Best Winter Smoothies To Warm You Up And Slim You Down! -

Oats and Chocolate Hot Smoothie

It only takes six simple ingredients to whip up this outrageous oats and chocolate smoothie from Kitchen Sanctuary. Safety tip: Don’t fill your blender or smoothie maker with boiling liquid! The steam creates pressure that can cause the lid to blast off, literally. Add the hot ingredients at the end.

INGREDIENTS

15g/0.5oz dark chocolate, chopped (check the brand for gluten free if required)
200ml/6.75floz almond milk
20g/0.7oz rolled oats (check the brand for gluten free if required)
½ a ripe, medium sized banana
6 almonds
5g/0.2oz chia seeds
20ml/0.7floz cold water

INSTRUCTIONS

Add the dark chocolate to a jug and pour in the almond milk. Microwave until the mixture is warm and the chocolate has melted (you can do this in a pan if you prefer).
Add the oats, banana, almonds, chia seeds, the water and approx. a fifth of the almond milk to your smoothie maker or blender. Add in an extra splash of cold water if you think the liquid is too warm (see warning above about hot liquids and smoothie makers).
Blend on high for a minute until the oats and chia seeds have been completely incorporated.
Whilst it’s blending, further heat the rest of the almond/chocolate mix until hot, but not boiling.
Pour the blended oat mix into your cup, stir in the almond/chocolate mix and serve.

Warm Apple Pie Smoothie

This warm smoothie from The Iron You has all the taste of an old-fashioned, homemade apple pie—minus the hassle of baking. Plus, at 124 calories and 0 grams of fat per serving, you can slurp with a clear conscience.

Ingredients
Serves 1

1 apple, cored and cut into chunks (peeled if you don’t have a high-powered blender)
½ cup / 120 ml water (for a creamier smoothie you can use yogurt)
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon maple syrup (or raw organic honey)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
A pinch of nutmeg
A pinch of allspice

1 scoop protein powder (optional)

Directions

Combine apple, water, vanilla, maple syrup and spices in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a mug and microwave on high for about 2 minutes.
Sprinkle with cinnamon (I have actual “apple pie” seasoning, and if you’re feeling particularly daring, add a bit of whipped cream on top. Serve!

Warm Ginger Pear Smoothie

This soothing ginger pear smoothie from Lynsey Loves Food is the perfect fix to an upset (or just plain hungry) stomach.

Ingredients

2 pears, chopped
1 thumb sized piece of ginger, peeled
3 Tbsp hemp seeds
1-2 Tbsp maple syrup
2 Tbsp almond butter
1 ½ cup unsweetened almond milk

Instructions

Place all ingredients into a blender.
If you have a high powered blender, like a Vitamix, blend on high for 3-4 minutes until mixture is hot.
If you have a regular blender, blend on high until mixture is smoothie. Transfer to a small pot and heat gently over medium-low heat until smoothie reaches desired temperature.

Wintry Warm Banana Nut Smoothie

The tryptophan and vitamin B6 in bananas helps to boost your body’s production of serotonin, which can improve your mood and increase feelings of satisfaction and relaxation.

Ingredients