This post shares a recipe I created after enjoying one of Smoothie King's vegan smoothies - Nutty Super Grain. I started with several of the same ingredients, added quite a few others and kept tweaking until I got it right for me and my family. Please don't let the large number of ingredients scare you off from making this delicious smoothie. It is a lot, however, they combine together to create a great taste together and are super nutricious ingredients. Because there are so many, however, I set out all the ingredients before starting so I won't miss one or two. This recipe makes enough for at least two single serving meals or for 3 - 4 small helpings. By the way, it is super filling and keeps me easily satisfied for up to six hours.
EXTRA PREP NOTES
•My tablespoons are very generous ones.
•It's super important to mix this smoothie well (patience and possibly earplugs required with all the noise if using a Vitamix). I waited a long time to get our Vitamix because of its expense, but heavens I wish I could have splurged on it lots sooner based on our daily use of it. Great tool and so nice that refurbished options are available from the family owned Vitamix Company. We have more than gotten our money's worth out of it and then some! Okay - back to how I mix Mama J's smoothie up -- I first run it through Vitamix's pre-programmed smoothie setting.
As you tweak this smoothie to your liking, it will, of course, look a bit different each time. The photo above is obviously one taken before I packed in the ice cubes on top.
•While the pre-programmed mixing is doing its thing, I gently tap the Vitamix Tamper up and down until the smoothie is rotating good on its own. Once it is, I take the tamper out and put the center cover piece back in place while I let it blend for a bit longer.
•After the pre-set smoothie blending stops, I manually blend it a bit longer starting around 4 on a Vitamix and easing up to full 10 speed. I watch it closely at this point to keep it is mixed well but still very thick. Personally, I prefer smoothies with a thick milk shake-like consistency for most smoothie recipes.
•I refrigerate any extra cups of the smoothie (well sealed) for up to 2 days at most. When I drink the leftovers, I stir them up first and they still taste dang good for a leftover smoothie. Just remember to stir it up just before drinking and enjoy! Have an extra throw blanket close by too in case you like add as much ice as I prefer - there is definitely a chill effect after a few minutes of delicious sipping.
P. S. I also absolutely LOVE our new "The Beast" for one helping servings of our smoothies. It's also fantastic for mixing up salad dressings, nut butters, vegan mayo and so much more. If interested, please check out my video about it: https://nbjconsulting.com/my-favorite-blenders/
INGREDIENTS (listed in order recommended for putting into a Vitamix)
•2 cups Plain Unsweetened Almond Milk (or try if with other nondairy milks)
•1/2+ tb Ground Flax Seed
•2 heaping tbs Old Fashion Rolled Oats (regular or gluten free) (love Bob's Red Mill brand)
•1/2 to 1 tb Organic Chia Seeds
•1/2 to 1 tb Organic Hemp Heart Seeds
•2 - 4 Heaping tbs PB2 Peanut Butter Powder (could substitute your favorite peanut butter or almond butter (the peanut butter powder has far fewer calories and the end result tastes the same although consistency with regular nut butters would, of course, be thicker)
•2 Heaping Scoops Chocolate Protein Powder or a good pea protein powder perhaps with cacao added to taste. Often, I use a bit less chocolate protein powder and add a heaping tablespoon of raw organic cacao.
After reseaching for the least processed protein poweders, I have recently been using PureFoods.com chocolate (organic raw cacao) plant based protein powder with probiotics.) My previous go to was Sunwarrior's Chocolate Protein Powder and one of our sons like to also add a tablespoon+ of Hershey's Special Edition Cocoa powder to taste as well. I do not like that addition and haven't tried it with Cacao yet, but bet it's good too.)
•BIG! Handful or two of raw kale (I use frozen kale)
•BIG! Handful or two of raw baby spinach
•1 Banana in pieces
•1/2 or less of an organic apple of choice (cut up and optional)
•About 5-8 Organic Walnuts (optional)
•Handful Frozen Organic Blueberries
•3- 5 Frozen Organic Strawberries (depending on size)
•Ice - After mashing it all down gently to create more room and then fill w/ice to very tip top, blend and enjoy!
FEEDBACK & OTHER RECIPES APPRECIATED!
Please let me know if you try this recipe and what you think about it in the comment section below. Other questions or recipes you'd like me to try out and then share on my website?? Just let me know through our general contact page---yep one more and the last one I promise --- by clicking here.
As always, thanks for sharing a bit of your day visiting NBJConsulting.
