Berry 'Nana Nut Smoothie

Smoothies are a classic drink that can be consumed at any point in the day. Thicker than a glass of milk but thinner than a shake, smoothies should be considered the "hybrid diet drink". They are very unique because the creator can customize it to their wants and needs. From juice, coconut water, milk, fruits and veggies, protein powders and nut butters, and even nuts, seeds, or grains, you can individualize your drink to suit you. The possibilities are endless!

This is, by far, is my all time favorite smoothie recipe. This drink started out as an experiment but quickly turned into a delicious snack. Because it is very simple, quick and filling, the Berry 'Nana Nut Smoothie makes a great breakfast replacement, sweet tooth quencher, or just a great after school snack.

1 cup plant/nut milk, your choice (I use vanilla almond)
1 banana
1 tbs. peanut butter
¼ cup blueberries**
2 tbs. protein powder (I use Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein, Unflavored)
3-4 ice cubes**

**if you use fresh blueberries, I would recommend adding ice to make the smoothie cold. But if you use frozen blueberries, you do not have to add ice

*Ice will help thicken the smoothie while also making it cooler

Blend all ingredients together, pour into a cup and enjoy!

If you want to save it for later, leave the drink in the smoothie cup and place the cup in the freezer. Whenever you want to have the smoothie, take it out the freezer, let it thaw for about 20 minutes then blend to get the smooth consistency.



Here some quick facts about your smoothie ingredients:

• Blueberries are high in antioxidants, help fight cancer and promote heart health. In one cup of blueberries, there is 3.6 grams of fiber, 36% DV vitamin K, and 24 % DV vitamin C.

• Bananas are great for sweetening smoothies without adding sugar. They also keep you fuller, longer, which will help curve your appetite and deter you from overeating. They also are great with digestion and keeping you regular.

• Peanut butter is high in protein, so if you do not have protein powder just laying around, add a couple scoops of peanut butter to your smoothies to increase your protein count for the day. Also, the unsaturated fats found in peanut butter have been known to help aid in the prevention of type II diabetes.