Banana Blueberry Smoothie

We’re well overdue for some smoothie lovin’ on this site. I love how smoothies are so gosh-darn easy and filling. You can generally throw whatever you’ve got in the blender and, unless you really ham it up, you’ve got yourself a super tasty, nourishing glass of goodness.

Smoothies have always got my back when:
● I’m running late and need breakfast on the run
● I get home from a jog
● I get home from work starving and need something to eat before cooking dinner
● I’m feeling sick or running low on energy and can’t face preparing a meal

My smoothie preferences vary wildly depending on my mood. I’ll often add some superfoods to a smoothie – such as acai, goji berries, cacao, or chlorella – and sometimes even greens such as kale or spinach. But lately I’ve been favoring nice, simple combinations like pear and ginger, banana and blueberry, or almond and chocolate.

I made this banana blueberry smoothie after running up One Tree Hill. Im lucky to live only a few blocks from this striking volcanic peak in Auckland. The surrounding park is made up of beautiful rolling hills, 120 hectares of which are run as a farm by the city, filled with sheep, cows and chickens to remind us urbanites of rural life – the backbone of our economy. There’s nothing quite like having sheep run alongside me and cows mooing me along as I make my way to the top!

Banana Blueberry Smoothie Recipe
I soak my almonds in water overnight to aid digestion. Soaking them removes the enzyme inhibitors from the skin, thus allowing the enzymes naturally secreted during digestion to do their job properly. You certainly don’t have to soak them – if I’ve forgotten to pre-soak them I’ll just throw them in as they are and it tastes fine – but where possible I try to soak them overnight beforehand.

1 banana
1 fresh date
½ cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
¼ cup almonds, soaked overnight
⅓ cup plain unsweetened yogurt
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed / linseed
1 cup milk (soy or rice milk is fine)

If soaking the almonds, place in a small bowl and fill with water to about ½ inch above the almonds. Soak overnight. Drain water and rinse thoroughly.
Place all ingredients in blender. Pulse several times to break up frozen berries. Then blend continuously for 30-40 seconds.

Makes 1 large smoothie.