Almond Matcha Smoothie
One used to visualize their dream vacation spot when life gets chaotic. Well, it's been almost 2 months of shelter in place, and I need all the energy and immunity I can consume to stay sane and healthy (if you have kids, you know what I'm talking about, LORD JESUS, take the wheels!) Here's my super smoothie to boost your immune system and fire up those brain waves. Matcha powder is my #1 caffeine to go to for a pick me up. Think late-night studying to get things done minus Mountain Dew - great studying aid for those students preparing for finals this week! If you're like me trying to add healthier ingredients, definitely add a superfood such as chia seeds on your next grocery list!
Here are 5 reasons why chia seeds are fantastic:
1) Chia Seeds are tasteless.
2) They are full of antioxidants (think of it as a terminator stopping radicals waves trying to damage your cells).
3) It can help make you feel fuller due to the chia seeds expanding 10-12x it's weight when mixed with a liquid.
4) Chia seeds have calcium, so that's good news for those who don't consume dairy. Three tablespoons of chia seeds has more calcium than a glass of milk.*
5) Omega-3 fatty acids help raise HDL cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol that protects against heart attack and stroke.
For more goodness on chia seeds, check out what Bob's Red Mill has to say about the ancient superfood. Now combine that with another antioxidant Matcha green powder, aka green tea powder, then envision the Incredible Hulk (minus the anger issue). You get the picture! And if you love tapioca pudding, try making chia pudding since it's loaded with nutrients and vitamins that can help bones and teeth.
*Please note, the suggested recommended daily usage for chia seeds is 20 grams (1.5 tablespoons) twice per day. Two tablespoons of chia seeds have almost 10 grams of fiber. That's around 40 percent of the recommended daily intake. Consuming too much can cause some stomach issues due to too much fiber. Just keep in mind that chia seeds expand 10-12 times when exposed to liquid, so for those who have swallowing difficulty, moderation is key.
Recipe
Almond Matcha Smoothie
prep: 5 min
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1 Tbsp matcha powder
1/2 cup fresh spinach
1 cup (8 oz) almond milk
1/2 cup ice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp honey or sweetener, i.e., maple syrup, monk fruit, stevia
Sliced fruit to garnish (optional)
To see how I displayed my dream smoothie using kiwi, click here
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a Bullet or blender and blend until smooth.