{DIY Smoothie Kits}

I have spent the last few weeks eyeing an advertisement that keeps popping up on my social media accounts for a smoothie delivery program.  This particular company is organic, #whole30 compliant and delivers ready to go produce and add-ins already in cups ready to be blended with your liquid of choice.  Several times over the last few weeks, I visited their website and did what I am best at---added things to my cart, balked at the price, and backed out.  I mean I am not about to spend 7.99 on a smoothie- no matter how healthy or convenient.

So instead, I have been buying frozen smoothie mixes at the store.  But this has proved to be a challenge as well because it is incredibly difficult to find frozen fruit that doesn't have additives and preservatives.  Manufactures put chemicals in the fruit to keep the color of the fruit vibrant- but the things is...I've froze fresh fruit and vegetables before without them losing their color, so I think it is totally unnecessary.

I began to wonder if it would be healthier and cheaper to create my own frozen smoothie kits.  I am already thinking about heading back to work in a few weeks and how my meal prepping will change when both Tyler and I are working full time.  I want to invest in a small smoothie blender to have in my classroom so I can pack one of these smoothie kits and blend it at lunch time.  If anyone has a recommendation of a small blender/smoothie maker they love---let me know!

After deciding that smoothie kit making would be one of my new undertakings, I ventured to Sprouts to do some grocery shopping.  I picked up a ton of fruit along with some greens.  In the end I spent about 26 dollars on produce.  Sprouts was having some killer sales on berries and I already had a few of the ingredients on hand---so it could be that this won't always be such a cheap expenditure. When all was said and done, I had 20 smoothie kits in my freezer.  Each kit cost roughly $1.30.   

I used quart freezer bags and washed and cut all of the fruit before I started---this made the process go much more quickly.  Cutting the fruit to bite size pieces help the kit blend more quickly and smoothly.  In the end I prepped 20 smoothie kits in about an hour and a half.  I've listed some of the combinations I did today, but the possibilities are endless.  My rule of thumb was about 3/4 cup of fruit with a handful of greens and a 1 tsp. of chia seeds*.

This week's smoothie combos:

• Strawberry, Banana, Mango, Pineapple, Spinach
• Strawberry, Peach, Kale
• Blueberry, avocado
• Strawberry, Banana, Spinach
• Raspberry, Blueberry, Blackberry, Spinach
• Pineapple, Banana, Spinach, Organic Coconut (pina colada!)

We have a Nutribullet, so for lunch I will add a smoothie bag and about 3/4 cup water (any liquid would work).  I plan to do a smoothie and handful of nuts for added protein.  

What are your favorite smoothie combinations?

*What the hell are chia seeds?  They are quite literally the tiny seeds that come with those chia pet things everyone had when we were kids.  But instead of growing a plant, I use them as an added punch of nutrition in our smoothies.  There are numerous health benefits of these seeds but mostly they are packed full of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, antioxidants, and fiber.  They are gluten free and have a satiating effect- meaning that they bulk up and make you stay fuller longer.  Many people use chia seeds in overnight oats because it puffs up in the yogurt/oatmeal mixture and makes the end result more satisfying and filling.