Smoothie FAQ

Yes to all the above. These situations will require you to modify the smoothie formula. Here’s how:

1. Add ½ a serving more of protein powder (eg., ½ a scoop for PurePaleo Protein) – this will increase calories by 35-50.

2. Add more healthy fat – instead of just ½ an avocado, add a full avocado OR add one extra tablespoon of coconut oil. You can also combine the two (1/2 avocado + 1 tbsp. coconut oil) – this will increase calories by 120.

Try blending water and greens first for 30 + seconds (or until greens are completely pulverized). You can then add the remaining ingredients and continue to blend for another 30 + seconds.

If this doesn’t solve the problem, it may be time for a new blender. High-powered blenders (600+ watts) are key in creating smooth, chunk-free smoothies. You can check out my guide to blenders, here.

A few options here (try one or more):

1. Add 1/4 cup extra fruit or use fruits higher in sugar like bananas, mangoes, and pineapple.
2. Use PurePaleo Protein powder (1-1.5 scoop/s, chocolate or vanilla) – naturally sweetened with stevia.
3. Add a pinch of stevia (a plant-based natural sweetener that doesn’t spike blood sugar levels) – I recommend Better Stevia by NOW.

A couple options here (try one or more):

1. Use frozen greens instead of fresh greens. Greens like kale and broccoli can create a bitter tasting smoothie due to high sulfur content in these vegetables. You can also try using spinach since it’s more mild than other greens. 
2. Use PurePaleo Protein powder (if you’re not already) since it does a great job of balancing out the bitterness of greens.

A few options here (try one or more):

1. Use unflavoured protein powder.
2. If you want to use chocolate or vanilla PurePaleo Protein because you enjoy the flavours, then cut the serving in half + add 1 full scoop of collagen powder or unflavoured protein powder (ex., 1/2 scoop PurePaleo Protein + 1 scoop collagen powder or unflavoured protein)
3. Use less fruit or don’t use any fruit at all.
4. Use fruits that are lower in sugar like berries and avoid high-sugar fruits like bananas, mangoes and pineapple.

Two options here:

1. Use less water (you may have to shake or mix ingredients around a couple of times during blending. Be sure to stop the blender first before doing so).
2. Add avocado since it will naturally thicken your smoothie.

Two options here:

1. Use more water (add a little bit at a time to avoid a super runny smoothie).
2. Use coconut oil instead of avocado (or do a combo of the two – ex., 1/2 tbsp. coconut oil + 1/4 avocado)

The recipes provided are there to get your creative juices flowing and help those who prefer to follow recipes. I have also provided you with a build-your-own-smoothie formula that allows you to create recipes that tickle your taste buds. It’s rather simple actually, if you don’t like the taste of one thing then you can replace it with another OR if you’re allergic or sensitive to certain foods then just swap it for another food that works for you. The possibilities are endless with this challenge, so have fun and get creative!

Store any leftover smoothie in a sealed cup or mason jar in a refrigerator. I suggest consuming it within the day.

See Q2 above.

Check out this article I wrote about how to tweak your smoothie if you’re experiencing gut issues.

Also, here are some simple ways support digestion – try to implement as many tips as you can.

Peanuts aren’t actually nuts despite what the name will have you believe. They fall into the legume category instead. Many people have an allergy or intolerance/sensitivity to peanuts because they are quite hard to digest (due to high lectin content) and most peanuts test high for mold as well. That being said everyone’s body is different so some people may be reactive to peanuts while others may be OK with them.

Here’s my recommendation – if you are noticing abnormal signs/symptoms after eating peanuts (or peanut butter) best to avoid them. If you aren’t noticing any reactions then you may be OK having them in your diet, but I would recommend keeping your consumption on the low end (1-2x/week). In addition, source out an organic brand of peanut butter since mold content in these brands may be lower.

A safer alternative to peanut butter would be nut butters like almond, hazelnut, cashew or macadamia – these nut butters taste equally delicious and are less likely to cause a reaction.

Important note: If you have an allergy or intolerance/sensitivity to peanuts or any nut – DO NOT use them or any nut butters in your smoothies. 

Yes! These smoothies are loaded with nothing but whole food ingredients including minimally processed protein powders with clean & quality ingredients. This alone makes these smoothies safe for almost everyone – including young kids.

Many of my personal clients and friends blend smoothies for their kids/teens using my smoothie formula and recommended protein powders – and their kids/teens love them!

Best part is, you can actually get your kids/teens to eat vegetables without them even noticing because the smoothies mask the taste so well.

PurePaleo Protein is still my top pick for protein powders even for those not following a paleo diet. Check out this article which explains why I use and recommend this protein powder.

PurePea Protein is a good option for those following a vegan diet. Although I’m not a huge fan of plant-based protein powders (since it’s hard for our bodies to extract protein from plant-based sources and gut irritation may occur), PurePea is processed in a way that allows for easier extraction and absorption of protein. Which is why I have chosen it as a vegan option.

My honest opinion on whey is this … I do not think it is the best source of protein for weight loss and it’s definitely not the best option for someone who is dealing with IBS/gut issues, skin problems or an autoimmune condition. If you are in good standing health (and your gut is healthy) then this could be a good option for you. That being said, you will get better results in terms of weight loss with PurePaleo Protein vs a protein powder that is whey based.

If you’ve spent any time listening to the news or reading “health” articles, you probably know that red meat has been increasingly blamed for everything from heart disease to cancer. What if I told you that these claims are ill founded and misleading – and in fact, an unbiased review of the evidence indicates that red meat is one of the healthiest foods you can eat.

Here are some great articles that Chris Kresser, a Functional Medical Doctor, has put together – you’ll soon find out he is a stickler for good science (which is why I love him and follow his work).

Take some time to read through a few of these articles – they provide some great insight into why grass fed beef is actually an extremely healthy and nutrient-dense food.

https://chriskresser.com/red-meat-is-still-not-bad-for-you-but-shoddy-research-and-clueless-media-are/

https://chriskresser.com/why-grass-fed-trumps-grain-fed/

https://chriskresser.com/does-red-meat-cause-inflammation/

https://chriskresser.com/red-meat-cancer-again-will-it-ever-stop/

https://chriskresser.com/the-truth-about-red-meat/