the whole nut

banana-almond butter smoothie

September 9th, 2009

I sometimes look at smoothies the same way I look at soup: it may look appealing (and healthy), but exactly what’s in there? It seems that just about anything can find its way into a blended mix, and unfortunately, that is often the case. While many juice shops are smartening up and keeping the list of ingredients short and sweet (naturally), there are those lurking that use sugary mixes, funny additives, and ingredients that are less than healthy. No, all smoothies are not created equally.

But there is hope. Find a good smoothie, and it’s a great way to fill up key vitamins and minerals while enjoying a tasty treat. So what do I do? I’ll seek out a reputable juice bar (I love my nearby Juice Generation) or I’ll simply make my own.

My recent obsession has been a mix of banana, almond butter, flax seed and cacao nibs for an energizing jump-start in the morning. Bananas and almond butter go great together, that’s a no-brainer, but the last two ingredients really give this mix a powerful potency.

Flax seeds, which come from flax (a plant), have a nutty flavor and are very easy to incorporate meals (and well worth it). These seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids (good fat), protein, and help to stabilize blood-sugar levels. Flax seeds are also a great source for fiber, which gives a major boost to your digestive system. Ground flax seed also go great in yogurt, oatmeal, and other mixes.

Cacao nibs are ground up cacao beans, straight from the pod, and provide a wonderfully rich and natural flavor. This unsweetened form of chocolate has been spared the normal process of added sugar, preservatives, and anything else you might find in the average bar of chocolate. In its pure form, cacao is chock full of antioxidants and essential minerals like magnesium, which combats cramping, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and joint problems. No need to feel guilty with this chocolate.

So make a run by your local health food store and get busy blending!

Ingredients
3 Medium-sized ripe bananas
1 Cup almond milk (unsweetened)
2 Tablespoons almond butter
1 - 2 Tablespoons ground flax seed
1 Tablespoon cacao nibs
5 Ice cubes

Instructions
Add the ingredients into a blender by the order of the list, and mix on medium/high for about one-minute. Many blenders today have settings specific to smoothies, and if this is the case for yours, use what you feel is appropriate.

And that’s it! In less than five minutes you’ll have a quality breakfast ready, and enough for two servings. So if you’re not sharing, store it in the fridge for tomorrow morning, or, cut the recipe in half and enjoy the single serving.

When you start your morning with a balanced meal, it’s bound to make a difference throughout the rest of your day. This smoothie provides your body with a wonderful mix of potassium, fiber, protein, good fat, magnesium (just to name a few) and best of all it contains NO sugar and is gluten-free. This isn’t your local Jamba Juice smoothie with hidden sugars and powdery mixes (because those blends won’t provide you with much else aside from calories).

Know what goes into your meals and into your body (remember: it’s all connected). It’s the quality ingredients in this smoothie that will help keep your body satisfied until lunch time without compromising your energy or your taste buds.

Filed under: Recipes

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