Red’s 3 Favorite Winter Juices and Smoothies: Protein Packed Matcha Smoothie/Citrus Beet Juice/Tropical Carrot Juice.

Muahahaha…I am a little too happy and excited about today’s post.

Red’s 3 Favorite Winter Juices and Smoothies. All this winter color has me full of energy. I love that in the deadest and coldest season of the year, I can still find freshness and color to brighten my day.

The second reason I am pumped for this post??? I got Red (Redmond), hands down the pickiest eater in my family, to drink not only something green but something red and orange too. I swear, he totally drank these… which left me shocked beyond belief. He said the beet juice was his favorite, since it tasted super lemony, plus the red color didn’t freak him out as much as the green. The green matcha however was the favorite of my other brother, Brendan, and his girlfriend Lyndsie. I’m with Red though, I loved the beet juice best, then maybe the carrot and then the matcha, but all three are delicious.

I promise, promise, promise.

Sooo. Let me tell you about this post title came about. Little Red may have one of the poorest diets ever. Ok, well that’s not entirely true, he does eat lots of fruits, but very minimal vegetables, and the kid gets Chipotle way more times in one week than anyone would ever need. He has about five foods he will actually eat. Mac n’ cheese, chicken, Nutella crepes, Chipotle, and occasionally he’ll eat a California roll from a Sushi place (I know totally random).  Yes, he eats other things, but I swear these are his main food groups. Oh, and he also loves Ramen…but the packaged stuff, not the homemade yummy stuff. Of course, he loves all sweets too, but that’s a given, right? He’s also a HUGE snacker. Think potato chips, flaming hot Cheetos, pretzels and carrots dipped in bottled ranch dressing.

I think you get the point, he’s not the world’s healthiest eater. However, my mom and I are trying to change that this year. You see Red is kind of a cool kid and he’s totally not normal. He does not go to school (well he is supposedly enrolled in an online school through the US Team, but man I don’t know when he would have time to fit in schoolwork!), he travels the world and he snowboards all day long, all year-long… oh, and he’s fifteen! I know, I know, I’m jealous too. Kid has the life I wish I had when I was his age.

All the coolness aside, he can also be completely annoying at times, but hey, I am his big sis so that just goes with the territory. In general, though he’s a super nice and fun kid to hang out with. I hope he doesn’t go through the dreaded “teenage years”, cause man, that would be a bummer.

Anyway, my point in all this rambling is that I’ve decided Red’s gotta start eating some veggies. He’s flying off these jumps like an insane person and you guys, he needs some veggies in his system to protect his bones and keep him strong and energized. Since I feel like it might be nice to put some images in your head for you to properly visualize just what I am talking about, I added a quick video…

Yes, I know. It’s insane, right? And yes, that is our backyard in a couple of those clips, and yes, that’s what it has looked like for the last month. Also, did you see the tow rope?? The brothers made that!! For a bunch of snowboarders, I would say that was a pretty genius invention. I think it was actually my brother Brendan’s brainchild.

So do you get what I’m saying now? Kid’s gotta start eating better… and MORE. He is the tiniest kid. No seriously, he competes with grown men in their thirties… and then there is Red, who looks like he has not eaten a meal in a week, weighs 90 pounds, and is maybe 5 feet. I know, I know. YIKES!

Me being the best sister (he might argue that one) that I am, decided that I needed to make him a few veggie drinks!! some winter juices and smoothies to give him some serious energy for the next few busy months ahead.

Red has always loved fruit smoothies. Particularly strawberry and banana, so I thought I might – just maybe – get him to drink these super healthy ones too. The good thing about Red is that he can be open to trying new things. Key word – CAN BE. Over Christmas, he ate a whole fish taco and then I convinced him the juices were next. We had a little chat and came up with a few flavors combos we thought he might like. I then added extra healthy things like beets, kale, spinach, ginger, lemon, Matcha, and nut butter. Yum. yum!!

1. Protein Packed Matcha Smoothie

This one was a HUGE hit all around. It’s subtle in flavor, but packed with all the good things in the world (slight exaggeration) and perfectly sweet. This smoothie consists of kale, pineapple, banana, almond or peanut butter, matcha green tea powder, an optional scoop of spirulina and almond milk (or any milk of your choice). This is the perfect green smoothie for the people in the world who HATE green things. If it were not for the color, you would think this is just another yummy banana smoothie!

2. Citrus Beet Energy Juice

No joke you guys, this juice literally wakes you right up. I think it’s all the winter citrus!! This one contains, red beets, spinach, apples, blood oranges (or any orange you prefer), ginger, lemon and honey. To me, this was kind of like a super citrusy lemonade. I LOVE this one and have been drinking it non-stop. I actually don’t own a juicer, so I included directions on how to make this juice with just a blender as well. SO easy!

3. Tropical Carrot Juice

Bring on all the tropical eats… please!! OH, I am so ready for a tropical vacation. Like clockwork, the holidays are over and I am ready to be shipped off to the Caribbean. Since I have zero plans to travel anywhere warm this winter, this juice will have to do. It’s packed with carrots, pineapple, mango, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, orange, and coconut. I know, I know. So tropical. Must be why I love it so much!!

And there you have it – Red’s 3 Favorite Winter Juices and Smoothies!!

The great thing about all three of these recipes is that they are completely no fuss. You just need a blender and about 5-10 minutes to make them. SIMPLE. You can use frozen fruits to cut down on prep time (which I highly recommend since it keeps the drinks colder!!), and any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a few days. You could even make a big batch on Sunday so they are ready to go for your work week.

The matcha smoothie is great as a breakfast drink, and the juices are the perfect energy boost for the mid-day “ugh I am so bored and tired” slump.

PLUS, huge bonus points for these juices’ gorgeous vibrant colors. Just looking at them makes me happy!!

Lastly, if you make any of Red’s 3 Favorite Winter Juices and Smoothies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!