By Thistle
Since Saigh has been posting some stuff about fitness programs(with more great stuff to come!), I figured it would be nice to include some nourishing and boosting recipes to go along with the workouts. I know when I started getting into heavier workouts and doing a lot of weight lifting, my body began to require more foods, and more of certain food groups – mainly fat and protein.
I make this smoothie usually an hour or so before my workout, or sometimes after my workout, depending on when I am feeling most depleted or in need of a boost. This is a very versatile recipe, and intended that way.
In the food blogging world, I am known as The Leftover Queen, and my philosophy is that making food for yourself should not be difficult. One way to make it simple is to use what you have on hand.
Many times in the past I would post a specific recipe, and then get comments like: “can I substitute Y ingredient for X ingredient?” or “I wish I could make that, but I don’t consume X ingredient” or “I wish I could make this but I don’t know where to get X ingredient” or “I don’t like X ingredient”. You get the gist…
This is your smoothie recipe – easy to tailor to your tastes and needs. I give some suggestions, but feel free to improvise. Like chocolate? Add a TBS or two of fair trade cocoa powder (no sugar added). Don’t do sugar? Try stevia, or fruit sweetened smoothies – dried dates are great for this. Avoiding caffeine? Skip that. Want to make it a greenie? Add a handful of spinach. The possibilities are endless!
INGREDIENTS: per smoothie (@ 16 oz)
1 cup liquid – Kefir, Raw Milk, Coconut Milk are good choices
1 banana – I also like using instead 1 avocado or ¼ cup of pumpkin puree
3 TBS almond butter – you can use any other nut butter
1 TBS virgin coconut oil – macadamia nut oil or hazelnut oil would also be tasty
Handful of soaked nuts – I usually use almonds – click here to understand about the benefits of soaking nuts
1 TBS 100% pure maple syrup (optional)
Dash of cinnamon (optional)
1 shot of espresso or ¼ cup of coffee (optional)
Ice
METHOD:
Place all the liquids in your blender first. Then add the fruit, butters, oils and nuts and then the cinnamon. Process on medium speed until well mixed, then start adding ice, a handful at a time, gradually, until the smoothie is at your desired consistency. I usually turn up the speed to high during the ice process. Pour and enjoy!
This recipe has been kitty approved.
Great recipe, thank you! This is a great alternative to all those artificial protein drinks that many lifters (including me once) use.
Thanks Saigh – I used to drink those too, but with my soy allergy and all the many reasons to avoid soy,I had to look for an alternative, since there are many that are based on soy. I wanted to ask you though, what are your thoughts on raw protein powders – that contain sprouted and then dehydrated grains, seeds, etc?