I love the taste of tart, fresh strawberries mixed with deep, rich dark chocolate. I love them even more when I can drink the two in a delicious and healthy vegan green smoothie. This is the perfect healthy dessert that will hit your sweet spot without sending you into sugar toxicity. Go ahead and have seconds, they’re just that good.

• 1 cup fresh strawberries
• 1 cup Navitas Naturals Organic Raw Chocolate Nibs
• 1 large handful baby spinach leaves
• 1/2 cup ice cubes

Blend together and serve in your favorite margarita glass or serve it with a scoop of raw vegan ice cream.

photo credit: stu_spivack

One thing that many people miss with vegan smoothies is the yogurt. Yogurt smoothies are rich and creamy, and have a flavor that many people love. Unfortunately, they are definitely not vegan.

So what is a green smoothie lover to do?

There are many alternatives to the yogurt smoothie recipe that vegans can do. Avocado is a creamy and rich is a great addition to any smoothie recipe. Using a sharp knife, cut lengthwise around the avocado, giving it a sharp twist to release the two halves. Then scoop out the meat inside and add to your smoothie. Try this simple recipe:

• 1 avocado
• 2 bananas
• 1 mango
• 1 handful turnip greens

Of course, for those who do not like avocado there are still great yogurt alternatives. Nogurt is a delicious vegan yogurt that has the same taste and texture as its milk counterpart. Add a scoop of Nogurt to any yogurt smoothie recipe for a great vegan alternative. Mix this recipe up for a healthy treat:

• 1 cup Pomegranate Nogurt
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup strawberries
• 1 banana
• 1 cup carrot juice

photo credit: love♡janine

Some days I want a smoothie that is creamy and milky. Vegans have the options of using many different milk options: soy milk, rice milk, and almond milk to name a few. Soy milk is a very popular choice, but with concerns about soy and estrogen, I like to use fortified rice milk with my smoothies.

Here’s a delicious creamy smoothie that I love on a hot summer afternoon.

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 cup spinach leaves
• 1 banana
• 1 cup rice milk

Blend this altogether and pour into a fun, summer glass. Then go relax in the shade and drink to your health!

photo credit: Rafael Kage

These are one of my favorite smoothies to drink first thing in the morning. The blueberry and banana flavor is a real comfort taste, a bit like mom’s blueberry pancakes. But this smoothie is so packed with healthy nutrients it gives me a boost.

• 2 bananas
• 1 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 handful kale leaves
• 1 teaspoon raw chocolate powder (I like Navitas Naturals – Certified Organic Kosher Raw Vegan Chocolate Powder)
• 2 cups water

Put all the dry ingredients in first, then pour the water in over it. I like enough water to cover everything in the blender, but you can add more or less to make it thinner or thicker as you like.

photo credit: the trial

Some days I just love a little tropical drink with a pretty umbrella sticking out of it. With vegan green smoothies I can still have that, and health too. This is my favorite tropical inspired smoothie for warm days by the pool.

• 1 large mango, diced and chilled
• 1 cup sliced pineapple
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1 banana
• 1/4 cup raw coconut
• 1 handful of kale

Toss it all in a blender and mix. If you like yours to be a little frothier, cut back on the pineapple juice and toss in some ice cubes instead. Pour this smoothie into a pretty cup, add a tropical umbrella, and pretend you’re living it up beachside.

photo credit: ~ Abdulhai A. Al-Abdulhai~

Is there anything more delicious than apples and pears? Not as far as I’m concerned! When they get mixed together it is opening the door to an amazingly sweet taste experience. Try this simple, yet super-healthy, smoothie and see for yourself.

• 1 apple, sliced with peel on
• 1 pear, sliced with peel on
• 1 cup kale
• 1 tbsp flax seed
• 1 1/2 cup apple juice

Blend together on high for 2 minutes before serving. You can replace the 1/2 cup of apple juice with 3-4 ice cubes to make this a chilled drink.

Serves 2

photo credit: vastfield

• 1 banana
• 1 cup frozen berries
• 1 cup kale leaves
• 1 tablespoon milled flax seed
• optional 1/3 cup apple juice

I like my smoothies thick, but I know some prefer thinner ones. Adding the 1/3 cup of apple juice will thin it down without disrupting the flavor of the berries.

Enjoy!

Smoothies can do more than just make us feel great, they can also focus on select areas that give us the most trouble. Those who suffer from stomach problems such as indigestion or pain, this is a great recipe to have.

• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 pear, sliced
• 2 stalks celery
• 1 cup spinach leaves
• half an avacado
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger
• 1 cup water

Blend these ingredients together and enjoy when you feel your stomach is going to give you trouble. The ginger will provide stomach relief for almost any ailment, while the other ingredients give you much needed antioxidants to help process out toxins.

photo credit: erix!

Drinking a vegan smoothie every morning is a great way to feel energized and alert at the start of your day. Many people rely on coffee to get themselves going in the morning, but a delicious smoothie will provide your brain with what it really needs to wake up.

Try this delicious smoothie recipe for breakfast and kick start your day.

• 10 frozen or fresh strawberries (if you use fresh be sure to add 2-3 ice cubes to the mix)
• 1 orange, peeled and sliced
• 2 large carrots, sliced
• 1 cup orange juice

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and mix until liquefied. This can be a little too thick  for some people’s tastes, adding another 1/2 cup of orange juice will thin it out.

Serves 2