I feel fairly confident that I’ve mastered the art of my winter morning smoothie. Fresh, ripe, sweet fruit isn’t always easy to come by in the winter. Or it is unforgivably expensive.

So in the cold season, the trick to an amazing smoothie is to use ALL frozen ingredients.

I’d share my recipe, happily, if I actually had one.  The smoothie has always been something I’ve eyeballed.  But there are five main ingredients: ice (the littlest bit), Fage 2% Greek Yogurt, Unsweetened Almond Milk (40 calories, yay!), frozen blueberries and frozen bananas.

The frozen banana is the key element in my opinion.  I’ve tried the smoothie with out it and it just isn’t the same.  I kind of happened upon this on accident (although I later found out a ton of people already did this). Not one for waste, when any banana in my house would go rotten, I’d peel it, wrap in plastic, and toss it in the fridge. The frozen banana makes the smoothie thick and adds a punch of sweetness.

Trader Joe’s has a great frozen bag of mixed berries. The strawberry pieces are sometimes unkind to the blender, so if need be, let them thaw a little, just enough to cut them in halves or quarters, and toss them in with the rest.

Rolled oats and flax seeds also make for a great addition.  The oats give the smoothie a thickness, and while flax seeds don’t realty change the texture too much, they are great for you and provide a tasty nuttiness.

If you like it a little sweeter, dribble in a little honey or agave.

I toss in all in my Magic Bullet (yes they work, and are easy to clean, and are seriously a morning God-send), blend, and drink on-the-go.

-Arianna Schioldager