Smoothie takeover

Today the high temp is 95 degrees, meaning it's officially H-O-T in Phoenix. Cool off with delicious and good-for-you smoothie recipes from our fantastic student blogger, Heather.

Being incredibly busy is a part of life in college. Many of us barely remember what day it is, let alone remembering how many (if any) fruits and veggies you've had -- but throwing fruits and veggies in the blender is super simple and super delicious.

Don't worry if you don't have a fancy blender, you can buy a basic one online like this one I found on Amazon for under $40. If that's not in the budget, consider buying used at a thrift store (be sure to test it first).

There are a ton of ideas online for healthy smoothies and it can be a little overwhelming. Try to find recipes that have at least two flavors you know you like so you aren't venturing into a totally new territory. Avoid any that add a ton of ingredients as it can get expensive (especially on a college budget) and it complicates the flavors. The simpler the better with these healthy bevs.

Time-saving tip: Use frozen fruits and veggies to save on prep time.

Here are a few nutritious recipes I love:

Pineapple Mango Banana Smoothie

Yield: serves 1

• 1 mango (about 1 - 1 1/2 cups), cut into chunks (fresh or frozen)
• 1 frozen banana, broken into chunks
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2–1 cup water or almond milk
• chia seeds, for garnish

Click here for the original recipe

Sweet Spinach Smoothie

• 2 cups spinach leaves, packed
• 1 ripe pear, peeled, cored, and chopped
• 15 green or red grapes
• 6 ounces fat-free plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons chopped avocado
• 1 or 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Directions: Place all items in the blender and blend to desired consistency.

Click here for original recipe

Food Babe's Super C Beauty Smoothie

• 1 cup strawberries, hulled
• ½ red bell pepper, sliced
• ½ cup cauliflower, chopped
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 1 banana, peeled
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• ½–1 cup almond or coconut milk

Directions: Place all items in the blender and blend to desired consistency.

Click here for original recipe

Post contributor: Heather Johnson