Kick-Starter Smoothie

Super tasty, slightly spicy smoothie full of goodness to kick start your day! Or use it to give yourself a little perk-up in the middle of the mayhem now that we are all back to the routines of school, work and after school clubs…

Most of my recipes on this blog are aimed at meeting my sons dietary needs,  but this one is for me! To energise, stimulate and benefit my body and my mind – anaphylaxis is stressful to live with, and if I can help my body beat some of the stress through diet I reckon it is worth a try! We have separate utensils for dealing with foods which come into contact with his allergens so I can make this for myself while he’s at school knowing he will be perfectly safe when he returns. If you want to make it dairy-free use your dairy alternative, with Aars I would use his ko-ko coconut milk. If you are allergic to tree nuts but not ground nuts swap the almond paste with peanut butter. If you are allergic to all nuts just skip the tablespoon of nut paste – it isn’t vital!:)

I use a blender to make my smoothie – if you have a juicer (I am jealous) and you should use it!

Kick-Starter Smoothie – Ingredients

fresh apples, fresh ginger root, fresh bananas, almond paste, ground cinnamon, filtered water, natural bio-yogurt

Kick-Starter Smoothie – Process (makes 600ml)

• In a blender add:
  • 2 roughly chopped apples
  • 2 cm³ fresh ginger root
  • 2 chopped bananas
  • 100ml live natural bio-yogurt
  • 4 Tbsp filtered water
• Blitz until it is all liquid then add:
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp almond paste
• Pour into your glass of choice and enjoy the fresh, slightly spiced smoothie of lovely goodness.

  

I am not an expert but what I do understand I can share regarding the ingredients and how they benefit your body. Hopefully it will help you appreciate the goodness of this smoothie as well as its tangy taste.

• Apples: give an instant natural sugar boost and vitamin C.
• Bananas: rich in potassium and B6 (a stress-busting vitamin) promote the release of serotonin, they also provide a slower release of energy.
• Cinnamon: a vitality boosting stimulant – the über remedy for the run-down and weary, it also works as a natural antiseptic!
• Ginger: a mental stimulant (hence this fabulous type-up) and aids circulation. It’s got to be one of the best spices for you, and if you are suffering with nausea ginger is a god-send!
• Bio-Yogurt: Calcium helps calm your nerves, and bio or live yogurt is rammed full of pro-biotic bacterias which aid digestion and boost your immune system. (don’t use flavoured ones as they tend to be crammed with sugar)
• Almonds: packed with vitamins B & E which boost your immune system.