Smoothies are a simple, delicious way for athletes to get the nutrients they need.

For years, smoothies were my breakfast of choice, so I was intrigued when I received a copy of the new book, Sport Smoothies from Velopress. Written by Fern Green, the book features more than 65 recipes, organized by pre-workout, post-workout/recovery, muscle building and carb loading.

Admittedly, I've followed the strategy of tossing whatever ripe fruit was available in the house, some yogurt, some spinach or kale and milk or orange juice and maybe some protein powder and call it good. Turns out, there's a lot more variety to making smoothies! 

Sport Smoothies shows this variety of smoothie ingredients through beautiful images of the various fruits, vegetables and nuts you can use to make tasty, energy-boosting smoothies. 

Below, check out this blue cashew smoothie recipe (made for muscle building). Try it, enjoy and find the book for $16 in bookstores and Velopress.com.

Blue Cashew

Serves: 1

Preparation: 5 minutes

YOU NEED

• 1 cup cashew milk

• 1/4 cup rolled oats

• 1 cup blueberries

• 1 scoop protein powder

• 1 tablespoon natural cashew nut butter

Blueberries may help with blood sugar regulation.

P = Protein boosting

D = Aids digestion

B = Bone strengthening

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Sport Smoothies

More Than 65 Recipes to Boost Your Workouts & Recovery

Fern Green

Sport Smoothies offers more than 65 beautifully illustrated smoothie recipes for athletes to use before and after workouts, to build muscle, or to carbo-load.