Three Smoothie Recipes That Give a Burst of Energy & Nutrients

Are you a nurse nearing the end of your MSN online program and are readying yourself for your future career in nursing? There is plenty to look forward to, especially after all the hard work you’ve put into your RN to MSN degree. At the same time, it’s no secret that nursing is hard and grueling work that can be taxing on you both mentally and physically.

With that in mind, here is a look at three smoothie recipes that can help to give you the burst of energy and nutrients you need to sail through your shift. These can work at the beginning of your shift or even halfway through to help get you to the end.

Almond Flaxseed Sweet Cherry Smoothie

If you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth and love nutty flavors, then this smoothie is perfect for you. This cold smoothie really packs a punch where energy is concerned and it’s also helpful in reducing muscle aches and pains – which is the norm for nurses. The antioxidants in this smoothie will help to keep you healthy at the same time.

This recipe makes two servings, which means you can drink one right away and then pour the second serving into a to-go mug for later.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 cups frozen pitted cherries
• 1/2 cup ground almonds
• 1/2 tsp pure almond extract
• 2 tbsp flaxseed

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until it is smooth.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie

You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy peanut butter and jelly thanks to this tasty and very satisfying smoothie. This particular recipe contains peanut butter and chia seeds, which provide you with six grams of protein and nine grams of fiber. This means you’ll feel full and energized for hours, which is exactly what you need to get through a shift. As an added bonus, you can make this one ahead of time and store it in a freezer bag in the freezer.

Ingredients:

• 2 large bananas, halved and peeled
• 4 cups frozen mixed berries
• 4 tbsp unsalted natural creamy peanut butter
• 8 pitted dates
• 9 tbsp white or black chia seeds
• 4 cups unsweetened plain almond milk
• 4 cups baby spinach

Place all the contents in a blender and blend until smooth. Divide the contents into four separate freezer bags; each bag should have one cup worth of the mixture. Store in the freezer until you’re ready to have one. To serve, empty frozen contents in a blender with 1/4 water and 1/cup of almond milk, and blend.

The Classic Green Smoothie

There isn’t much that needs to be said about the classic green smoothie, as it is the absolute hero in terms of smoothies that pack a punch of energy and nutrients. There are plenty of variations, but here’s the classic recipe you can start with.

Ingredients

• 1 cup non-dairy milk
• 1 large frozen banana
• 1 cup kale or baby spinach leaves
• 1 tbsp peanut butter or almond butter
• 1 scoop of protein powder (any flavor or type)
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed or chia seeds
• Pinch of ground cinnamon
• 2 to 3 ice cubes

Place everything into the blender and blend until smooth.