5 STEPS TO A GREAT SMOOTHIE

Continuing my series on 'Fresh Breakfasts' and vegan recipes, today I'll share with you 5 steps to an amazingly delicious and nutritious smoothie plus a favourite smoothie recipe. 

1. Pack in the nutrients.  Packed with iron (kale and spinach), calcium (kale), potassium (bananas), omega-3 (chia seeds), anti-oxidants (berries) and more, this delicious smoothie keeps me energised and refreshed. 

2.  Add natural sweeteners: berries, bananas and raw maple syrup are my favourites.  In most smoothies, natural sweeteners 'cancel out' the taste of spinach and kale!

3. Commonly found is spinach, iron is best absorbed with vitamin C (found oranges, apples, berries, and more).  Pile in greens! Where there is spinach add a little citrus to enhance absorption of the iron.  

4.  Add water or almond milk to loosen the consistency of your smoothie - no yogurt or milk needed.  

5.  Chew your smoothie and top it with nuts, berries, bananas, apple slices or chia seeds to make it more 'chewable'.  For optimal digestion and absorption of nutrients, our food needs to be mixed with the saliva in our mouth and crushed with our teeth. 

And now, the smoothie recipe! 

b l e n d : 

2 cups loosely packed kale and/or spinach

2 ripe bananas

1/2 cup berries - frozen or fresh
squeeze of lemon (1-2tsp of lemon juice)
 water - add according to the consistency you want

... feel free to add apples, oranges, or whatever other fruit suit your fancy! 

t o p :

1 tbsp chia seeds
2 tbsp nuts (I love the soft crunch of walnuts)
berries of your choice - I used blueberries
1/2 of a sliced banana
optional: raw maple syrup

As my dad says, the bright green colour from the spinach and kale makes this smoothie look a little 'too green' but trust me it's gooood.  As in the photos above, I didn't add as much berries as in the original recipe above, hence it looking greener than usual.  Don't be surprised if your smoothie is slightly more red - especially if you add raspberries or strawberries.  Drizzling with maple syrup and adding toppings of my choice, I eat smoothies in a bowl with a spoon because I haven't yet found a cup big enough to fit them (suggestions anyone?!).

Enjoy!

What is your favourite breakfast?

xx