SMOOTHIE TIME
The well awaited smoothie blog post is finally here (sorry about the delay). In the midst of my 9 to 5, MBA program, and wedding planning, I have been a little behind in my documentation of recipes and blog posts.
Since last summer, I have been drinking a smoothie as my breakfast, which for me is a big deal. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, especially gluten free toast with fresh avocado smashed on top but I have learned to love my breakfast smoothie. Two people who are a part of team (Alex Mazzurco and Taylor Sappington) like to say this breakfast smoothie is part of the “liquid before lunch” that I partake in every single day.
Typically, I wake up drink an entire elemental bottle of water (25oz) then make and drink smoothie. I do not have a whole food until around 1130AM. Between the time I drink my smoothie to my next meal I am giving my body at least 50oz of more water.
Why do I do this? What is the benefit of this?
I am waking my body up and being kind to my digestive track because in case you did not know that my digestive track is typically all kinds of angry at me (#ThatsSoCeliac), so to help it not be angry I treat it nicely with the water and my smoothie.
Things I have picked up from Taylor Sappington while working with her in regard to “liquids before lunch” is that:
The large majority of us are chronically dehydrated which is only compounded by the fact that we lose 1/2 L to 1 L of water overnight.
The large majority of us are not waking up and walking into a Zen morning but are being met with a laundry list of responsibilities to meet (getting to work on time, rush hour traffic, kids shall I continue) all of these induce stress; when we are stressed our body utilizes its internal reserves to support our survival meaning digestion takes (as it requires 30% of our energy to optimally break down a meal) a hit (there is a reason why it is called rest and digest) providing our body with fuel in a pre-digested manner means our body gets what it needs in terms of nutrients without over burdening the digestive.
The large majority of us are not getting enough fruits and vegetables a day (7-9 servings) and a smoothie is an easy and delicious way to get, in part, what we needed in terms of fiber, phytonutrients, and antioxidants.
It's an easy, effective, and tasty way to help support our body that is working hard to keep us in balance.
What my typical smoothie looks like:
2 Scoops of Equilibrium’s Daily Nutritional Support Shake, which is more then 12 different nutritional supplements in 1
1 C of Frozen berries or banana (rotate every day)
1 C of Califia Farms unsweetened almond milk
This recipe makes the perfect consistency of a smoothie, not too liquidly and not too thick. It leaves you full and happy until lunch!
Some of my other favorite smoothie recipes:
Recipe 1:
2 Scoops of Equilibrium’s Daily Nutritional Support Shake, which is more then 12 different nutritional supplements in 1
1 C of Frozen Strawberries (rotate every day)
1 C of Califia Farms unsweetened almond milk
1 C of spinach or kale (make sure to rotate)
Recipe 2:
2 Scoops of Equilibrium’s Daily Nutritional Support Shake, which is more then 12 different nutritional supplements in 1
1 C of Frozen Strawberries and Bananas mixed (rotate every day)
1 C of Califia Farms unsweetened almond milk
1/2 TBSP of Cacao
1/2 C Almond Butter
These are different variations of my everyday smoothie and add a variety to what I am consuming in my smoothie.
Another, great place to go for inspiration and more information on how your body can benefit from smoothies is Kelly Leveque’s website. She is known for her #FAB4SMOOTHIE. The Fab Four Smoothie is a formula to help you develop a blood sugar balancing meal replacement shake in any flavor with enough protein, fat and fiber to keep you full.
#FAB4SMOOTHIE FORMULA
Protein (20g min) + Fiber (10g min) + 1 Tbsp. Fat + Handful Greens + 1/4 Cup Fruit + Superfoods + Liquid
For recipes from Kelly herself, then go to https://kellyleveque.com/recipes/smoothies
Blendtopia Smoothies
I love the convenience and easy of Blendtopia’s Smoothie Kits. I came across these smoothie kits while perusing Whole Foods one day. I did research on them, have great conversations with the founder, and started utilizing them daily. I do enjoy creating my own smoothie outside of these smoothie kits from time to time, but prefer to save my kitchen creativity for my meals and baking creations! For more on Blentopia, go read “That’s So Blendtopia” blog post.
Note: I have come to find that I love Ripple Milk in my smoothie. It gives the smoothie a nice texture and helps make it thick without not needing a lot. Plus it is a great alternative for those who do not want or can’t have a nut based milk.