Peach Smoothie

P.S: I love to share my favorite smoothie recipes with you guys because they are so easy, yummy, nutritious, and a great way to sneak fruit and veggie servings into your diet. Try these fantastic smoothies this summer and you are sure to love them all:

• Spinach Avocado Smoothie
• Strawberry Smoothie
• Pineapple Mango Smoothie
• Mango Smoothie and Superfood Blueberry Smoothie.

• Greek Yogurt - I love how thick, creamy and protein-rich greek yogurt is. Feel free to swap in a non-dairy version if you prefer, or use another thick yogurt product like labneh or skyr. If you use dairy, you can use skim, low-fat or whole milk yogurt per your liking.
• Peaches - I opted to use fresh sliced peaches for this smoothie recipe, as they are being sold in abundance at the moment. Don't feel like you have to peel them, either! If peaches aren't in season, or if you prefer a thicker smoothie, you can easily swap in frozen peach slices instead.
• Frozen Mango - I chose to use frozen mango cubes for this smoothie for two reasons. First, I love the texture that this frozen fruit has when blended! Frozen mango becomes creamy all on its own when blended, giving this peach smoothie a lovely consistency. Second, convenience! There's no need to peel or chop a mango if you're using frozen.
• Milk - I used dairy milk for this smoothie. Feel free to use anything from skim to whole milk here. You can also easily opt to use your favorite dairy free milk; just note that the nutritional facts will change depending on what type you choose.
• Vanilla Extract - This is an optional ingredient, but I love the depth of flavor it gives to this frozen beverage. The added depth of flavor is worth it, if you have vanilla on hand.
• Cinnamon - Cinnamon is a friend of peaches. Using cinnamon in this smoothie recipe gives the flavor an air reminiscent of a peach pie or peach crumble. It also happens to have a whole host of nutritional benefits, so just go ahead and add it, okay?
• Maple Syrup - Adding just a tablespoon of this liquid sweetener does enough to bring the flavor of this smoothie into dessert territory. You can opt to omit it if you prefer, or swap in honey or agave syrup instead.

TIP: you can freeze peach slices and use "frozen peaches" in this smoothie recipe. "Frozen fruit" gives a nice and thick smoothie especially if you are willing to turn it into a smoothie bowl. Also, freezing in bulk helps you enjoy this smoothie when they are not in season.

How to make My Peach Smoothie

Smoothies are one of my favorite ways to sneak in some nutrition very quickly. Once you see how easy this peach smoothie recipe is, you'll know why!

Combine all the ingredients on a high powered blender in the order they are listed. If you are using frozen peaches instead of fresh, you may need to adjust the amount of liquid added to help the blender process the fruit.

NOTE: In my many years of smoothie making, I have learned that adding the liquid ingredients to the blender first helps the blades pull the frozen fruit pieces in.

Blend everything well until smooth and uniform. Taste and adjust to your liking - add a bit extra sweetener for more of a peach shake vibe; add more frozen fruit to thicken it up (or turn it into a smoothie bowl!); add more liquid to loosen it.

Pour in serving glasses and enjoy!

Variations and Add-ins

While my Mango Peach Smoothie recipe is pretty perfect as is, you should feel free to customize it to your heart's content. Here are a few ways to make it your own:

• Add (or substitute) different fruits: Try using your favorite berry, frozen avocado, pineapple, or banana in addition to the mango and peach, or swap the mango out for whatever frozen fruit you have on hand. You can also try pear, kiwi, or apple!
• Healthy add-ins: Amp up the nutrition by adding a tablespoon of your favorite protein powder or supplement. You can also easily sneak in some veggies by adding a handful of spinach to the mix. You can also bulk up this smoothie by adding in whole grains, nuts, or seeds. Try oatmeal, chia, hemp hearts, or flaxseed.
• Liquid swaps: Don't have milk on hand? Try using kefir for an added dose of probiotics and a touch more tang. You can also use fruit juice in place of milk; try mango juice, orange juice, or peach nectar.
• Flavor boosters: Add a splash of lemon or lime juice for more acidity; add fresh grated or ground dried ginger to make it spicier; swap in coconut milk for a more tropical vibe.

However you make your mango peach smoothie, it's bound to be delicious!