There is just something about a smoothie that satisfies the taste buds, regardless of the weather! Grab the sunscreen or the snuggle duds or ‘long johns’ or even snuggle up to the fireplace and enjoy a smoothie!
Think Smoothies after the holidays when all of that food is being digested!
Rather than skip breakfast as so many of want to, just try a smoothie! Not only does it have more nutrients, it is easier to eat. I prefer the frozen kind, but it can also be eaten thru a straw.
There are so many foods to add to a smoothie. So many vegetables, fruits, nuts and don’t forget the protein powders!
I started using protein powders after discovering that gluten was the culprit that was making me sick. I never really liked meat, but was not getting enough protein. Both my nails and hair were very brittle, so I began searching for a cause. One of the reasons found was not enough protein. Once I started using protein powders, the nails improved rather quickly, but the hair took a bit of time. Disclaimer:This is not to say this is the reason for everyone’s brittle nails and hair, it worked for me.
For whatever reason, you may use protein powders, they do add nutrients.
This smoothie is loaded with nutrients and even a little caffeine.
Breakfast In A Glass Protein Smoothie
Ingredients
1/2 cup broccoli florets, frozen, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
2 large frozen sliced strawberries
1/2 medium frozen banana, sliced
1 tbsp Cocoa Powder (used Ghirardelli)
1 kiwi fruit, peeled, cut into quarters
1 large orange, peeled and cut into quarters
1/2 scoop protein powder
1/4 cup sliced almonds , for garnish ( 2 Tbsp per serving)
5 Ice cubes
Procedure
Place all ingredients in a blender capable of crushing ice (or a frozen concoction maker). Replace the top on the blender jar. This may also be made in one of the new food masticator type of blenders.
Pulse two or three times to get it started, push down the ingredients. Turn the blender shown on ‘ice crush’. Stop and push down as necessary.
A stick blender works well too, you may have to stir it a couple of times. Stir the mixture so that it will blend easier.
After the mixture is completed blended (no large particles showing, serve in parfait glasses.
When finished, use a spatula to remove all of the smoothie to serve.
Top with 2 tbsp sliced almonds. Eat with a spoon.
Servings: 2
Yield: 1 very large serving or 2 medium
Nutrition (per serving): 223 calories, 7.5g total fat, 3.8g monounsaturated fat, 1.7g polyunsaturated fat, 0g trans fatty acids, <1g trans-monoenoic fatty acids, <1g trans-polyenoic fatty acids, 1.4g linoleic acid, 1g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 101.3mg sodium, 104.6mg calcium, 657.5mg potassium, 71.1mcg folate, 133.5mg phosphorus, 6.9mg phytosterols, 0mcg lycopene, 2.2mcg selenium, <1mg thiamin, 0mcg vitamin b12, <1mg vitamin b6, 124.4mg vitamin c, 0IU vitamin d, <1mg zinc, 34.7g carbohydrates, 8g fiber, 26.8g net carbohydrates, 20.6g sugar, 4g fructose, <1g galactose, 3.8g glucose, <1g lactose, <1g maltose, 1.3g sucrose, <1mg stigmasterol, 10.7g protein, 6.9mg caffeine.
Author Notes
This can be made using fresh fruit, but will be liquid instead of frozen. Add the ice cubes at the beginning to reduce preparation time. Although the ice cubes can be omitted, I prefer the addition of the ice cubes to make it a bit smoother.
Feel free to add complementary items to the smoothie. If you add for instance oatmeal, reduce the broccoli or orange, because both have lots of fiber.
Warning: the top must be on the blender when pulsing, or there will be splashes everywhere!
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