Thick & Creamy Simple Green Smoothie in a Bowl

We've all tried green smoothies or monsters right?

If you haven't then what are you waiting for!?

They're the simplest, fastest, most satisfying breakfast you can make. . .

. . .(except for oatmeal of course, it may not be as fast but it is just as satisfying).

Now you know me I'm a health nut. I get over-excited about nutrition facts and finding out new things I never knew before. So naturally I like to through spinach at my smoothie. Or I should say "into my smoothie". The best part is, it tastes like dessert and yet its ridiculously healthy and far from it. I must admit that when I first discovered the green monster a few years ago, I was kind of skeptical and weirded out by it. But not anymore. Now I am obsessed with spinach in my smoothies. I really love the way I feel after eating one of these. A full serving of greens for breakfast (or lunch/snack) is so hydrating and refreshing. I think blending the spinach/greens helps you digest them better and get the most nutrients out of them. When you think about it, your body doesn't have to work as hard to break down the food and get feed you the vitamins and minerals. It's a world of health in a glass or should I say bowl?

Yes, that's right I love my smoothies served in a bowl. There's something about getting to top your smoothie with fresh berries, fruits, nut butters, and granola that is just too much fun to pass up. It's like an ice cream bar! But for breakfast!

I have to say I just drool over Kath Eats' smoothie-in-a-bowls and all of her oatmeal/breakfast creations. I owe her a big thank you for showing me something so simple as serving a smoothie in a bowl.

The frozen banana makes this super thick and creamy. Perfect for a hot day when you want something ice cold.

Ahh, convenience in a blender with barely any clean up. If you do serve this in a glass, its the easiest thing to take with you on the run or for your commute to work. Now you have no excuses not to make a nutritious breakfast.

Simple Green Smoothie in a Bowl (serves 1)

Ingredients:

• 1 large frozen banana slices
• 1 nice big handful baby spinach
• 1/3 -1/2 cup almond milk (or milk of your choice)

Method:

1. Pretty self explanatory. Put spinach and banana in blender. Then add the milk and blend away until smooth and creamy. You may need to give the mix and quick stir part way through depending on how powerful your blender is (I clearly need a new one).
2. Pour and top away!

Topped with:

• Love Grown Foods sweet cranberry pecan granola
• 1 big tbsp organic natural peanut butter
• Raspberries
• Pitted fresh cherries
• Sliced strawberries 
• Sprinkle of shredded coconut

I know it doesn't look like there are any berries in there, but I promise you they are there. It got a little melt-y while photographing.

See I told you they're in there!

I really enjoy having this for lunch some days when I don't feel like making a salad. I could probably live on green monster smoothies and be the happiest person E-V-E-R!

There will be more variations to come, that's for sure.

Adding Some Chia Into Your Life

 

Okay, so in last Thursday's post I touched on some of the benefits of chia seeds. Well I love these little superfood seeds so much, I thought it would be great to write about those benefits a little more in-depth.

Let's start with a list shall we?

1. They balance your blood sugar - The gel that Chia forms can slow digestion and help to balance blood sugar levels.
2. They Energize you - There is no insulin spike needed to lower your blood sugar level after eating Chia. This is because the gel that they create when mixed with water or liquid helps to digest carbohydrates at a slow and uniform rate. That means fewer energy crashes and cravings for refined or sugary foods.
3. Omega 3s & Weight Loss - They have more omega 3's than Atlantic salmon does and contain more than 60% of the essential fatty acid in one serving. We need those healthy fats in order for our bodies to stay lean and believe or not, these fats will also help you lose weight. Yep, that's right. Fat is not the enemy (unless its hydrogenated or trans fats were talkin' about). This is because they aid in balancing key hormones such as cortisol and insulin that exert tremendous control over your weight. Omega 3's are also a great way to improving your immune system.
4. More fiber than your bran cereal - depending on the brand you choose, 2 tablespoons will give you about 7 grams of fiber! Don't forget to drink water though. Since these little seeds absorb so much of it you want to keep things moving in the right direction. This will also help to reduce blood cholesterol and keep you feel satiated longer.
5. Calcium & Protein - Drum roll please......15% of your daily calcium intake in a single serving, which is 200 mg! That's just over 1/3 of the amount that's in a glass of skim milk. It also has 4 grams of protein. It is one of the most complete plant based proteins out there. Great news for vegetarians!

They contain more calcium, protein and fiber than flax seeds. Plus they do not need to be ground up to reap their benefits, which adds some nice fast convenience. Chia seeds are also naturally gluten free.

I should also mention that they are very high in antioxidants including vitamin C and E, minerals magnesium and potassium, and vitamin B, which are essential for good health. They are full of cleansing and hydrating properties that hydrate you from the inside out. Ancient Mayans and Aztec warriors would cross the dessert for days at a time, keeping chia seeds under their tongues to prevent dehydration.

What would a serving be?

A typical serving would be 2 tablespoons a day. That would give you 100% of your omega 3's per day.

Is there any difference between black and white chia seeds?

I've been wondering this for a while myself and after a little internet digging I found that there really is no major difference between the two. There seems to be a consensus that the white ones are higher in nutrition, but it appears to be a myth.

Where can I buy them?

You can find them at your local health food or grocery store. For the Canadians out there I usually like to buy my chia seeds at the Bulk Barn. It's just a little cheaper to buy in bulk. You can also purchase Bob's Red Mill chia seeds online here for a good price. I also like Prana's organic raw chia seeds which you can also buy online.

What is the shelf life of chia seeds?

They will last for up to 5 years when you store them in a cool, dry place.

Sounds too good to be true right?

Here's the nutrition profile for Prana Chia Seeds:

Chia seeds don't have any strong flavour so they blend well with almost any food. That's the great thing about chia!

Have you tried chia seeds before? What is your favourite way to use them?