Today’s recipe is a brain boosting smoothie and it’s a favorite of mine. The original recipe is from Rebecca Katz’s, The Healthy Mind Cookbook, but I’ve slightly modified it. I’ll sometimes make this smoothie for breakfast, but it works just as well as a snack, for lunch, or dinner. I just double the serving to satisfy my man-sized appetite, and feed my Cro-Magnon brain.
This smoothie is loaded with good fats like Kiefer and a combination of raw walnut/cashew butter. On top of that you get the additional hit of brain protective, plant nutrients. Berries are loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. This is due to the substances that give them color, polyphenols, specifically anthocyanins. They are also lower in sugar than most other fruit so even the paleo folks would approve.
I prefer a raw goats milk kefir as a better dairy option for those that have some gut issues or mild sensitivities to dairy, but even if you didn't have any sensitivity I still think raw dairy is a better option. You can make kefir at home, get it through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), or you can find a good quality store bought brand if all else fails. Here is one brand I recommend for the goats milk kefir.
There are a lot of health conscious people that aren't into dairy for various reasons. If you're one of them you can easily substitute the kefir with coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk or even apple juice.
The Ceylon cinnamon is a great circulation booster and anti-inflammatory, plus it helps to regulate blood sugar.
This recipe makes 1 quart so it’s perfect for packing in a cool thermos to keep you fueled throughout your day, or just leave leftovers for the next day.
If you’d like some extra protein add your favorite protein supplement, but unless you’re trying to build some serious mass (Still, just eating food is better, but we get it. It’s convenient.) you probably don’t need the extra protein.
I don’t like counting calories and it’s not something we recommend at The Vital Guide but since Rebecca Katz laid out the breakdown for us, why not. The final numbers may vary slightly due to the adapted ingredients but I don't suspect by any significant margins at all.
Add all the ingredients to your blender of choice and process until smooth and creamy. Make sure you blend it well because a mouthful of blackberry seeds is no fun.
That’s it! Go make this now and tell us what you think.
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup plain raw cultured kefir
1 cup filtered water
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon freshly grated Ceylon cinnamon
1 cup fresh or frozen wild blueberries
1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries
1 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted
3 tablespoons raw walnut/cashew butter
1 tablespoon finely ground flaxseed
11/2 teaspoons raw unfiltered honey
Pinch of sea salt
PER SERVING:
Serving size 1 cup
Calories 147
Total fat 8 g (2.5 g saturated, 2 g monounsaturated)
Carbohydrates 16 g
Protein 6.5 g
Fiber 6 g
Sodium 22 mg