According to the daily nutritional guide pyramid of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, adults need 2 to 3 servings of fruit per day. How many of you meet this quota?

 

A survey revealed that among the most common reasons for not eating enough fruits is lack of knowledge on how to add more servings to their diet and the tedious preparation.

 

Smoothies can address both these issues. Almost like a meal in a glass, it is so easy to consume that chances are, you’ll be getting the number of servings of fruit you need without even realizing it. And more fruits in your diet mean more fiber and more nutrients in your body, which leads to improved digestion, enhanced immunity, boosted brainpower, better mood, controlled cravings, and a more flawless complexion. So many health benefits from smoothies!

 

Preparation-wise, it doesn’t require much skill, effort, nor time. It’s practically just tossing a bunch of ingredients into a blender.  No cooking required!

 

Getting started

So how do you make a smoothie? 

Always begin with a liquid base. This facilitates smooth and quick movement of the blade when you start your blender. You can go for anything from milk and fruit juice, to just plain water. If you want something thicker, maybe you can try yogurt or ice cream. 

Don’t hesitate to get crazy and experiment! What’s the worst that can happen? Whether the mixture turns out watery and flavorless or the opposite, you can always adjust by adding other ingredients. It’s hard to imagine irreparable damage to a smoothie.

 

Choosing ingredients for your smoothie

It will be an advantage if you are familiar with the ingredients - their flavors and impact on the texture of the mixture. Of course, the ingredients you choose (and how much!) will determine how nutritious (or not!) your smoothie will be. Change up depending on what you need, what your health goals are.

Pick fruits that are easy to source, those in season. Mangoes are fantastic during the summer months. Fresh bananas and apples are always accessible, berries make everything delicious. How about avocados? Go for your favorites. 

 

Sweetening your smoothie

Prepare your smoothie according to your personal taste. How sweet do you want it? The fruits provide a nice foundation of sweetness with their natural sugar content. You can just build on it with sweeteners, if you’d like to. Honey or maple syrup is recommended. 

 

Making your smoothie healthier

Up the ante and make your smoothie even healthier by adding green leafy vegetables. The safest are kale and spinach because their neutral flavor doesn’t affect the taste of your smoothie.  You could also mix in a bit of turmeric or sprinkle chia seeds.

 

Filling up your blender

It is crucial that these ingredients be added into the blender in the proper sequence. If you just randomly throw in food, you run the risk of having a smoothie that’s not blended enough or ingredients getting stuck in the blade. 

The general rule is to have the softer items at the bottom and the more solid and heavier ones on top. So the order should be liquids, fresh fruits and vegetables; nuts, seeds, and powder; then frozen fruits and ice cubes. Be careful about adding too much ice, you wouldn’t want a watered-down smoothie. 

That’s pretty much it. Then you’re free to blend away until the smoothie looks good enough to pour into a glass.

But your smoothies won’t be a success without the right equipment. If preparing smoothies is something you intend to do regularly, you need the best fruit blender. 

 

The Smeg blender

The Smeg blender operates on an 800W motor powerful enough to handle even tough and fibrous ingredients. It can run up to 18,000 spins per minute. With four speed settings to choose from, the Smeg blender is guaranteed to deliver your desired consistency consistently. 

And the three default functions are sure to meet your every blending need. In ice crusher mode, the blender stops and restarts as its blades chop ice and integrate them evenly into the mixture. When set in smoothie mode, the blender whirs on until a fine concoction is achieved. The pulse button is there to speed up as necessary, it fires up the blender only while it is pressed down so it gives you full control.

It has a smooth start function which allows gradual acceleration to the selected speed, so there’s fewer ingredients splashing on the lid and sides of the jug, therefore resulting in a more efficient blend.

With a cast aluminum body and a non-slip base, the Smeg blender is sturdy. Its durability extends to its jug made of Tritan, a BPA-free material that is lightweight and unbreakable, which makes it easier to manage than glass. It is also dishwasher-proof. The 1.5-liter jug has a non-drip spout and is fitted with a transparent lid that seals the blender jug tightly. Embedded within the lid is a measuring cup that can be removed to open the well that can accommodate additional ingredients while blending. Its double stainless steel blade is wear-resistant and can be detached for meticulous cleaning.

The Smeg blender has a storage compartment for its power cord so that when it is just sitting on the kitchen shelf or counter, you can fully appreciate its signature Smeg curves and 50s design without any eyesore. It is available in pastel blue, pink, black, and cream.

The Smeg blender is very reliable and can meet your demands. It’s an investment that’s sure to come in handy in plenty of other ways. After all, a blender is not just for smoothies. 

 

Sharing with you a smoothie recipe by chef Rob Pengson of Beso Beso and Aleanza Institute of Arts: 

INGREDEINTS:

1 cup ice

2 pieces bananas

1 cup strawberries

Half tsp cayenne

Half tsp cinnamon

Half tsp sea salt

3/4 cup orange juice

3/4 cup yogurt

2 Tbsp manuka honey

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

Add all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. 

 

 

Prepare your smoothies with the Smeg blender. Try it out at the Smeg Experience Center at Park Terraces in Makati or Design Center in Mandaue. Or shop online at our home kitchen appliance store. For inquiries, message the Smeg concierge at sales@smegphilippines.com or @smegphilippines on Instagram and @smegph on Facebook.