Life has been a bit busy lately. Along with being busy, I have good news! I am now a Certified Teacher in Family and Consumer Science! I have always been passionate about the importance of good nutrition and forming good habits when you are young. I am so excited to be able to teach Nutrition classes to high school students, and hopefully make a difference. 😀
Studying threw my schedule way off, and now that I am done I’m feeling a huge need to get back on track! My favorite way to begin is with a smoothie…
You can hardly beat a smoothie that tastes like a treat, but is also healthy. Combining the right ingredients you can easily create a treat that has great nutritional benefits. This smoothie combines peanut butter, banana, almond milk, cocoa powder, and flax. These ingredients give you protein, potassium, calcium, and fiber.
I love peanut butter! It contains monounsaturated fat which helps lower triglycerides, good HDL cholesterol and regulate blood insulin levels. Peanut butter is a good source of protein and provides us with niacin, vitamin E, magnesium and phosphorus. It also has antioxidants.
You know Bananas…they are famous as a good source of potassium which, helps maintain normal blood pressure and good bone health.
Flax provides Omega-3, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) fatty acids. Omega-3 Fatty acids are also called essential fatty acids because they cannot be produced by our body. Essential fatty acids are important because they are needed for many functions in our body.
Omega-3 fatty acids are converted to eicosonoids. Eicosonoids from Omega-3′s are hormone-like compounds that help regulate blood pressure, blood clotting, aid in growth and development of cells, needed for vision and brain development, and maturation of nerves.
- 1 cup ice
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 small banana
- 2 tbsp natural unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp peanut butter, creamy
- Combine milk, banana, cocoa, and peanut butter in a blender with ice.
- Blend until smooth.
Oh my goodness, you will not believe how delicious this smoothie taste. It is thick, chocolatey with the delicious nutty taste of peanut butter. It is loaded with great nutrients, protein, and fiber to recharge and keep you full. With the Christmas season here, I’m going to need lots of recharging for baking, decorating, and shopping. 😀
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