This combo is an old standby, and it combines my favorite smoothie berries: strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. The chia seeds and almonds make it a bit creamy. I like to include the orange because it’s juicy and cheap. And the baby spinach adds a very mild-tasting green, for the leafy green goodness. You can easily substitute in other mild ingredients (such as apples or carrots). The berries are the major contributor to flavor.
2 tbsp chia seeds
handful of raw almonds (~20)
6 oz water
1 orange
handful of frozen raspberries
4 frozen strawberries
handful of frozen blueberries
handful of baby spinach
4 ice cubes
Toss ’em in, blend ’em up. It’s super convenient to use frozen berries because they’re always ready to use. You can get a premixed berry mixture, but I prefer to buy them separately so that I can get more variety in flavor by changing the ratios or leaving out one kind of berry entirely. I used peeled raw soaked almonds, though you can safely use unsoaked raw almonds.
Update: Other things to add to this include red cabbage, cinnamon, or other nuts, like walnuts.
Your model review is changing me! I ordered my first Vitamix based on your post – for that, I am grateful. Coming late to the blending party, I’m a novice who would like to incorporate flax seed into my diet. Other than substituting flax for chia, any recommendations of flax seed recipes? Thanks from a newbie!
You can add a tablespoon of flax seeds to most smoothies…. 2 Tbsp if you’re feeling adventurous.
Which vitamix do you have?
When I posted this recipe in 2012, I was using a Vitamix 5000, which is almost identical to the current 5200.
Since then, I decided I wanted to become an expert on the differences between Vitamix models, so I now have almost all of them.
Currently I am using the top-of-the line A3500 the most, to put it through its paces.
Are you trying to decide which one to get? Have you seen my comparison page?
I love my vitamix and use it almost every day. However, I get so much foam when I make a smoothie that I end up throwing so much away.
What can I do to?
Or what am I doing wrong
Try this trick. Also, a higher ratio of frozen ingredients can make it generate less foam.