Happy Easter everyone! I hope your holiday is filled with sunshine, happiness, peace and good food. I'm so excited that spring is here so that more and more of you guys can join with me to lend up frosty, warm-weather perfect spring smoothies and shakes - filled with wellness, flavor and fun. (I know many of you are still hoping the cold exits swiftly so some spring sunshine can sparkle into your home.)
Smoothie Season. Since I kinda love posting a special smoothie on Easter (like this one!) I decided to do a duo of smoothies this year. My Spring Swirl Shake is a frosty, fruity blend with flavors of banana, watermelon and an energizing shot of green to top things off. And my Chocolate Almond Butter Ripple Shake is dessert-approved, yet healthy enough to sip whenever you crave it! (It reminds me of a chocolate peanut butter candy bunny!)
Pre-Order is happening.. You can find 365 smoothie recipes just like these in my book 365 Vegan Smoothies, out June 4th! All the details here. Cheers to spring and the upcoming smoothie season.
And ps, I have a question about protein powder brands for YOU guys..
Spring Swirl Smoothie
vegan, serves 2
yellow layer:
2 frozen bananas
½ cup - ¾ cup non-dairy milk
¼ cup frozen pineapple OR just add ¼ cup ice (optional - adds slight iciness to this layer)
pink layer:
½ frozen banana
1 cup frozen watermelon cubes (OR frozen red berries like strawberries or raspberries)
½ cup non-dairy milk
Green shot on top:
½ cup non-dairy milk
1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder OR ½ cup raw greens
1 heaping scoop of your favorite vanilla-flavored vegan protein powder
Tip: use as little liquid as possible so that you end up with thick shake-like layers - I gave ranges because some blenders have more power than others.
To Make:
1. Blend up the banana layer. This will be the thickest layer to pour first and let it sit on the bottom.
2. When creamy, pour banana into serving glasses. You do not need to rinse the blender.
3. Add the pink layer ingredients and start blending until smooth. Pour pink on top. It will be a bit lighter and icier so it will sit nicely on top.
4. Last to blend is the liquid green shot. Blend and pour over top the smoothies. Swirl the green so that it drizzles down the outer-inside side of the glass creating a swirled look.
Serve! This smoothie should be thick enough to eat with a spoon.
Chocolate (Peanut Butter or Almond Butter) Ripple
vegan, serves 1-2
1 ½ frozen bananas
½ cup frozen watermelon (or substitute: frozen strawberries)
¾ cup non-dairy milk, vanilla
1 heaping tablespoon almond butter, salted
1 heaping tablespoon your favorite chocolate protein powder (OR 1 teaspoon cacao powder + 1 teaspoon agave syrup)
dash of cinnamon
2-3 ice cubes
1-2 teaspoon maca powder (givea a malted flavor to the cocoa!) (optional)
topping: 1 teaspoon soft almond butter (warm in microwave if needed to soften)
Blend, add a few swirls of almond butter on top and serve! Start with ½ cup non-dairy milk and add more as needed to blend. This will make sure your shake is nice and thick.
These shakes were blended in a high speed blender. If you are thinking of investing in a Vitamix or BlendTec blender - now id the time for spring! I'm happy to ask any questions you have about them if you are on the fence. I use my Vitamix at least twice a day and I couldn't imagine my vegan kitchen without it.
BlendTec Blenders - free shipping with this link - buy online / browse models
Vitamix Blenders - get free shipping with this link
Perfect pairing: 365 Vegan Smoothies
Get ten vegan shake recipes here!
Question: Protein Powders! I am working on doing a post reviewing ALL (as many as possible) the top vegan protein powders out there. If you have a favorite PLEASE leave it in the comments section! I want to buy and taste test all brands and do a blind taste test and review some of the nutritional info for you. What are your favorite vegan protein powder brands?? Other smoothie add-ins like green powder, cacao powder etc also up for discussion.
Kathy Patalsky says
🙂 YES
Sarah says
Holy. Crap. I used dark chocolate almond milk cause I didn't have vanilla on hand and ohhh mmyy gossshh this is the best thing I have ever ever ever tasted. I can't get over how rich and creamy the frozen watermelon makes this, my life has been forever changed.
Kathy Patalsky says
Ahh, I am just about done sampling and NEED the herbalife product! Can you hook me up? I wouldn't know where to find! Are you an affiliate? Email me! k at lunchboxbunch dot com thanks!!!
Sue Coates says
I just ordered the Garden of Life Raw Protein powder...the chocolate flavor. I hope we like it 🙂 I studied protein powder for months before I made my purchase. This one seems to be good.
Melissa says
Maca Up in Vanilla by Paradise Herbs is by far my favorite- it says 'vegetarian blend' but it is vegan. I like the texture of it in all kinds of recipes. For awhile, I just added water and stevia to it, threw some berries, bananas, and granola on top and called it breakfast=)
Sarah says
I LOVE Life Basics plant protein in Vanilla. Yummy, creamy and mixed with greens and fruit in a smoothie it will knock your socks off. Plus online you can find it for around $20. Looking forward to reading what you come up with! 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
Hmm never heard of this! Will google and see if they can send me a sample. Thanks!
Kathy Patalsky says
Yes I am VERY excited that Manitoba Harvest is sending me samples 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
I tried getting a sample from they but they said they do not send samples! Boo. I really only can include brands I can easily find in sample size or donations of samples - otherwise my budget for this feature would be kinda crazy. Wish they would give out samples!
Kathie says
That stinks! I would send some your way, but I why support an unsupportive company? I guess I'll find a new brand when I see your results!
Kathy Patalsky says
I contacted them! I think they are sending me a sample - I hope! Their packaging has always caught my eye.
Kathy Patalsky says
hmm I only have vanilla right now. Need to track down chocolate!
Kathy Patalsky says
both in my kitchen now! They will be included for sure 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
I still need to track down the Garden of life people, but I have some Amazing Grass samples in my samples drawer right now. And yes, everyone has different tastes! That is something I will have to point out in my review. That even if I love this brand, you may not and vice-versa. But hopefully I will be able to give some broad package info and compare the brands for a super handy guide so people can find what they are seeking in a supplement powder.
Kathy Patalsky says
Already have samples!!! I was dying to try it as I love K&K from ToneitUP. They are a super duo.
Kathy Patalsky says
Yes it is yummy, VegaOne will be included in my review. Although i have not tried VegaSport.
Kathy Patalsky says
thanks! emailed them. Hopefully they will send me some samples so I can include them.
Michelle says
My favorite vegan protein powder is Oriya Organics Superfood Protein Medley. It is organic and unsweetened (no stevia aftertaste). The ingredients include sprouted brown rice protein, hemp protein, sprouted chia seeds, spirulina and chlorella. It is the healthiest protein powder I've tried and it mixes well into smoothies!
Madonna Perez says
My favorite vegan protein powder is Vega One's Vanilla. I like how Vega One's vanilla powder is thick and almost tastes like a vanilla milk shake. Plus, it's not grainy and runny like Sun Warrior's. The shake tastes a bit sweet like vanilla ice cream, so it was hard to believe there was no sugar. It's amazing how you could create so many smoothie recipes with Vega One's vanilla protein powder. I like adding pureed strawberries and blueberries in my protein shake. I also, absolutely, positively, love creamy peanut buter with the shake. It's delicious!
Katie Lemanczyk says
Please add Perfect Fit Protein to your list! It's my favorite, but I would love to read your opinion of how it stacks up to other brands in taste, nutrition, and price per serving.
Amy P says
I like Amazing Grass Amazing Meal (original blend) and Garden of Life Raw Protein. I don't care for the stevia sweetened ones, but get all my sweetness from adding fresh and frozen fruit!
Sarah Gilstorf says
i love pb2, i use it in my smoothies almost daily 🙂
Jessica says
SunWarrior's Protein Blend in the vanilla flavor and Vega's Shake and Go in Natural... Delish!
Kathy Patalsky says
I have been wanting to try PB2! Still need to!
And yes rationing matcha is smart 🙂
Stella Schultz says
I have some PB2 on order. I'll get back to you after I try it out. I'm hoping for all the flavor without the fat.
Stella Schultz says
Got my BP2 today. I used it dry in an almond milk, vanilla protein powder and cacao powder smoothie. VERY tasty! I like using this over using real almond butter. I can see a lot of uses! My only comment about it is that I do not see that is Non-GMO. I think the peanuts and nonGMO issue were brought up by your readers on an earlier posting. I don't think it will keep me from using the PB2.
Stella Schultz says
Kathy,
I typically limit my nut butters (cuz sometimes I enjoy them too much). Have you ever tried the "PB2" in a smoothie? Does it work well enough into a smoothie? Are there any tricks or tips needed?
I love your matcha smoothies. I don't add it all the time, have to ration it due to price.
Stella Schultz says
I've tried the Vega powders, liked them but they are too pricey; would like to try Sun Warrior, but also too pricey; tried and don't like Manitoba Harvest hemp powder; my favorite so far is Plant Fusion's vanilla bean. It has been criticized for including 4g of fructose in it. I can get 2 pounds for $27 to $30, which fits into my budget. So I'm willing to overlook the fructose. Thanks to Ellen Panetto, I'm going to check out True Nutrition next time I need more. 🙂
Chelsie DiPaolo says
Sunwarrior classic chocolate - tastes and makes me feel the best.
Heather McClees says
Sunwarrior Warrior Blend- raw- vanilla - SO awesome
Katie B says
My absolute FAVORITE protein powder is "Plant Fusion (Vanilla)". It is packed with all of the good stuff, taste great and my tummy loves it (some of the other powders would give me bad stomach aches).
christine says
Garden of Life Raw Protein - natural flavor is my favorite. I hate all stevia-sweetened options. I also like Hemp Pro-50 for green smoothies especially.
ellen panetto says
I buy my protein powder online from True Nutrition. You can make your own custom blend of protein powders, and they offer a lot of vegan powders. I like 100% Gemma Pea protein, flavored with french vanilla. Sunwarrior is also great, but True Nutrition blends are so, so, so much cheaper.
Caroline Stahlschmidt says
My favorites are Sun Warrior (chocolate and vanilla) and Vega Vanilla Chai! Looking forward to your review!
Kathie says
The protein powder I use is GNC Pro Performance 100% Soy Isolate - Creamy Vanilla. I can't wait to get home and make the chocolate almond butter ripple smoothie!! Thank you so much for all you do!!
Karielyn says
Garden of Life Raw Protein - organic, raw, vegan, gluten-free, sprouted, live probiotics and enymes and is a complete protein.
Kim Ceriko says
I love just plain spirulina powder or Hemp Pro 50 by Manitoba Harvest 🙂
Tirzah Washington says
I'm a big fan of the JuicePlus+ Complete Protein. We go through a bag a week in my house. No chalky taste, and cost is just less than 2 bucks a serving.
Alexa Roquemore says
Sun Warrior: Warrior Blend Vanilla is the best!!! I used to like Vega but then Brendan Brazier went all I'm in it for the money and slashed the nutritients in half, added less servings, while at the same time upped the cost for Vegan one. Totally not cool.
Lauren says
I like SunWarrior Vanilla and Plant Fusion Vanilla Bean. Though, lately I've been using Nutiva's Hemp Protein Hi-Fiber that my old roommate left behind. I follow the directions on the container and blend it with a banana, almond milk, and I sometimes throw in some Amazing Grass wheatgrass powder.
Alexandra F says
Oh my god! The chocolate ripple looks to die for! Need to make this now. I love Vega chocolate protein powder. I used Sun Warrior for a while but it always tasted a little chalky to me.
Jessie says
vega sport chocolate and vanilla, and also sunwarrior (warrior blend) vanilla. so, so good.
Amanda Broughton says
Nuzest protein powder, I like the original flavour because I can add it to any smoothie. Chocolate flavour is great for just straight shakes when you're at the gym though.
Danielle Dewar says
my husband is the protein powder consumer in our house for sure -- he's a big fan of Vega's chocolate and vanilla chai flavor. I have been using Sun Warrior original chocolate flavor and really like it...but is it just me or does protein powder make you gassy? haaha, I seem to not be able to digest it...
Powered By Veggies says
Sun Warrior Classic Chocolate bar none!
Rachel @ Eat, Learn, Discover! says
ooh I have quite a few favorites! Most are of the brown rice variety: sun warrior (original, NOT warrior blend), growing naturals, perfect fit (from the ToneItUp girls). I also like Garden of life Raw protein, and LOVE vega sport, but it costs a pretty penny.
onthevedge says
I like Garden of Life Raw Brown Rice Protein in the Vanilla flavor - much cheaper than other brands but with the same stuff - probiotics, sprouted brown rice protein, raw sprout blend, tocopherols.
wizzythestick says
mmmmm this looks so good.
Lauren (@PoweredbyPB) says
Sunwarrior and Vega are my go to brands!
sigen92 says
My favourite protein powder is without a doubt Rainbow Light's chocolate flavoured one! So delicious and it doesn't have that gritty taste that so many other vegan powders have! It's my go-to brand, but I do love the Vega Berry powder, but it is too expensive for me to buy on a regular basis.