drinks
Most drinks are best consumed fresh. Sometimes I secretly get on my bike and ride to a juice bar, but it really doesn’t take long to make your own smoothie or juice. If you like to make your own juices, but don’t always have the time (or motivation) to drag out the blender in the morning, make a big bottle ahead of time, store it in the fridge, and pour some into a smaller bottle each morning to take with you.
◁ Mint-Chocolate Drink
The combination of mint and cacao is so tasty! Drink it in the morning to start your day off fresh and sharp. The banana makes this drink quite filling.
PREPARATION TIME
5 minutes
INGREDIENTS
(makes 2 smoothies [201/4 fluid ounces, or 600 ml])
* 1 lime
* 1 banana, peeled
* 131/2 fluid ounces (400 ml) coconut milk
* 6 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons (100 ml) water
* 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
* Small handful fresh spinach
* 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
* 2 teaspoons raw cacao powder
KEEPS FOR
1 day
SUPPLIES
blender; jar with tight-fitting lid
Method Squeeze the lime juice into the blender. Add all the remaining ingredients and mix until creamy. Pour in a to-go jar.
Happy Spinach Smoothie photo shown here
A creamy smoothie with cacao that prompts your body to release happiness chemicals. The addition of spinach ensures you get an extra vitamin boost, which makes your body happy, too.
PREPARATION TIME
5 minutes
INGREDIENTS
(makes 2 smoothies [201/4 fluid ounces, or 600 ml])
* 10 fluid ounces (300 ml) oat milk or other plant-based milk of choice
* 2 bananas, peeled
* 1 avocado, peeled and pitted
* Large handful fresh baby spinach
* 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
* Pinch unsweetened vanilla powder
KEEPS FOR
2 days in the fridge
SUPPLIES
blender
Method Combine all the ingredients in the blender and mix until a super-creamy tasty smoothie forms. Pour your happiness into 2 to-go cups and take one with you. Put the other cup of instant happiness in the fridge for tomorrow.
Iced Mint Tea photo shown here
I often bring sprigs of fresh mint with me when I go out. I’ll find a glass of hot water one way or another and then I instantly have a tasty tea. It’s even tastier to drink your mint tea cold though. Add a big spoonful of honey and some fennel seeds and you’ve made yourself a heavenly iced tea.
PREPARATION TIME
10 minutes
INGREDIENTS
(makes about 1 quart [1 liter])
* About 3 heaping tablespoons (20 g) fresh mint leaves
* 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
* Juice of 1/2 lemon
* Raw honey, to taste
KEEPS FOR
1 day in the fridge
SUPPLIES
blender; large bottle
Method Bring 4 cups (1 liter) water to a boil and combine it with the fresh mint in a teapot. Let stand for 10 minutes. Strain the mint leaves out of the tea, pour the tea into the blender, add the lemon juice and honey, and blend. Pour the finished product into a large bottle and let cool fully.
◁ Strawberry Smoothie (with avocado and oatmeal)
Sweet, healthy, filling, and pink. I’m in love with this smoothie! Preferably made with fresh strawberries but, if they’re not in season, frozen is delicious, too.
PREPARATION TIME
7 minutes
INGREDIENTS
(makes 2 smoothies [201/4 fluid ounces, or 600 ml])
* 9 ounces (250 g) fresh strawberries, hulled (use frozen in winter)
* 1 avocado, peeled and pitted
* 1/2 lemon
* 1/2 banana
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 tablespoon (5 g) instant oatmeal
* 1 teaspoon (raw) honey
KEEPS FOR
1 day
SUPPLIES
blender; bottles
Method Add all the ingredients to the blender and mix until creamy. Pour into 1 or 2 bottles and take them to go.
◁ Cashew Milk
You can substitute homemade nut milk in any recipe that calls for regular dairy. Think desserts, smoothies, or with your granola. It’s also much creamier!
SOAKING TIME
about 4 hours
PREPARATION TIME
5 minutes
TOTAL TIME
Just over 4 hours
INGREDIENTS
(makes about 1 quart [1 liter])
* 51/3 ounces (150 g) raw cashews
* 11/2 teaspoons unsweetened vanilla powder
* Pinch salt
KEEPS FOR
3 to 4 days in the fridge
SUPPLIES
blender; milk bottles
Method Soak the cashews in twice as much water as the cashews for at least 4 hours. Rinse and drain. Combine the nuts with 33/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon (301/2 fluid ounces, or 900 ml) fresh water, the vanilla powder, and salt in the blender. Process for about 2 minutes. Pour the cashew milk into the bottles.
Tip: Don’t like the pulp? Strain the milk using a sieve before you transfer it to the bottles. The pulp that remains can be used for a smoothie.
Drink Your Veggies photo shown here
Hyper healthy! A shot of greens that gives your immune system a boost and tunes up your motor. Ginger and apple make this juice nice and fresh. You can keep this in the fridge for up to three days, so grab a bottle and go.
PREPARATION TIME
10 minutes
INGREDIENTS
(makes 2 to 3 juices [about 1 quart, or 1 liter])
* 31/2 ounces (100 g) fresh spinach
* 4 celery stalks
* 2 apples
* 1 cucumber
* 1 organic lemon
* About 3/4 ounce (20 g) fresh ginger
KEEPS FOR
3 days in the fridge
SUPPLIES
juicer; 2 or 3 bottles with tight-fitting lids
Method Rinse all the ingredients and chop them into small pieces. Process them in a juicer to make a super-healthy juice. If you remove the seeds from the apple and lemon before juicing you can use the pulp in a smoothie or add it to pancakes. Pour the juice into bottles, seal with the lids, and place in the fridge. Health and happiness guaranteed!
Golden Milk photo shown here
When I was learning about Ayurveda, I discovered this drink with cardamom, ginger, turmeric, and honey—and fell instantly in love. While drinking it warm makes you feel very relaxed, drinking it cold also creates a Zen moment in your day.
PREPARATION TIME
5 minutes
INGREDIENTS
(makes 2 bottles [201/4 fluid ounces, or 600 ml])
* 2 cups (500 ml) almond milk
* 21/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
* 2 teaspoons raw honey
* 1 (1-inch, or 2.5 cm) piece fresh ginger
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
KEEPS FOR
3 days in the fridge
SUPPLIES
blender; 2 bottles with tight-fitting lids
Method Add all the ingredients to the blender and mix until smooth and fully combined. Pour into the bottles, seal, refrigerate, and drink whenever you feel like it. The milk contains little bits of ginger. If you don’t like this, substitute 1 teaspoon ground ginger for the fresh ginger.
