Immune Boosting Smoothie

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Years!

Can you believe 2013 has already flown by? I certainly can't.

I took a break from posting on the blog last week to enjoy Christmas with family, but now I'm back in the full swing of things.

If you're anything like me, you'll probably be looking to start 2014 off on the right track with some powerful nutrition, tons of veggies, and healty recipes to cleanse your body. With all the indulgence over the holidays... and strecthy clothes ;) ... we can forget how good simple clean nutrition can make us feel. So here's a simple smoothie that will help start the process and boost your immunity.

This smoothie starts off with a base of frozen banana's. The perfect solution to making any healthy smoothie thick, creamy, and smooth. The potassium in banana's is an essential nutrient for maintaining normal blood pressure. It's been said that when you feel dizzy, eat a banana. They're also high in vitamin B6, C, and fiber.

Next we add to the blender:

Fresh squeezed orange juice (Not concentrate. The real thing - with pulp)
Lemon juice
Raw honey
Fresh ginger
Matcha green tea

I love this smoothie. It's creamy. It's delicious. It's easy. A great way to start your morning or to give you a boost mid afternoon.

Although I didn't add it, I made protein powder optional. My main goal when creating this smoothie though was to make a drink that was full with nutrition and wellness.

Hello pathway to health:

Fiber
Antioxidants
Potassium
Vitamin C
Vitamin B6
Iron

Bottoms up!

Immune Boosting Smoothie Gluten-Free, Vegan Option | Serves: 2

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Ingredients:

• 2 bananas, peeled and frozen
• 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1-2 tbsp raw honey (optional - sub maple syrup for vegan)
• 1/2 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
• 1 tsp matcha green tea powder
• scoop of protein powder; your favourite kind (optional) -vega sport is my favourite

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on high until smooth.
2. Serve immediately.

Notes: Nutritional info is calculated without protein powder. For a thinner smoothie add 1/4-1/2 cup more juice or water.

Nutrition Information: 

Serving Size: 1 smoothie (half the recipe) Calories: 199 Fat: 0.7g Saturated Fat: 0g Sodium: 2mg Carbohydrates: 49 Sugar: 33g Fiber: 5g Protein: 2g

Rise n' Shine Smoothie

This tastes like a milkshake!

It has the perfect consistency and thickness, and just the right amount of sweetness from the fruit.

The almond butter and chocolate protein powder work really well together in this shake to make it nice and creamy...just like a milkshake.

I love that the protein powder leaves no trace of chalkiness in the smoothie. Some powders are unfortunately like that.

This is the first time I've added matcha green tea powder to a smoothie. You really can't taste it and it adds a very healthy punch to the mix. Green tea in any form is a source of antioxidants, but matcha is one of the most powerful sources of antioxidants, minerals (calcium), and vitamins. There's more antioxidants in matcha green tea than there are in blueberries, it's 100 times more potent than Vitamin C, and has over 9 times the beta carotene of spinach. I really enjoyed using this as a supplement in my smoothie. It gives a whole new meaning to the name green smoothie!

If you're not used to the matcha green tea you may want to start with a 1/4 tsp instead of a 1/2 or more. It has some pretty powerful detoxing qualities.

This really is a simple fast breakfast shake that can be ready in minutes. With lot's of fiber and healthy fats to keep you satisfied and energized. Of course there's nothing wrong with enjoying it for lunch instead.

I have missed you summer! 

...Now where's the coffee!

Rise n' Shine Smoothie (serves 1) Gluten Free, Vegan

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Ingredients:

• 1/2 large banana, frozen
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 tsp matcha green tea powder
• 1/2 scoop chocolate Sunwarrior Protein
• 2 tbsp almond butter
• 1 cup almond milk (or milk of your choice)

Directions:

1. Place the frozen fruit, green tea, protein powder and almond butter into the blender. Pour the almond milk over everything. 
2. Blend and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 342 Fat: 21g  Sat Fat:2 g  Carbohydrates: 29g  Sugar: 12g  Sodium: 176mg  Fiber:7g Protein: 15g