I stumbled upon something AMAZING! This Cherry Clementine Protein Smoothie tastes like a cherry version of an Orange Julius, but with healthy, keep you full, protein and nutrient rich ingredients!

Cherry Clementine Protein Smoothie

Are you a smoothie maker? I love smoothies, especially as a busy mom — I enjoy making breakfast for my family, but I typically drink something as I’m bustling around the kitchen. They don’t really get “cold” or “warm” up too much and you can load so many powerful, good-for-you nutrients into a smoothie!

Honestly if you like cherries and oranges OR Orange Julius’ you NEED to make this smoothie recipe! It tastes just like one only with better, more nutritious ingredients.

Don’t you love it when a new recipe is born out of necessity? I wanted a protein shake this morning and realized I had used the last of my coconut milk in my Butter Chicken recipe the other day. Ah, but I did have some organic plain yogurt. 

Below are the ingredients I used in this DELICIOUS smoothie!

Into my Ninja Smoothie Blender (use it everyday, love this blender) went the creamy, plain probiotic filled yogurt,feel free to use a non-dairy option as well (almond or coconut yogurt works great too.

Then I tossed in a handful of organic frozen cherries (high in antioxidants) and a few ice cubes, which are optional.

Additionally, I wanted my usual “morning good stuff” in the smoothie. In went a glug of Brain Octane Oil*

*WARNING! A “glug” for me is a little over a tablespoon, but if you have never used it before, start with 1 teaspoon! It’ll mess with your intestines, so go slowly and build up, but please do it, it’s so, so, very good for you!

Read more about the benefits of MCT or Brain Octane Oil, I go into greater detail on my post Bulletproof Coffee.

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Plus I added a scoop of collagen which not only adds nutrients, and protein, but carries many benefits. I also tossed in a scoop of protein powder, as well as a packet of Stevia, which is optional!

Benefits of Collagen

1. Known to ease joint pain
2. May reverse skin aging
3. Can help burn fat, build muscle
4. May reduce cellulite (I should drink it by the gallon)
5. Improve digestive health

Finally, I added clementine juice, which I buy at Trader Joe’s (so amazing by the way) but you could simply use orange juice or just as easily toss in one or two Clementine’s that have been peeled and sectioned; you might need to add a little water if the mixture is too thick.

Optional Nutrient Rich Add-Ins

• 1 tablespoon Chia Seeds
• 1-2 tablespoons Hemp Hearts
• 1 tablespoon Flax Seeds or Flax Meal
  
• Large handful of fresh baby spinach or baby kale
• ½- 1 teaspoon Matcha powder
• 1 tablespoon Almond Butter Powder

Whir it all up in your nifty blender for about 30 seconds, until smooth and thick.

CHERRY CLEMENTINE PROTEIN SMOOTHIE

Keep in your blender cup if you have or, or pour into your favorite glass, garnish with a sprig of mint (totally optional, but engages all your senses when drinking); I like drinking my smoothies through a wide straw.

Sit back, sipping on your creamy Cherry Clementine Protein Smoothie and dream of walking in a cherry and clementine orchard with trees laden with ripe fruit, a beautiful bluebird sky, with cotton candy clouds drifting by, a girl can dream right!?

CAN I CHANGE THE INGREDIENTS CHERRY CLEMENTINE PROTEIN SMOOTHIE?

Absolutely!! I encourage my readers (that’s you!) to do just that, my taste is not your taste! Below are some ideas on flavor combinations.

• Tropical Smoothie | Replace cherries with peaches, mango, pineapple and strawberries, keep the Clementine juice or replace with Pineapple or Mango juice.
• Try adding a healthy handful of fresh baby spinach, you’ll never taste it, it won’t be as pretty, but it’ll be so good for you! I do this more in the winter for some reason.
• Add 2-4 leaves of fresh mint or spearmint, WOW!
• Chunky Monkey Smoothie | You guessed it, omit cherries/clementines; adding 1-2 heaping tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 frozen banana, handful of spinach, Stevia and a rounded tablespoon of peanut butter or almond butter. 

• Berrylicious Smoothie | Not unlike the Cherry Clementine, change the cherries out for any frozen berries you like or a mixture thereof. Just add water or keep the Clementine or Orange Juice.
• Blackberry Lime Smoothie | Such an amazing flavor combination! Swap frozen blackberries for cherries and in place of clementine juice add the juice of ½ a lime (about 1-2 tablespoons), you’ll probably want the Stevia in this one and if you are a bit daring, add ¼ – ½ of a creamy avocado!

While you are at it, try these other delicious drinks:

• Bulletproof Coffee aka Keto Coffee
• Copycat Chick-Fil-A Frosted Lemonade
• Homemade Chai Tea Latte
• Homemade Vegetable Mineral Broth