| PROTEINSHAKE | Post-workout smoothie, or a hint to what can be found in each theme entry's circled letters |
| SPICEGIRLS | One of their names can be found in each theme entry clue |
| GOJI | Name, evocative of a gee up to a horse, of the "superfood" wolfberry for salad, smoothie or sweet sauce (4) |
| NFL | Gridiron initials found in each THEME answer |
| CHIASEEDS | Smoothie or pudding ingredient (4,5) |
| INITIALS | Two letters that provide an alternate answer for each theme entry's clue |
| FUNNY | Word that can precede each theme entry's first word |
| ALITTLEBITFISHY | Somewhat suspect (and a hint to what can be found by connecting the circled letters in alphabetical |
| FORTYNINERS | Old rush participants ... or a three-part hint to what can be found in this puzzle's grid or clues |
| DEUCESWILD | Card game declaration, and a hint to what can be found in the four other longest answers |
| OCHRISTMASTREE | Holiday carol ... or a literal hint to what can be drawn by connecting nine letters when this puzzle is finished |
| THETUBE | Set in a den, slangily ... or, initially, what can be found in each answer to a starred clue |
| BACKUPSINGER | One helping in a band ... or what can be found in each set of circled letters? |
| THEXFACTOR | Hard-to-define element, or a hint to what can precede each last word in answers to starred clues |
| TAXRETURN | April 15 filing, or what can be found in each set of circled letters in this puzzle |
| BACKCOUNTRY | Rural area ... or what can be found in each set of circled letters? |
| BACKSTREET | Thoroughfare away from the main drag, or what can be found in each set of circled letters |
| MADSCRAMBLE | Frantic, last-minute rush, and what can be found in each set of circled letters in this puzzle? |
| TROUBLEDWATERS | Difficult situation, or what can be found in each set of circled letters? |
| MARKMYWORDS | "Remember what I said!" ... and a hint to what can follow each part of the answers to starred clues |
