Smoothies are a wonderful food. They fall beautifully between drink and food; have the potential to be super-healthy or very indulgent; are refreshing on a cold day; nourish you after exercise, or round off a meal as a dessert. There really are not many boxes that a smoothie cannot tick, if it really tries and you have a little imagination.
I figured that the beginning of January is a perfect time to celebrate and promote the Smoothie. Many of us are looking to make healthy choices or detox, and smoothies offer a wealth of opportunities for both.
Adding Almond Butter (or Almond Coconut Butter) to a smoothie will instantly up its protein levels. You will fill fulller and be satisfied for longer, and it also makes for a thick and creamy texture. You can literally add a tablespoon or two of Almond Butter to any smoothie you make, but read on for a couple of recipes in case you want to try something new...
BLUEBERRY ALMOND BUTTER SMOOTHIE
Taken from the Minimalist Baker site.
I recommend sprinkling some activated buckwheat or hemp over the top - adds extra crunch and even more protein
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Ingredients: 1 1/2 C banana (fresh or frozen) 1/2 C frozen blueberries 1 T Totally Nuts Almond Butter 3/4 C milk of your choice 1 T flax meal 1 T chia seed 1-2 T protein powder (optional) |
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Instructions: 1. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and mix on high until creamy and smooth. 2. If it has trouble blending then add a little more milk. 3. Pour into glasses and sprinkle buckwheat or hemp seeds over the top as a garnish. |
ALMOND BUTTER SMOOTHIE
Taken from the Paleo Grubs site.
You can substitute the strawberries for any frozen fruit of your choice - all berries work great, as do mango and extra banana. And again, I recommend the activated buckwheat or hemp sprinkles!
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Ingredients: 1 banana, frozen 1/2 C frozen strawberries 2 T Totally Nuts Almond Butter 1 C milk of your choice 1 T raw honey 4 ice cubes |
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Instructions: 1. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and mix on high until creamy and smooth. 2. If it has trouble blending then add a little more milk. 3. Pour into glasses and sprinkle buckwheat or hemp seeds over the top as a garnish. |