Our antioxidant protein power blast morning get up & go!

PEANUT BUTTER, CHOCOLATE, BANANA POWER SMOOTHIE!

 This is how we start off our mornings around here.  I have one child that really doesn't eat veggies so I figured out how to slip them in to our morning smoothie.  They all beg for this everyday!

You will never guess what is hidden.  Since my little Clayton will not eat one thing green unless it's an apple, I hide spinach in this smoothie.  You can't detect it at all.  I also load it with other powerful antioxidants such as blueberries.  All you taste is banana, chocolate, and peanut butter.  The Peanut butter and almond milk give it a boost of protein to start our day and help keep blood sugar steady so we do not have that morning crash.

Helpful tips:  I keep a bag of frozen bananas already cut up and ready to go in my freezer.  I also keep a bag of fresh organic  spinach leaves in the freezer.  They freeze great.  DO NOT use already frozen spinach from a box.

Smoothie ingredients: makes about 3 cups

• 2 bananas ( I use frozen bananas because it makes the smoothie stay cold)
• 1/2 cup or more frozen blueberries
• hand full frozen spinach ( of fresh)  whatever you have on hand
• 2  heaping TBS Peanut Butter ( I use Natural not the kind loaded with sugar and hydrogenated oils)
• 1 heaping TBS Pure Coco powder ( no sugar is in this)
• few drops of Stevia ( you can use sugar if you like.  I try to stay away from sugar)
• 3 cups of Almond Milk ( use regular cow milk if thats what you like)  

Throw all the ingredients in the blender and blend till smooth.

Yes, the smoothie has a purple color but it taste awesome!  Trust me when I say my pickiest eater drinks this up!

 I have a Vita Mix blender.  It blends frozen things better than anything I've ever seen.  It's well worth the money to get one.)

Also, if you have whole peanuts on hand, you can just throw about 1/2 cup of whole peanuts in and the Vita Mix blender will blend them into the smoothie with ease.  Add more nuts if you want more pea-nutty taste.


Why Stevia?
Stevia is a all natural sweetner that is derived from a plant.  The Stevia plant is an herb that is about 200 times sweeter than sugar.  I use the liquid kind and since it is so potent, I only use a few drops at a time.  I like this substitute because of it's very low glycemic index, zero calories, it's all natural, and helps keep blood sugar stable.

Why Peanuts? Here is some great information that might help you to choose Peanuts.  They are a great source of powerful antioxidants that our bodies need to ward off disease.

• Peanuts are rich in mono-unsaturated fats.  These fats are what our bodies need for energy.  
• Peanuts are high in Oleic acid, helps lower bad cholesterol ( LDL) 
• Good Source of protein
• Quality amino acids
• They have poly-phenolic anti-oxidants which help protect our bodies from cancers
• They contain Resveratrol which is another powerful anti-oxidant
• Source of vitamin E
• Peanuts have folates, vitamin E, B- complex, pantothenic acid, niacin, riboflavin
• Rich in Minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc

****anti-oxidants are what keep our bodies safe from degenerative disease such as cancers. This is why I try to feed my children anti oxidant- rich foods everyday!  Dairy products & meat, do not contain the phyto nutrients and antioxidants that plants, nuts, &  seeds contain.

I've only listed some of the great properties of peanuts.  Look it up and you will see other great facts about them.


Hope you enjoy your smoothie!

All my frozen fruit and spinach all bagged up and ready to go!

Plain coco powder

Ready to blend it up

You can add the whip cream if you like.  

Makes enough for all 3 kids.  I spoil them a bit by putting a bit of whip cream and sprinkles on top.  I don't do whip cream every day but sometimes it's just fun!  I know they are starting their day off with healthy nutrition that takes a few minutes each morning.

My pickiest eater on the planet drinks this down.  I feel good about giving him this anti-oxidant  and phyto-nutrient rich drink!