Looking to switch up your afternoon snack with something a little more nourishing? Give this smoothie recipe a whirl!
By Kristin DeasyKristin Deasy is a freelance writer from California based in Argentina
Ingredients:
1 large banana, preferably organic (if it’s mature or already browning, that’s even better as it will be sweeter—this is a great way to use old bananas!)
2 tablespoons organic maca powder (if you’re unfamiliar with the many energy-boosting health benefits of maca, a root vegetable from Peru, see this; note: omit the maca you have thyroid issues)
1-2 tablespoons of your favorite nut butter, preferably organic and additive-free
1/4 cup organic milk or non-dairy milk (watch out with the latter, the majority have a lot of additives! When I don’t feel like making my own nut milk – which is surprisingly easy – I use additive-free powdered coconut milk)
1 Tablespoon ground flax seeds
1/4 teaspoon all-natural vanilla flavoring
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
About 1/2 cup of ice
A dash of nutmeg
Sea salt to taste (sounds strange, but give it a try – adding a little salt really makes this smoothie pop!)
Maple sugar to taste
Instructions:
Combine everything in the blender and process. If it’s a little too thick, add more water or milk.
If you want to switch it up, try adding organic chocolate or cocoa powder, using orange juice instead of milk, adding cold brewed coffee or including spirulina or other supplements. Make it your own!
Health benefits: How this smoothie helps your body
Banana gives you low-glycemic sweetness (that means your blood sugar will rise gradually instead of all at once), maca is said to help boost energy and regulate hormones, nut butter gives you heart-healthy fats, protein and key nutrients, organic cow milk provides calcium while nut milks provide fiber along with an array of minerals, ground flaxseed, a superfood, gives you fiber, proteins and antioxidants (to name a few of its many benefits), while vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg are warming spices that help balance the coolness of the smoothie.If you give it a try, let us know what you think in the comments below!Kristin Deasy is a freelance writer from California based in Argentina. She is passionate about nutrition and recently opened a restaurant oriented towards clean eating in Patagonia.