If you follow me on Instagram you’ll know that we drink a lot of smoothies in our house. The second the kids walk in the door after school I usually have one on the go to re-fuel my tired little monkeys after their long and draining day. There are a few things that go into these smoothies more often than not; frozen banana, frozen berries (either ones I’ve bought in summer and frozen myself, locally grown or organic ones), homemade milk kefir (which we tolerate as it’s lactose-free) or almond milk and a scoop or two of vanilla pea protein powder to ensure the kids get filled up to the brim.
There’s also a few other sneaky little things I sometimes chuck in the mix when that boy of mine is not looking. (Ada’s fine with everything, bless her little adventurous soul). Often soaked chia seeds and a couple of Brazil nuts go in (cashews or macadamia nuts are good too), sometimes half an avocado or a dollop of virgin coconut oil goes in and once- I even chucked in a whole peeled raw beetroot. Sadly he pulled me up on that one and I now only make those smoothies for myself. See sometimes it backfires on you when you’re kids are well educated on different foods and flavours! Ha! Ah well, it was worth a shot though right? Thankfully most days he doesn’t even know half of what he’s slurping up happily every afternoon.
So while this may seem like a simple little smoothie recipe, there’s a lot of goodness going on in there. Chia seeds add a beautiful creamy texture while also delivering a hefty load of omega’s (3 + 6), protein, iron and calcium. Most people tend to just chuck a spoonful of raw chia seeds into their smoothies, but you’ll see below that I prefer to use soaked ones. The reason being that if you just chuck them in raw, your smoothie (given a few minutes to sit) will thicken up a great deal and you’ll need a spoon, not a straw (not always a bad thing, I know). But most importantly I soak chia seeds for at least 30 minutes before eating otherwise you run the risk of those little seeds acting like a sponge in your gut, soaking up liquids and possibly leaving you, ahem, clogged up. I always have pre-soaked chia seeds in the fridge as Ada eats chia pudding for breakfast most mornings anyway. You can also mix up a large batch and store it in the fridge for up to 4-5 days to use in your smoothies throughout the week if that makes life easier. Brazil nuts are rich in selenium and only 2 nuts per day will give you your daily quota. All of us will happily munch on them daily, except the boy. So sneaking them into his daily smoothie is a great little mum trick to make sure he’s benefiting also.
As many of you may already know, I’m flying out to the States tonight to attend the Saveur Food Blog Awards in Vegas! I’ve decided to take a little time off blogging while I’m away, so I can just enjoy this once-in-a-life-time-opportunity and really soak it all up. Also, if I’m being completly honest, the past few months have been mega-hectic and I could really do with a little time off, from everything. This will be my first proper holiday since well before having kids, nearly 8 years ago now! That said I’m sure I’ll still be posting stuff daily on Instagram, so pop on over there if you wanna see some snaps from my time in Vegas and San Francisco! And wish me luck coping with being away from my babies for that long. I miss them already. xx
Vegan blueberry power smoothie
This makes enough for one large serve, but by all means double or triple things up to feed a crowd. I buy this protein power, which can be found in most health food or vitamin stores here in Australia. If your budget allows I recommend you always buy locally grown or organic frozen berries. Most of the cheap ones you’ll find at your supermarket come from as far away as Chile or China and who knows whats on them. To make the swirls I just blend a small handful of defrosted frozen blueberries with a touch of brown rice syrup (you could use honey).
Per serve…
1 tablespoon chia seeds (either colour) mixed with 3 tablespoons almond milk, mixed to combine + left 30 minutes until gel-like.
1 cup almond milk (preferably homemade)
1 frozen banana, chopped into chunks
1/2 cup frozen blueberries (preferably locally grown or organic)
1-2 heaped tablespoons vanilla pea protein powder
4 Brazil nuts
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Whizz everything in your blender until smooth and creamy and serve right away. Makes approx. 600ml.
34 Responses
So pretty and such a perfect snack or breakfast! Have a great time in Vegas, you DESERVE it!
Thanks so much Tieghan! xx
Love smoothies here too. I am wondering two things – do you think protein powders such as the Vital Pea Protein (which we have in our house) is suitable for a 2 year old? And also how long does home made almond milk last in the fridge? Thank you for a wonderful blog. It has helped us tremendously as we have a dairy free toddler!
Oh that's so great to hear my blog has helped you guys! I'm no expert but I don't see why pea protein powder would be harmful to a 2 year old. Maybe contact the manufacturer just to be sure if you like? Homemade almond milk should last 3-4 days in the fridge.
xx
This smoothie is just breathtaking — it has so much goodness packed into it and just looks SO delicious and refreshing. Perfect since it's just been warming up here. Need to try it ASAP. Can't wait to meet you, Emma!!!
Thanks love! See ya real soon! Weeeehaaaa! xx
Emma! Those swirls! Just gorgeous! Kid or not, this smoothie is going to be my afternoon treat today 🙂 Thanks for sharing x
You're welcome love xx
Gorgeous photos and flowers – look so good. You have a ball and enjoy the experience and being you again. At least technology now makes it easier to keep in touch with your family. All the best.
For sure, I'd be lost without Skype! Thanks for your well wishes, much love xx
I have just started appreciating the beauty of a smoothie for a light meal or snack. This looks delicious, and I will have to try that pea protein! Thanks Emm.
Smoothies are awesome huh? xx
Yum these look so damn tasty. Won't you make me an after work smoothie ….. please!!!
Haha. I would if I could xx p.s it's really easy to make yourself 😉 hehe
Looks so yum! Never really thought about that with chia seeds, thanks for the tip! Would you recommend soaking them as well when added into baked goods?
Nah I don't bother soaking them for the 30 minutes if using in baking. Just if I'm consumming them raw (in smoothies and puddings etc).
xx
Enjoy yourself lovely one!
Will do, thanks Liz! xx
Where can you get pea protein powder in NZ?
How gorgeous it this?! Love that pretty blueberry swirl tooo.
Smoothies are so great for packing in a load of nutrition aren't they? Thanks for the tip on the soaked chia.
Enjoy tonight!
Enjoy your time in Las Vegas. Perhaps you will land an American publisher while you are there.
Have a wonderful break sweetie! I'm sure your babies will miss you too- especially if they're missing out on such yummy smoothies 🙂 x
Have a wonderful, wonderful time in the US! I can't wait to follow along via twitter and instagram and I love knowing that so many of my favourite people are all in the same place. I love the beautiful colour of this smoothie – I'm pretty sure any child would happily drink it for that reason alone! xx
Have the best time in the States! Such a well-deserved accomplishment…
http://thatumamilife.wordpress.com – a clean eating bento blog. Japanese or Asian-inspired.
One of my favourite things to add to smoothies is avo. It makes them so creamy.
Sneaking those into healthy and yummy (but not super sugar-y) smoothies is key. When I was little my nanny used to always make us orange-beet-carrot juice and it was delicious/the only way we would eat beets. Sometimes its a texture thing and sometimes having acid/sweetness mellows out any more offensive flavors.
This is a gorgeous healthy recipe, and your pictures are really lovely!
Beautiful recipe and photos, I wish I could reach out and grab it right now. 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful time here in the US, safe travels!
That photo of your son slurping his Chia seeds (unbeknownst to him) is adorable. Digging this recipe, and have a blast in LV!
Aren't smoothies wonderfully versatile? I love that we can sneak goodness into them without our kids knowing..best mum trick ever!
Looks like you guys are having a blast in Vegas.
could this be more beautiful??
Looks so pretty and yummy. I just discovered the joy of frozen bananas in my smoothies and I'm in love. Looking forward to trying this one.
This looks so pretty and lovely ;D
I'm gonna sneak in a handful of spinach and have it for brekkie – have you got them drinking greens yet? They make the most unappealing brown sludge so I guess you might have to have him drink it blindfolded!
Funnily enough, my boy has LOVED green smoothies for years! He's more than happy to watch me pile greens into the blender… just not beetroot 😉 Ha!