1 Serving || Estimated Preparation Time: 10 minutes

  Blueberry Baseline Smoothie
      Nourish & Thrive
     
  
  
  Smoothies can have a bad rap, and for good reason. Some can be loaded with sugar and leave you feeling hungry just an hour later after you crash. Not here. This is what I consider the baseline smoothie. It’s filling and full of protein and healthy but crave-able fats that make this smoothie particularly sip worthy. Frozen banana makes for an extra creamy foundation, and deep blue blueberries lend a subtle sweetness and dynamite color. Add some vegan protein powder, and you have a meal that will stay with you long after it’s quickly disappeared from the glass. 
  
  
  1 Serving
  1/2 banana, frozen
  2/3 cup blueberries, frozen
  1-2 tablespoons of raw almond butter
  5 ice cubes
  3/4 cups almond milk
  1 pinch of sea salt
  1 scoop of vanilla vegan protein powder (optional)

  Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth
  Add water or extra almond milk if it’s a bit too thick

Smoothies can have a bad rap, and for good reason. Some can be loaded with sugar and leave you feeling hungry just an hour later after you crash. Not here. This is what I consider the baseline smoothie. It’s filling and full of protein and healthy but crave-able fats that make this smoothie particularly sip worthy. Frozen banana makes for an extra creamy foundation, and deep blue blueberries lend a subtle sweetness and dynamite color. Add some vegan protein powder, and you have a meal that will stay with you long after it’s quickly disappeared from the glass.

Health Highlights

Blueberries are far and away one of the most powerful fruits; in studies, blueberries have been shown to prevent carcinogenesis by “inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory molecules and products of oxidative stress such as DNA damage” (phew!). Basically, blueberries are bursting with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Bananas are relatively high in sugar, but here, that is offset by the protein and the fats found in almond butter, and fiber in the blueberries. Ultimately, this smoothie is a balanced blend of vitamins, fiber, protein, and fats and can serve as a pleasant breakfast or hearty snack when hunger is evasive, or a tender mouth can only manage cool, soft foods.

Ingredients

(1/2) banana, frozen
(2/3) cup blueberries, frozen
(1-2) tablespoons of raw almond butter
(4-5) ice cubes
(3/4) cups almond milk
pinch of sea salt
(1) scoop of vanilla vegan protein powder (optional)

Tools

Counter top blender

Method

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth
Add water or extra almond milk if it’s a bit too thick

Adaptations

Try adding a handful of spinach or occasionally swapping blueberries for dark sweet cherries
If you’re on a calorie restrictive diet, feel free to skip the nut butter, but then don’t omit the protein powder as well

Cancer Tips

Blueberries, according to AICR, are an excellent source of vitamins C and K, manganese and a good source of dietary fiber. Blueberries are among the fruits highest in antioxidant power, largely due to their many phytochemicals. Vitamin C protects cells’ DNA by trapping free radicals and inhibiting formation of carcinogens.In cell studies, blueberry extract and anthocyanins, as well as ellagic acid and the urolithins that form from it, decrease free radical damage to DNA that can lead to cancer. They also decrease growth and stimulate self-destruction of mouth, breast, colon and prostate cancer cells! [More info]
Bananas are a good source of vitamin B6, manganese, vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber, potassium, biotin, and copper [More info]
Adding ingredients like almonds increases protein, fiber, and fat in each meal and can help keep your blood sugar more stable and sustain more energy over time [More info]

Recipe by Nourish & Thrive