Tropical Breeze Smoothie

If you prefer your fruit smoothies to be on the sweet side...you're gonna love this one.  The coconut manna adds such a rich sweetness that no additional sweeteners are needed.  

It's sweet enough to cure that mid day sweet tooth, but healthy enough to have for breakfast.

Tropical Breeze Smoothie

1 C. water or liquid of choice

1 C. pineapple

1 medium banana

1 navel orange

2 Tbsp. coconut butter or manna 

1 Tbsp. chia seeds

1/8 tsp. ground ginger

1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 C. ice

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.  Garnish with shredded coconut and cinnamon if desired.

If you do not have coconut butter or manna you can substitute unsweetened shredded coconut.  

This can easily serve two, but nutritional information is calculated as one serving.

Calories - 517

Fat - 22 g 

Saturated fat - 16 g (a healthy fat from coconut manna)

Protein - 9 g

Dietary fiber - 17 g

Carbs - 78 g
Sugar - 44 g

Protein Energizer

Here is another smoothie that is loaded with everything you need to keep you full and satisfied.

For today's smoothie I added Vega's Vanilla Almondilla energizing smoothie protein powder.  It's a little pricey so I use it sparingly.  What I like about it is the flavor of the Vanilla.  It's got a refreshing hint of something (some say a hint of lemon).  It's a plant based protein (good for vegans).  One scoop is equivalent to two servings of veggies.  Not to mention 1 scoop gives you 10g of complete protein and 5g of fiber.  When you feel like your smoothie is lacking nutrition this is a quick and easy way to give it a boost.

Protein Energizer  

1 C. plain unsweetened almond milk (or liquid of choice)

1 1/2 C. raspberries

1 1/2 C. pineapple

1 medium banana

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 Tbsp. chia seeds

1 C. ice

For an added boost of protein and nutrients make it a green smoothie by adding 1 C. spinach or kale.

Blend in blender until smooth.  

Nutritional Information

This makes 1 big serving.  Of course you can share if you like, but nutritional information is for 1 serving. :)  It might seem like a high calorie breakfast, but remember not all calories are the same.  For those calories you are getting a load of protein and fiber and a good dose of healthy fat.  This smoothie is from real, whole foods to fuel your body.  It will keep you going until lunch.  

Calories - 515

Fat - 9 g

Saturated Fat - 0

Protein - 20 g

Dietary Fiber - 30 g

Sodium - 254 mg

Vitamin A 725 IU, Vitamin C 155 mg, Calcium 626 mg (if using almond milk for liquid), Iron 4 mg.  

Good Morning Smoothie

Here is a quick and easy smoothie recipe that will leave you full and satisfied.  It is packed with protein, fiber and healthy fats.  See bottom of this post for nutritional information.

With only a few ingredients you can have it whipped up in no time.  

It's not the most colorful smoothie, but it tastes delicious!

I apologize for my food photography.  I have some lighting issues and more than a few things to figure out.  I will be working on that and hope to improve in time.

Recipe

1 1/4 C water or other liquid

1 medium banana

8 strawberries

1 C pineapple chunks

1/4 of an avocado

2 Tbsp hemp seeds

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ginger

1 c ice

I consider this a single serve recipe, but for some it might serve 2. :)

Nutritional Information for entire blender full

Calories - 434

Fat - 16 g

Saturated fat - 2 g

Protein - 11 g

Dietary fiber - 13 g

Sugar - 39 g (0 refined)

Carbs - 67 g

Sodium - 7 mg

Also has 251 IU vitamin A, 190 mg vitamin C, 66 mg calcium and 3 mg iron.