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Smoothies have long been a part of my day. If I don’t blend one up for breakfast, I’m usually whipping one up to fight that 3PM slump. The smoothies I make typically need to be quick and easy.  Here are six things I’ve been doing lately to make my smoothie game strong. 1. One Glass Don’t dirty five cups to make one smoothie. Lately I’ve been drinking my smoothie right out of the glass I use to measure ingredients. Mason jars make great measuring cups, allowing you to precisely measure out liquids thanks to the measurement lines marked on the side. Or, use your blender for everything! Most blenders have cup measurements on the side and I find “handfuls” are pretty good measurements when trying to eyeball 1/2 cup berries or 1 cup baby spinach. Take it one step further by throwing a straw into the blender container and drinking straight from the source! 2. Waste Not Have some leftover coffee in the pot, two spoonfuls of pumpkin left in the can, or just three sips of almond milk left in the container? Pour or place leftover ingredients into ice cube trays or muffin tins. When you’ve got a hankering for a mocha smoothie (or whatever flavor is calling your name), grab your frozen cubes, add the rest of your ingredients and you’re good to go! 3. Make Smoothie Pops Do you ever have that annoying ½ cup smoothie left in the bottom of the blender that doesn’t fit into your to-go mug? You could take a big gulp before rushing out the door, BUT alternatively why not pour leftovers into ice pop molds? You’ll have a cool, sweet treat waiting for you (or your kids) for another time of day. 4. Make Smoothie Packs Carve out a few extra minutes of meal prep on Sundays to prepare some smoothie packs for the week. Measure out fruit and Vega® plant-based protein powder and place into single bags (or even the Mason jar you plan to drink the smoothie from!). In the morning, toss into the blender with your favorite liquid and Vega protein powder and blend. 5. Freeze Smoothie Ice Cubes If you love thick creamy smoothies, try shaking a scoop of Vega powder with non-dairy milk and pouring into ice cube molds. For an evening when you’re craving a thick chocolate shake (or any time of day) place cubes in a blender with frozen banana and some more non-dairy milk and blend until creamy. 6. Save Overripe Foods If you’re preparing to leave for a trip, or maybe you’ve just returned, or you just went overboard on your last grocery trip, don’t throw away fruits and vegetables that you just can’t finish before they wilt away. You can freeze everything from brown bananas, to wilting greens, to very soft avocados. Even steamed cauliflower! Stash all in freezer friendly containers to add to smoothies. PS. Avocados and steamed cauliflower take smoothie creaminess to the next level – trust me! On days that I feel just so busy even taking minutes to blend a smoothie—even with these hacks—feels impossible, I reach for Vega® Protein+ Shake* as I run out the door. What are some of your go-to tips and tricks for blending up the perfect smoothie every time? Reference: https://myvega.com/blog/smoothie-hacks/