Vanilla Citrus Smoothie

This dairy-free Vanilla Citrus Smoothie is also gluten-free and includes paleo and vegan options! Made with fresh lemon, lime, orange, and ginger ingredients, this sweet ’n sour smoothie packs a punch! Thicken it with flaxseeds, chia seeds, or vanilla protein powder! {Paleo or Vegan}

Whenever I feel out of whack with my usual dietary/physical activity routines, admittedly I turn to smoothies for a “reset.” I’m not a dietician, and I don’t play one on tv or this blog. I can’t claim any actual dietary knowledge. What I can say is there’s something about a smoothie chock-full of fruits, (usually) almond milk, and (also usually) chia seeds that sets me back to rights. Or at least gives me the energy to weave my way back into an energized, healthier state of mind.  

And this gluten-free Vanilla Citrus Smoothie is just the ticket. Made with tangy fresh lemon, lime, mandarin orange, ginger, and a splash of vanilla, it will tickle your tastebuds and tantalize your palate. This isn’t just a blasé smoothie, made to look good in the mornings. Oh no. Not even close. Nope, if the lemon, lime, and orange aren’t enough to make you salivate, then the fresh ginger will step right in and pique your appetite!

Vanilla Citrus Smoothie is the perfect pick-me-up. In fact, K-Hubs took this to work when he had a mid-afternoon meeting and wanted to be comfortably full beforehand. He described it as the “perfect” choice. Not too filling, not too light.

So if you have a penchant for the sweet + sour flavor combo, then you’ll enjoy preparing and consuming a Vanilla Citrus Smoothie of your own! 

VANILLA CITRUS SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS:

This is a simple smoothie recipe to throw together!

Fruits. Lemon, lime, mandarin orange. Fresh all the way and peeled. Ginger. Fresh is best here, too. Almond milk. You can use whatever milk base you would like. Sweetener. Since this is a tart smoothie, we balance the flavor with something sweet. 100% pure honey (paleo) and agave nectar (vegan) work well. Vanilla. A splash is all that’s needed. Spinach. A handful of fresh spinach leaves rounds out the recipe.

HOW TO PREPARE VANILLA CITRUS SMOOTHIE:

Vanilla Citrus Smoothie is ready in minutes, and it’s the perfect make-ahead drink to enjoy first thing in the morning (or before a meeting, if you’re like K-Hubs)!

1. In a high speed blender, combine the almond milk, lemon, lime, mandarin oranges, ginger, sweetener, vanilla, and spinach. Blend on high until smooth.
2. If the smoothie heats up in the blender, then a handful of ice cubes.
3. To thicken the smoothie, add chia seeds, flaxseeds, or vanilla protein powder.
4. For best results, consume within 1-2 days. Keep refrigerated.

METHODS TO THICKEN IT UP:

This is a thinner smoothie. And blending the fresh fruits adds additional liquid to the almond milk. To bulk the smoothie up, I like to add:

• Chia seeds. If you stir them in after blending, the smoothie will retain its original flavor. If you would like to blend the chia seeds into the smoothie, you can do that, too. The flavor will neutralize.
• Flaxseeds. To prevent clumping, add the flaxseeds to the blender.
• Protein powder. Add a scoopful or two to the blender after the other ingredients have been added.

And if smoothies are your jam, then you’ll love the Smoothies recipe category right here on Spirited and Then Some. We have smoothies in nearly every color category. A rainbow of smoothies for all!!!! Some smoothie recipes are ideal for breakfast, others are tailored for on-the-go living, and others still are sweet, almost desert-like. A few of our current go-to choices include:

• Single-Serving Chocolate Chia Smoothie
• Triple Berry Power Smoothie
• Green Apple Spinach Smoothie

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