Super Foods Power Smoothie
2012 © copyright Savory Simple, all rights reserved
This is my daily breakfast. It’s very filling and so healthy. I like this smoothie so much that I used it to kick my morning caffeine habit. I used to look forward to coffee. Now I crave my smoothie.
May I talk about flax seed for a moment? One of the most common nutrition complaints I hear from people is that they don’t get enough fiber in their diet. Indeed, it can be quite difficult to get the recommended 20-35 grams per day, especially if you don’t eat a lot of fruits and veggies. 1 1/2 tablespoons of flax seed has 4 grams of fiber! That’s the same as eating a cup of brussels sprouts. In addition to containing fiber, flax seed has omega-3 essential fatty acids and lignans, which have antioxidant properties. There’s evidence that flax seed may help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Adding flax seeds to a smoothie is a perfect way to incorporate natural, healthy fiber into your diet. I recently discovered roasted flax
This recipe is totally customizable. I like using almond milk and butter because almonds are another super food. But feel free to swap out the almond milk for soy or coconut (coconut milk tastes amazing with the other ingredients and is a healthy fat). Use any nut butter you prefer. You can also add more nut butter for decadence. I know a lot of people are squeamish about green smoothies, but I promise you won’t notice the kale. It’s so good for you and this is any easy way to fill your tummy and add nutrition. I freeze individual servings of banana and kale so I simply drop them into the blender. The kale chops up better when frozen.
COOK TIME: 5 minutes
YIELD: 1 smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 frozen banana, chopped
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- 1 1/2 tablespoon flax seed (I prefer roasted flax)
- optional: a handful of kale, preferably frozen
- optional: 1/4-1/2 avocado
Method:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender.
- Mix on low for 30 seconds to chop up the banana and begin incorporating ingredients.
- Blend on high to puree the smoothie. Blend until the flax seed are kale are broken down and the mixture is frothy.
I haven’t tried flax seed, but roasted flax sounds appealing. What a great breakfast item to have on rotation!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE roasted flax too! This looks so yummy, thanks for sharing!
This sounds Yummy. Another great way to switch this up is substitute mango for the banana. Mango and kale are a match made in heaven.
I’m not much of a smoothie person but this looks great!
The best is too use ground flax as the body is able to digest it better.
This sounds delicious! I’ll give this one a try. Usually I don’t like breakfast smoothies because they fill me up a ton immediately (to the point I usually feel like I overate), but an hour later I’m starving.
The almond butter and flax are very filling. Sometimes if I want to give it an extra boost I add a scoop of Whey Protein Isolate.
I love it. I’m so gonna make it. These days I do not drink coffee which always was my breakfast. Now I make smoothies almost every morning and I’m happy when I find new recipes that I might like. I use flax seeds meal as it’s better absorb by our body, but never thought of putting it in the smoothie :)
This is the second time in a week I have seen kale in a smoothie! Next time I have some in the house, some is going into the blender (perhaps into the freezer first per your instructions). Love all that almond flavor, too.
Looks delicious! And it is indeed healthy…I actually bought a whole pack of flax seeds during my pregnancy and didn’t really know what to do with it, so ended up sprinkling it over salad. I should get more and try this smoothie now.
This sounds so good. I wonder if I can roast my own flax seeds. I have some, I might give it a try.
Thank you for this amazing smoothie recipe. I was looking for something that would be healthy but still give me enough fiber. Love this..
This looks divine. I must try it. Thanks for sharing it.
The roasted flax sounds good! In the winter I can only drink smoothies after working out – I just can’t drink cold drinks, I need something warm!
Oh I hear you. I’m always cold and that’s the negative. I drink the smoothie while hiding under a thick blanket. You could always skip freezing the bananas and kale.
Thanks. for this. I have been on a cleans for 2 weeks, and start my day with a similar smooth (Almond Milk, frozen fruit (mango, berries, whatever)…and, Kale -which you really don’t notice), ground flax seed. I have even added a bit of spinach sometimes. But..I haven’t been adding the nut butter – will definately try tomorrow morning!!
Yummy! :) thank you so much for sharing :)
I always love a new smoothie recipe! Thanks for sharing
I’m a big fan of the flaxseed/banana/almond milk smoothie, but I’ve never tried including kale, that sounds interesting, and super healthy!! I like to soak the flaxseed in the almond milk for about half an hour first to make it a bit softer.
What a great idea!
I’m not much of a breakfast person, but do like smoothies with almond milk (or sometimes rice milk) and frozen banana. Beautiful photo, as always!
I put flax seeds in EVERYTHING! I am a follower and i do mean everything all the salads, stews, chilli, coleslaw.. everything! Love this smoothie and love your shot of it! c
I sadly get up too early to considerately use my blender for breakfast, so don’t drink many smoothies anymore. (If you have a good recipe for make-the-night-before smoothies, let me know).
I used to do a lot of smoothies, though, and I would recommend trying chia seeds, too (not bought with a Chia head, those might not be safe to eat, but bought from a grocers). They have all of that good stuff in them, too, like flax. And if kahl is a little bitter, then spinach seems to be super mild in smoothies.
I love almonds. This I am definitely going to try!
I used to make smoothies similar to this for breakfast all the time. I got out of doing so and now I am totally motivated to start making them again! This looks so good!
I really like the idea of roasted flax … great suggestion! Bananas and almonds go together so well too.
Freezing kale and using it frozen! Great tip! I will have to try this tomorrow. Thanks!
That sounds really good! I’ve been doing something similar with a protein powder. I will have to give this a try!
I’ve been having a whole lot of these kind of smoothies for lunch lately. Such a good easy thing to have… although I haven’t been brave enough to put kale in it.
Love flaxseeds though.
That sounds good – I make smoothies for my children sometimes – especially when I’m running out of the house early to drive them to practice – smoothies are perfect – will give this one a try..
A smoothie is perfect food indeed. Satisfies the sweet tooth in a healthy way too. Your smoothie recipes are so refreshing. I confess that I am sitting at a coffee shop with a cup of coffee at my side as I read this… now I feel like chucking the coffee and drinking something smooth, nutritious and invigorating instead.
Yum! I’m a green smoothie addict. Must try roasted flax soon. I found a great vegan protein powder that I’ve been throwing in most mornings too. Frozen fruit, yogurt, spinach, avocado– i throw whatever I have around in there! Really want to try your recipe for homemade almond milk now that I have my VitaMix!
They sell the roasted flax at Whole Foods, it’s the only place I can find it around here.
Great idea of ingredients and maybe happily gluten free if use soy milk/almond milk ? Do you put ice in as well? Take Care, BAM
I put ice in the blender if I haven’t had a chance to freeze the bananas. I’m pretty sure this is considered a gluten-free smoothie!
I’ve never been one for healthy smoothies in general. But, I see your point about the nutrition you can pack into one smoothie. I just might give it a go, starting with roasted flax seed. :) Great tip on freezing individual portions so it’s easy to just throw them in!
My kids love smoothies. I’m going to have to give this one a try! We love flax seed around here, too. I have taken to putting it into pancakes, cookies, muffins and cereal. So far, nobody seems to notice.
I need to buy some flax seeds and give this a go. It sounds like a great healthy way to start the day
This looks like a great smoothie recipe! :) I actually had one similar for lunch today. Smoothies are the best way to get tons of nutrients in the form of something sweet. :)
I need to try this! I’m feeling brave and need a healthy boost of greens so I’ll include the handful of kale!
Reblogged this on Foodie Joanie and commented:
So healthy and delicious too!
I’ve been working out for a few years now and experimenting with smoothies and protein powder but I never put anything green in my fruit smoothies but thx to you I’ll try it :) I remember purchasing almond butter years ago and I remember it was rather expensive at the health food store. I wish I was making smoothies back then because I didn’t really know what to eat it with and it’s not too yummy plain. I think I may have to go out and get some more. Cheers to strong, healthy living!!
yum!! i love almond butter. this smoothie looks so yummy!
I knew flax seeds were good for you from the good fats perspective but not on the fibre ! All the more reason to eat them. And what a fab sounding smoothie – delicious and super nutritious.
I really need to kick my morning coffee addiction and this looks ideal!
I was just about to make a green juice and came across your post–so I made your smoothie instead! It’s nice to have another variation of smoothie/green smoothie/green juice, so thank you! :0)
Smoothies are just about my favorite things, ever, and I’m always looking for a new one. This looks great! Filled with all yummy, healthy things. Love almond milk. Will give this a try, thanks!
This looks so yummy, and is a perfect recipe for my whole foods diet.
Thanks!
Love our smoothies. We like rice milk, any combination of frozen fruits, flax oil, cashews, kale (even cabbage) and a dose of acidophilus! Mmmmm! We are especially keen on flax and nuts because we have dry eyes.
Sounds delicious! I tried to make a smoothie with flax seeds once but I was using a stick blender and I couldn’t get the seeds to break up.
What a fantastic blog you have! Beautiful photos and such creative, interesting recipes! I’m so flattered you stopped by my little blog and liked one of my posts. I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed in Google Reader and I look forward to your future posts. :)