Energy Fix Nutriblast

This is my go-to smoothie or Nutriblast when I need an injection of get-up-and-go - such as this morning!

The slow release energy from the banana and oats helps keep my stomach to feel fuller for longer and the caffeine and raw cacoa give a much needed caffeine boost for that energiser effect. The spinach is packed full of goodness, such as iron which is so important to keep your energy levels up and is also a great source of Vitamin A, B, C and K, manganese and magnesium and vitamin B13 and folic acid (especially important during pregnancy). The pear acts as a great -high-fibre but low calorie fruit to bulk the juice up and add a lovely sweetness whilst providing a great source of vitamin C too.

Here's how:

• 1 small banana (Fun size or children's ones)
• 1 small pear (Fun size)
• 60g spinach
• 25g porridge oats
• 1 tsp raw cacao
• 1 tsp instant coffee (I use Nescafe Azeera)
• 10g sunflower seeds
• 120ml water

Peel the banana and core the pear then add all the ingredients to your blender or Nutribullet. Blast for 20 seconds, check if everything is blitzed, if not blast again for another 20 seconds. Enjoy!

Sweet Tomato Smoothie

I've been enjoying a Nutriblast most days for breakfast during this healthy eating phase in a bid to lose weight. I love the fact they are so simple to prepare and the clean-up operation isn't too taxing.

Here's a lovely, sweet juice to start the day with. It comes in at 224 calories.

Sweet Tomato Smoothie

• 2 tomatoes
• 4 frozen strawberries
• 65g mango (fresh or frozen is fine) 
• 1 orange
• 1small pear
• 10g sunflower seeds
• 100ml water

Firstly peel the orange and throw into your Nutribullet or blender. Now remove the stalk and the core from the pear (no need to peel) and also add. Pop everything else in and adjust the water according to the consistency of smoothie you prefer.

Blitz for twenty seconds. Enjoy!

Here are some of my other favourite smoothie ideas:

• Green Goodness Smoothie
• Sunshine Bright Smoothie
• Apple and Mango Mojito
• Berry Blast Smoothie
• Banana Mocha Smoothie

Apple and Mango Mojito Smoothie

This healthy eating lark doesn't all have to be kale and garlic smoothies - although I'm getting quite into the more 'greens' based nutriblasts, variety is most certainly the spice of life and helps to keep me motivated, that's for sure. 

This juice/smoothie is a take on a mojito cocktail and frankly anything that reminds me of cocktails during diet and healthy eating regimes is a good thing. It's 308 calories and is really delicious. You can of course use fresh mango, but I like to use frozen as gives a lovely smooth and creamy texture to the juice and the chill is reminiscent of a drink in a bar!

Apple and Mango Mojito Smoothie

• 1 Granny Smith apple
• 1/2 avocado
• Whole lime (peel removed)
• 70g frozen mango 
• Handful fresh mint leaves

Add to the Nutribullet or blender the half avocado, frozen mango, mint leaves, the peeled lime and the cored apple. Top up with water (approx 100-150ml) and then blitz for 20 seconds. Enjoy.

Banana Mocha Smoothie

This is my favourite smoothie or Nutriblast by far for pre-workout, or if you know you have a hectic morning planned. The caffeine from the raw cacao and coffee granules gives you a real energy boost and the porridge oats and banana act to give slow-release energy which will keep you fuller for longer.

Not to mention this smoothie looks, tastes and feels (consistency-wise) like an indulgent milkshake but is simply 281 calories.

• 1 medium banana
• 1 tsp coffee granules or powder (I use Nescafe Azera Americano)
• 1 tsp raw cacao powder
• 10g sunflower seeds
• 10g Porridge Oats
• 1 tbsp 0% fat natural yoghurt (I use Yeo Valley)
• 100-150ml water

Peel the banana and add to the Nutribullet or blender with all of the other ingredients. Blitz for 20 seconds. Enjoy!

Berry Blast Smoothie

Here’s another smoothie or Nutriblast (juice) idea. This one isn’t vegetable based and does use a ton of berries, so mix it up on other days. Berries are full of antioxidants and since I’ve been enjoying a combination of smoothies, I’ve really noticed my skin is brighter and feels nicer, so hopefully it’s refreshing my insides too.

This one is 372 calories and is enriched with Goji berries and sunflower seeds. Using just 1 tbsp of 0% fat natural yoghurt helps to give a creamy consistency too which makes it taste absolutely delicious. The banana gives you slow-release energy so this helps keep you full up for a few hours too.

Berry Blast Smoothie

• 100g mixed berries (I use frozen but you can use a combination of your favourites)
• 1 banana
• 1 kiwi
• 1 tbsp goji berries
• 1 tsp sunflower seeds
• 1 tbsp 0% fat natural yoghurt (I use Yeo Valley)

Peel the banana and add to the Nutribullet or blender, then add all of the other ingredients and 100-150ml water. Blitz for 20 seconds – enjoy!

Green Zinger Smoothie

As with most of the UK, I have resolved to begin the new year a little healthier and shed the last stone of baby weight that I’m still holding onto 15 months later. I have added a couple of exercise sessions a week to my lifestyle and so far, so good, but most importantly, I’ve started making some small changes to my diet, as I do like to indulge and so am restricting calories and cutting down on carbs whilst trying to still enjoy a balanced diet.

Late in 2015 I invested in a Nutribullet and I have loved experimenting with flavours and fruit and vegetable combinations. The rule is that these should be at least half vegetable based to avoid being a sugar-laden start to the day which I do follow as much as possible.I like to start my day with a Nutriblast/Smoothie/Juice - whatever you call them, they are great.

Here’s one of my favourites which I like to call the Green Zinger – the ginger gives it a lovely zing (hence the name) and the avocado makes it a lovely creamy consistency. It’s 376 calories which is quite high compared to some of the others, but it’s a great combination that is filling and full of green goodness.

Green Zinger Smoothie

• ½ avocado
• 1 kiwi
• 10g ginger
• 40g kale
• 10g sunflower seeds
• 100-150ml water (depends on which consistency you prefer)

Remove the avocado from its shell/skin, pop the kiwi (no need to peel), kale, sunflower seeds and fresh ginger into your Nutribullet or blender. Add the water and blitz for 20 seconds.