Healthy drinks to help you get through week 2 of your HSC exams

It's finally here. The HSC is all you can think about over the next few weeks. If you're like most people you'll be going through a whole range of emotions including stress. Feeling nervous  about what lies ahead and your stomach is doing some somersaults. Eating breakfast is the last thing you feel like doing.

However, if there was ever a day when you needed a great boost of energy, this was it. Skipping breakfast today would be doing a huge disservice to yourself and all the exam preparations you've already done.

Here are four quick smoothie recipes that will give you lasting energy and help with concentration and focus. Best of all, they're very easy to make. Just chuck the ingredients into a blender and hit the button.

Berry boost

½ cup blueberries

½ cup blackberries

½ cup cherries (seeds removed)

1 banana

1 cup almond milk

1 tablespoon flax oil

1 teaspoon honey

dash of cinnamon

Blend all the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. For some extra slow-release energy you can also include a tablespoon of raw rolled oats.

Green goddess

½ cucumber, peeled and sliced

1 celery stalk

1 handful of kale

1 green apple, peeled and sliced

1 pear, peeled and sliced

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Blend all the ingredients in order, ending with the lemon juice. Add water to desired thickness.

The iron maiden

2 large beetroots, peeled and sliced

2 carrots, sliced

1 small apple, peeled, cored and sliced

1 handful of spinach

½ cup water

Blend all the ingredients together, adding the water gradually until the juice reaches desired thickness. This is an iron-rich, replenishing tonic, especially great for women, but also good for the fellas.

Cold remedy

2 celery stalks

3 carrots

1 clove garlic, peeled

1 inch ginger, peeled and sliced

1 large handful of spinach

1 lemon, peeled and quartered

1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Blend all ingredients together then transfer to a saucepan. Heat it gently without boiling. Add hot sauce or cayenne to taste. Drink it slowly but finish it while it's still hot. Don't let any of those lingering winter flus and bugs get you down at exam time.