How to Make an Ayurveda-Approved Smoothie

There is currently an abundance of recipes circulating the internet on how to make any kind of smoothie imaginable. From green detox smoothies to post work out smoothies, there seems to be a smoothie for everything. While many of these smoothies are full of nutrients, few are ayurveda-approved. For starters, many of these smoothies are made with ice or frozen fruit, a practice that is ill-advised in ayurveda, much like drinking ice water. This is because the intense cold of these icy smoothies may actually dampen your agni, or digestive fire. This can lead to an increase in aama or toxicity in the body.

To make your smoothie ayurveda approved, avoid using frozen fruits and veggies. In addition, using greens in a smoothie has a cooling effect on the body. This is great for hot weather or for those of us whose dosha constitution needs cooling, but it's not draftl for those whose digestive fire is already weak. If you do choose to add greens to your smoothie, be sure to choose fresh organic produce whenever possible. To make your smoothie more digestible, try making it slightly more liquid than you normally would. This will lighten the consistency, making it easier for your stomach to digest and absorb the nutrients. Also, adding warming spices such as turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, saffron or ginger can help digestion along and stoke your inner fire. Below are 3 recipes for creating your own ayurveda-approved, post-yoga restorative smoothies. (Learn The 3 Doshas of Ayurveda.)

Golden Goddess Smoothie

If you suffer from any kind of inflammation, try the golden goddess smoothie. This smoothie is full of powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents found in turmeric and cinnamon. One of its ingredients is the powerful banana, a fruit that is rich in potassium, a macro mineral that helps regulate heart pressure. It also includes bee pollen, which is an incredible super food; it is high in anti-oxidants and also has anti-inflammatory agents. Eating bee pollen can also help cut down on seasonal allergies, however, to be effective, it is best to find a local supply whenever possible. (Learn more in Why Yogis Love Turmeric.)

• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk, homemade is best
• 1 banana, peeled
• 1 fresh mango, peeled, pitted and cut into cubes
• 2 fresh pitted medjool dates
• 1 teaspoon local bee pollen
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 3 threads of saffron

Put your ingredients into a blender, adding the almond milk last to just cover all the ingredients. Blend until you have a golden, creamy and delicious smoothie. Garnish with saffron for an added boost of Vitamin A.

Sattvic Protein Smoothie

This all-vegan sattvic smoothie will satisfy even the biggest protein craving. It contains coconut water, which, in turn, contains magnesium, a mineral required by the body to prevent muscular cramping and helps to speed recovery. Chia, sesame, and hemp seeds, are all naturally high in protein, calcium, magnesium and fiber and can also be found in this recipe. The chia seeds will swell when they come in contact liquids and will give your smoothie a satisfying full-bodied texture. (Read how A Plant-Based Diet Makes Better Yogis.)

• 2 cups coconut water
• 1 banana, peeled
• 1 cup fresh organic mixed berries
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons raw hulled hemp seeds
• 1 tablespoon raw sesame seeds
• 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup, or to taste

Place your banana, mixed berries, maple syrup and coconut water into the blender first, adding the seeds last. Then blend on high until everything is smooth and creamy. If you like, you can wait a few minutes before drinking this smoothie as the chia seeds will continue to absorb liquid, creating an even thicker drink.

Green Fats Smoothie

Healthy fats are an important part of good nutrition. The right kinds of fat can give us sustained energy, and in some cases, help with weight loss. This green fats smoothie is 100% vegetarian and packs a punch in the healthy fats department. Avocado is full of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid believed to reduce inflammation, and in certain cases, help fight cancer. Avocado also helps boost absorption of nutrients from other foods. It also contains 20 additional vitamins and minerals essential for a healthy diet. Extra virgin coconut oil, an especially MCT oil, is chock full of medium chain triglycerides. These essential fatty acids help balance hormone levels, improve digestion, increase energy and improve your mood. Finally, spirulina is rich in calcium, B vitamins and iron – all important post-yoga recovery nutrients, especially if you have a vinyasa practice. Understanding how to east for your dosha type is essential prior to committing to recipes for dishes and smoothies. So, before you begin, read our feature "How to Eat For Your Dosha Type."

• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk, or 1 cup organic full-fat yogurt mixed with 1 cup filtered water
• 1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
• 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
• 1 tablespoon MCT oil or extra virgin coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon spirulina powder
• A pinch of pink Himalayan salt

Put everything into a blender and pulse on high in until you have a rich and buttery smoothie full of natural medium chain fatty acids. Do not over blend this recipe. Enjoy!