Foodie Friday - A Smoothie You'll LOVE
Who doesn't love a good smoothie recipe? Can't do the same old same old protein powder and kale every day!
The one I'm sharing with you today is packed with amazing ingredients that will power you through the day!
Heads up! It has a few unusual ingredients but don't be scared. It's important to try new things. Be sure you get unsweetened tart cherry juice concentrate – it probably will be near the healthy bottled juices in your grocery store, depending where you shop.
Here’s a quick rundown of why this smoothie is so awesome:
→ Tart Cherry Juice – This has been found to speed up recovery and reduce muscle soreness. Plus, some studies show it might improve your performance during your workouts!
→ Turmeric – This inflammation-fighting spice contains curcumin, an antioxidant that’s been in the news a lot because of its health benefits. It can help ease soreness, pain and swelling.
→ Cacao – This raw form of chocolate is another surprising source of micronutrients – flavanols, magnesium, and B vitamins – that help your body bounce back from stress and balance your electrolytes.
→ Beets – These dark-red veggies contain a sweet powerhouse of nutrients to help your body overcome stress. This is great for your muscles … and also your heart!
→ Walnuts – These are the only tree nuts that contain plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats help fight inflammation.
→ Spinach – Dark leafy greens contain a long list of micronutrients (like magnesium) to help support your muscle function and recovery.
→ Banana – Not only do bananas help make your smoothies sweet & creamy, they contain potassium, an electrolyte that helps your muscles function properly.
→ Protein Powder – This helps with muscle repair and recovery. If you don’t have one you love, look for a plant-based protein with no added sugar and at least 20 grams of protein per serving. Another option is to use a collagen powder. My favorite is Sports Research Collagen Peptides.
Okay - here's the recipe!
Choco-Cherry Recovery / Energy Smoothie
Makes 1 serving
¾ cup (180 ml) coconut, almond, or macadamia nut milk
2 tbsp tart cherry juice concentrate
1 handful of spinach
¼ cup (25 g) frozen mixed berries
½ medium beet, peeled and cut into cubes
½ frozen banana, chopped
1 tbsp cacao powder
1-2 scoops of collagen / protein powder (chocolate would be amazing!)
½ tsp turmeric
4 walnuts
Place the first 3 ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend till smooth. Add berries, beet, and banana to the blender and mix well. If it’s too thick, add a splash of non-dairy milk.
When it’s smooth, add the protein powder, turmeric and walnuts and blend until it reaches your desired consistency. Drink as soon as possible.
I hope you LOVE it!
I’ve got tons of amazing recipes like this one in my Back to Basics Program that I run every month. Next session starts March 9!
You can learn more here and or email me at niki@theflourishgroup.net and I’ll get back to you ASAP with the details!