I’m very excited to be sharing this recipe with all of you today because it is a staple around our house. I’m not exaggerating when I say we have it at least 3 times a week.
We are coffee drinkers through and through but, this doesn’t mean that we discriminate against other beverages. I like to think of us as equal opportunity drinkers with water being our number one beverage of choice, coffee is second on the list and tea is a close third. BUT raising 2 toddlers, running a small business, waking up at 4 am daily and all of the tasks, errands, and sleepless night in between usually call for a nice morning cup of joe. The funny thing is, as much as I love coffee and claim to have “a cup” in the morning, I have been dubbed by my loving husband, “half cup” because I ALWAYS seem to leave a half full cup of coffee lying around some where before we head downstairs for our 6 am workouts.
That bad habit is what sparked the idea for this recipe. There was always my “half cup” of coffee plus a little leftover in the french press when it came time to make our protein shakes. So my husband (aka The Smoothie King) took those leftovers, added some chocolate protein and peanut butter and turned them into a delicious smoothie that is great for after a workout or an afternoon pick me up.
WHY you should give it a try:
Coffee
- Fun Fact: coffee is the most popular drink in the world. With 100 million drinkers daily and 500 billion cups drunk every year.
- The stimulant found in coffee is caffeine which is the why it is such a popular a morning drink. Though too much caffeine can be addictive and cause a crash if not consumed properly, it is also beneficial for cognitive health and the prevention of mental degradation as we age.
- Caffeine can also reduce the risk of stroke and in, female drinkers, it decreases the risk of heart attack.
Bananas
- The health benefits for bananas are impressive and extensive, here are a few key benefits I found to be worth mentioning.
- The high levels of B6 in bananas help to reduce swelling, protect against type II diabetes, aid in weight loss, strengthen the nervous system, and help with the production of white blood cells.
- Since bananas are high in potassium and low in salt, they are officially recognized by the FDA as being able to lower blood pressure and protect against heart attack and stroke.
- They help overcome depression thanks to the high levels of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin- the happy-mood brain neurotransmitter. Also helps to relieve Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Walnuts
- Walnuts are high in omega-3s, monounsaturated fats, and others essential fatty acids. The consumption of walnuts has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol in the blood and raise HDL levels which leads to lowered risk of heart disease and blood pressure.
- These healthy nuts have been long considered brain food due to the high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. When these fatty acids are paired with selenium and iodine (which are all present in walnuts), they have been proven to increase brain function.
- The minerals present in walnuts- manganese, copper, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium- have all been shown to help contribute to metabolic activities like growth and development, and digestion.
WHERE to get the goods:
- Coffee is readily available a number of places these days but I tend to be a little pickier when it comes to my brand. I prefer a local company that uses a fair trade bean. The higher the quality of the bean, the greater the health benefits so this is one item I would recommend doing a little research on to find a good quality that fits your budget and your needs.
- Walnuts are also easy to find. I prefer raw to ensure that they still have all of the healthy fats I am looking for. The bulk section is typically the most cost efficient way to purchase.
- If you are adding the protein to this recipe (which is optional), I recommend a high quality supplement that is easy on your tummy. Hemp protein is the most bio-available source of protein and Onnit has a great product. It’s the only one we use!
HOW to enjoy it:
- This smoothie is so versatile which is one reason we love it so much.
- Add the protein powder for a great after workout drink that is sure to keep you going. Which also makes it a great breakfast/meal replacement that can be blended quickly and consumed on the go. Great for all of the busy moms and go-getters out there.
- The coffee in the recipe makes it a great afternoon pick me up if you are feeling a drag after lunch.
I hope you find it as useful and tasty as we do!
Thanks for stopping by!
Em
- 6 oz brewed coffee
- 6 oz nut milk of choice (we use almond)
- 1 Frozen banana
- 1 heaping tbsp of almond or peanut butter
- 1 scoop vanilla protein
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- 1/3 C walnuts
- 1 Date
- Blend all ingredients execpt ice until combined.
- Add ice and blend until frothy.
- Enjoy!
- For a superfood boost- add 1 tbsp hemp seeds and blend.
