Afternoon Power-Up Smoothie

Pregnancy is a game of get as many nutrients in, and minimise your output so all that energy can be directed towards growing your baby. Most mamas, by the time they hit 4pm, are ready to check out, simply because they’ve spent their energy already. That’s why it’s so important that we use every meal as an opportunity to put petrol in the tank.

This smoothie tastes super yum, is sweet to fulfil those mid-afternoon sugar cravings, and is full of nutrition, to power you up for the rest of the afternoon. You can also have it mid-morning, especially if your blood sugars are crashing and you’re struggling to make it to lunch time without coffee and a chocolate bar.

If greens in your smoothie is just one step to far, don’t hesitate to leave them out. But the berries and banana in this smoothie will make it taste sweet and delicious, so while it will be green to look at you won’t taste the spinach at all. Yet your body will soak up the alkalinising benefit, as well as all the vitamins and minerals.

Power-Up Smoothie

1 big serving

Ingredients:

1/2 banana (frozen will make the smoothie creamier)

3/4 cup of mixed berries (frozen is fine)

1T chia seeds

1T flaxseeds

1 cup of almond milk (try Nutty Bruce activated almond milk from the fresh section of your health food shop or supermarket)

1/2 cup of leafy greens (whatever you have on hand, the easiest choices being spinach, kale, rocket, watercress)

1 tsp green powder of your choice (our favourite is The Synergy Company Superfood Powder, or spirilina, blue and green algae or even chlorella if you’re really looking to clean out your system)

1 T protein plant based protein powder (our favourites include Hemp Farm Organic Hemp Protein Powder or the Nutra Organics Hemp Protein either Beauty Berries or Creamy Vanilla)

1 T of extra virgin coconut oil, flaxseed oil or hemp seed oil

1/2 cup of water or more to get to the desired texture. If you soak your flaxseed and chia seed just add this water to the blender initially. If you need more water to get the desired consistency, start slowly, adding 1T at a time.

Add ice if you prefer it colder.

Directions:

1. If possible soak the chia seeds and the flaxseeds in 1/2 cup of water for at least two hours. If this is too hard, don’t worry, mix your smoothie and allow it to stand for 15mins before drinking.

2. Add the chia seeds and flaxseeds in their water to the blender along with all the other ingredients.

3. Blend on high for 30 seconds or until you have reached the desired consistency.