Energizing Coco-Berry Smoothie

by Nicole Lana Lee

• Antioxidant & Protein Powerhouse
• Beautifying & Boosts Metabolism (Enhances athletic performance)
• Guilt-free: Tastes just like ice-cream with no artificial sugar, dairy & cream
• Choco-fix: Fixes your chocolate craving while boosting your antioxidant levels
• 100% Natural: Boosts your vitamin level without pills or supplements
• Great smoothie to start your day, pre-, or post-workout
• *Vegan* & *Paleo* friendly

Introducing… Energizing Coco-Berry Smoothie  (Serves 2)

(1) 50-100 grams of frozen blueberries

(2) 50 grams of frozen strawberries

(3) 1 Fresh or Frozen Mango (Peeled and pitted)

(4)  1-1/2 Fresh or Frozen Banana – If you want the smoothie to be colder and thicker, use frozen banana and mango.

(5) 1/2 tablespoon of Organic Freeze-dried Acai Powder

(6) 1 tablespoon of Carob Powder

(7)  1 tablespoon of Chia Seeds

(8)  50 grams of Coconut Milk

(9) 4-5 Ice Cubes

(10) 50 grams of Filtered Water

Preparation (Takes less than 10 minutes to make!):

Put (1) – (10) into Vitamix or your favorite blender. Blend all ingredients until smooth.

Enjoy!

Why Coconut Milk?

Even though coconut milk contains a high level of saturated fats, these fats can actually speed up your metabolism, enhance athletic performance, and in turn boost weight loss.

The saturated fats found in coconut milk are mainly short and medium chain fatty acids (MCT), which are usually not stored by the body as fats, but have been found to provide instant energy to the body. MCT are easily digested and utilized as nourishment in the body, without putting much strain on the digestive system and boosting energy to accelerate healing.  This is why people who are recovering from illness and injuries may find that coconut milk particularly useful. Furthermore, lauric acid, a form of medium chain fatty acids found in coconut milk, also exhibits antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, boosting immune system.

Coconut milk contains high level of magnesium and phosphorus, supporting bone health, regulating blood sugar, and normalizing blood pressure.

Coconut milk is also high in iron so it maybe beneficial for vegetarians to consume coconut milk on a regular basis to prevent anemia.

Why Carob?

Carob tastes like chocolate, arguably better.

Carob is high in protein, and contains tannins that are rich in gallic acid, which provides anti-allergic, antiseptic and anti-bacterial benefits. It is also anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer.

Carob is rich in insoluble fibre and polyphenols, lowering LDL (the bad cholesterol), promoting digestive and heart health, and are high in anti-oxidants, and hence a beauty food too. Carob is also high in potassium and magnesium, promoting muscle health.

I thought the taste of raw cacao powder was a bit too “dark” for the smoothie, so I used carob powder instead.

The mango and banana help thicken the smoothie and give it a sweet, fruity and tropical taste, which is why you don’t really need to add additional sweetener to the smoothie.

Chia seeds will give you the protein you need and fill you up for the morning.

Acai powder will give you the extra antioxidant boost!

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How do you get your vitamin & energy boost in the morning? Tsk tsk, no dirty talk here 😉

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