Looking for a healthy way to kick off your day? Try a fruit smoothie.

If you know me, you know that I have a smoothie cup in my hand every day at school. I admit, I am a little obsessed. My family has invested in no fewer than three Ninja blenders. But if you are not a smoothie addict like me, these recipes and techniques might inspire you to give them a try.

This berry smoothie is one of my favorites, and it tastes even better than it looks. The trick to making a smoothie that will stop your hunger is to add Greek yogurt, which packs protein to keep you feeling full longer. When looking for yogurt, try and find one low in sugar and fat and high in protein. For this particularly colorful smoothie I chose a raspberry Greek yogurt to start off the berry theme.

Next, collect your berries, which are filled with antioxidants and rich in nutrients such as fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K. Here I just used strawberries and blueberries, but raspberries or blackberries work as well. Make sure not to forget the spinach or kale and to leave the tops on the strawberries. You want an abundance of colors so definitely don’t leave out the green. The real secret is chia seeds. They help with digestion and cravings and are an excellent source of protein and nutrients.
​
Time to blend! I recommend a Ninja blender with a personal size, but any blender will work. Throw in your full cup of yogurt, a handful of spinach or kale, about four strawberries, a handful of blueberries and a tablespoon of chia seeds. Don’t forget to add water to make the smoothie thinner. You can play around with the ingredients and amounts to balance out the flavors and texture. For a lighter variation, leave out the yogurt. Cut up a banana and throw it in the blender with a handful of raspberries and about four strawberries—with the tops on! Add a layer of greens and sprinkle a tablespoon of chia seeds on top. Who knows, you may end up carrying a smoothie cup around WHS, too!