Is your morning smoothie helping you all year long or do you need to switch it up? I love having a routine to keep my morning on track. But I find that when the seasons shift I am no longer as keen to make my smoothie in the morning which then throws me off track. OR I find I’m eating something that I know just doesn’t feel right.

Tropical green smoothies just don’t taste right in the midst of a winter snowstorm and the heavy rich fall smoothies are a bit too much to take as well. Cold Winter days call for thier own special winter smoothies blend.

Your blend might be different depending on what dosha you are.

• Vatas need warmth in the winter so heating spices (cinnamon, cloves, ginger) are key.
• Kaphas get congested in the damp winter cold so citrus, cayenne, cloves work best.
• Pittas already run hot – so the milder pear tastes balance off the winter spices.

There are many benefits to eating fruits and vegetables that are in season. Eating in season is not only cheaper and tastier but it supports our body’s natural nutritional needs. In winter we need more foods with Vitamin C which help stave off colds and flu, while in summer enjoying stone fruits provide us with extra beta-carotenes and other carotenoids that help protect us against sun damage and also provide more sweetness for an energetic summer. This is why altering your smoothie recipes with the season is beneficial.

Try these Favourite Winter Smoothie Recipes

Vitamin C Booster

• 2 Oranges
• 1 Grapefruit
• 1 Lime (or 2 Key Limes)
• 1/2 cup Cranberries
• 1 Tbsp Honey
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 3/4 cup pomegranate juice OR coconut immunity water

Put all ingredients into blender and mix until smooth.

*Makes 3 cups

Citrus fruits besides being high in Vitamin C also help to detoxify and cleanse the liver, and boost the adrenal system and improve mental clarity.

Cranberries are high in phytonutrients which help to reduce inflammation, protect against unwanted bacteria especially in the urinary tract. Using whole cranberries instead of extracted juice is preferred.

1 Tbsp of Honey per day is recommended in Ayurveda to help boost the immune system. Raw, unpasteurized honey is best.

This is a great smoothie for Kaphas as it helps to reduce congestion. Use Pepper instead of Cayenne if you are Pitta.

Winter Pears and Spices

• 3 ripe pears
• 2 Tbsp each of flax seeds, hemp seeds and coconut flakes
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger or 1/2″ raw ginger
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (or 1 drop Cinnamon Essential Oil)
• 1/2 tsp cloves
• 2 – 3 medjool dates
• 1 1/2 cups almond milk OR coconut water

Put all ingredients into a blender and mix until smooth.

* Makes 3 cups

Warming spices like ginger, cinnamon and cloves help to boost the heat in the body on cold days plus they boost our digestive heat making this one great for vatas. I also like to add one drop of On Guard Essential Oil just before enjoying this one for an extra immune booster.

Pears are a cooling fruit so pittas benefit from this one as well.

I find the spices get sharp on this one if it sits too long so reduce the spices if you are making it the night before.

Winter Mango Smoothie

• 1 cup mango, defrost overnight
• 2 handfuls of kale, OR 2 large leaves
• 1 key-lime, peeled (or 1 drop Lime Essential Oil)
• 2 Tbsp coconut flakes
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 tsp cardamon (or 1 drop Cardamon Essential Oil)

Put all ingredients into blender and mix until smooth.

*Makes 2 cups

Mango season varies depending on where they are grown. Haitian mangos, which are one of the most flavourful but not the prettiest, start coming into season in January. Frozen mangos are also plentiful and give us a tropical treat this time of year. The mango is one of the only fruits that is warming in nature so when you are craving fruit this is the one for winter and spring.

Cardamom is another warming spice that is a decongestant and helps to soothe digestion. I like to add a drop of the essential oil to my smoothie batch for a more intense flavour.

Love Your Winter Smoothie!

This winter switch up your smoothie and be mindful about what you eat and why.

Winter smoothies can offer lots of benefits to our health during the colder season, as well as benefits to enjoying foods locally and in season. Depending on your Dosha will depend on the ones that will serve you best, but they are all yummy none the less!

Want to know more about your Dosha mix and how to align your food with the seasons? Join the Daily Essentials Community to get your body back in sync.

Which winter smoothies recipe is your favourite? Do you have one of your own? Share here so we can all enjoy the delectable mixes and find ones we like the best.