So when I heard that Catherine McCord—Weelicious founder, business owner, and mama of three—had a new book, Smoothie Project, coming out, I was sold even before cracking the cover. Extra bonus: I had an opportunity to pick Catherine’s brain to learn just how she plans and preps her smoothies each day, and ways we can make ours far more delicious and nutritious.
Frozen Is Your Friend
The theory that frozen fruit isn’t as nutritious as fresh fruit is, well, just not true. Catherine agrees: “Out of season frozen fruits and vegetables are more affordable, especially when you’re buying organic.” Not to mention it’s easy to stock the freezer with them, so you always have smoothie ingredients on hand! HOT TIP: Freeze your bananas! They taste like ice cream, are super creamy, and add a good hit of potassium to your next smoothie.
Consider Your Blender
So, about my chunky, mediocre smoothies? Catherine says it’s probably time for a new blender: “If you have a good blender, you’re making a good smoothie.” Of course there are many price points from the high to the low, but ultimately you want to make sure that your blender has a powerful motor, is the right size for your family, isn’t too noisy, and ideally, has a smoothie setting (helps puree all those frozen chunks!). After talking with Catherine, I decided to trade in our ancient model for the NutriBullet Pro and am loving the small size and super powerful motor!
Work in a Veggie!
I know, I know. Especially if you’re just getting into making more smoothies, folding veggies in there might be a big ask. But Catherine aims to work one veggie into each smoothie and encourages us all to start small. Frozen cauliflower (you should be able to find it at well-stocked grocery stores) is an easy one, because you won’t actually taste it, and it makes smoothies super creamy. Sweet potatoes, kale, and spinach are other great contenders.
Don’t Overthink It
With all of the smoothie inclusions, supplements, and fancy blenders out there, it can be overwhelming to start making smoothies on the regular at home. But it really doesn’t need to be! “My principle for each smoothie is always fruit, veggie, protein, so you know you’re getting everything you need by 8 AM,” Catherine says. From there, don’t stress! What tastes good to you? What are your kids excited about? Maybe you want to try a protein powder or a new veggie to shake things up for yourself?
Do Your Prep in Advance
Like anything, it’s easy to get excited to start a new routine, and even easier to let it slip. Catherine advises setting up an area in your kitchen where you keep everything for your smoothies (your protein powder, bee pollen, and the like). She also keeps all of her frozen fruits and veggies in plastic shoe bins and labels them in the freezer so everything is organized and easy to find. Last, she loves making smoothie jars that contain all the mix-ins for each day of smoothies. Then she just grabs her frozen fruit and veggies and liquid of choice, and she’s off! We love that idea in our house and take it even one step further by making “smoothie kits” using Stasher Bags that contain everything you need for one smoothie, except the liquid (my favorite right now is frozen banana, cauliflower, a fresh date, hemp seeds, and coconut chunks).
