vegetables creamy, cook them a little longer. They should be soft without any “bite.” And to avoid overcooking your vegetables, cook them in uniform pieces and test multiple pieces. Blend on low to chop vegetables and then on medium or high to make smooth.

Dairy-Free Creamy Vanilla Smoothie                               

• 1 cup steamed cauliflower (microwave in steamer/covered bowl with water for 4 minutes)
• 1/2 cup banana slices
• 1 cup ice/5-6 ice cubes
• 1 cup milk/milk alternative
• 2 scoops Vanilla Life Shake^™
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon (optional, to taste)
• Pinch of nutmeg (optional, to taste)

Blend together cauliflower, banana, and then ice and liquid until completely smooth and creamy. Add scoops of Vanilla Life Shake and additional spices if desired. Turn it into dessert: Freeze for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, mixing the smoothie every 15 minutes to maintain a smooth texture. After it is frozen, scoop and enjoy.

Chocolate Mint Smoothie

• 1/2 cup peeled cucumber
• 1/8 cup avocado chunks
• 1 cup milk/milk alternative
• 1/2 cup ice/2-3 ice cubes
• 2 scoops Chocolate Life Shake^™
• A few mint leaves (swap for cinnamon if preferred)

Blend together until completely smooth. Add additional water or serve on ice for a lighter consistency.

Very Berry Green Goodness

• 1/2 cup peeled cucumber or (lightly) steamed green zucchini
• 1/4 cup spinach
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 1/4 cup strawberries
• 1/8 cup or 1 oz. avocado chunks
• 2 scoops Strawberry Life Shake^™
• 1 cup milk/milk alternative
• 1/2 cup ice/2-3 ice cubes

Blend together until completely smooth.

Café Latte Frappuccino Delight

• 1/2 cup steamed cauliflower (microwave in steamer/covered bowl with water for 4 minutes)
• 1/4 cup banana slices
• 1 cup ice/5-6 ice cubes
• 1 shot of espresso or 1/2 cup coffee
• 2 scoops Café Latte Life Shake^™
• Add additional milk/milk alternative for desired consistency.

Blend together cauliflower, banana, and then ice and coffee until completely smooth and creamy. Add scoops of Café Latte Life Shake. Add 1 Tbsp. of milk/milk alternative and blend to desired consistency. Turn it into a Mocha Frappuccino by swapping 1 scoop of Café Latte Life Shake for Chocolate Life Shake.

Berry Mint Magic

• 1/2 cup peeled cucumber or (lightly) steamed green zucchini
• 1/2 cup strawberries or favorite seasonal berries
• 1/8 cup or 1 oz. avocado chunks
• Mint sprigs, to taste
• 2 scoops Strawberry Life Shake^™
• 1 cup milk/milk alternative
• 1/2 cup ice/2-3 ice cubes

Blend together until completely smooth. Add additional water or serve on ice for a lighter consistency.