Honey Banana Smoothie

A Honey Banana Smoothie is mellow, healthy and refreshing. Try adding some or all of the Superfood ingredients for a nutrient boost, or drink it naked (the smoothie…not you…). 

When it starts getting hot out, smoothies sound so yummy. They’re cool, creamy, sweet and can pack a nutritional punch!

I love adding smoothies to my rotation, replacing some of my more boring snack choices. They can be quite filling and can power me until my next meal.

Although some of my smoothies can become quite green, I also like to try more mellow and traditional smoothies too. Since I realize you may freak out and head towards the door if I show you one of my giant green smoothies first thing, we’ll start on the mellow end.

Honey Banana Smoothies are so refreshing and have a subtly sweet taste. I love that they remind me of those classic childhood combos (honey and banana! Yes!).

I’ve included a list of Superfood Additions in the ingredients list. I will try to add a list like this to all of my future smoothie recipes too. It’s basically a list of things I would add, but that you don’t have to if you’re not feeling brave or if your pantry is looking particularly sparse. These Superfoods don’t necessarily change the taste of the smoothie, but they do add tons of nutritional benefits. I always like to add a protein powder option to my smoothies, boosting their protein levels and evening out their glycemic index a bit, but you don’t have to add it if you’re not comfortable with it (I now use Vega protein powders, which are natural and vegan, making them easier to digest for me. I tend towards their vanilla protein powder or their original Vega ONE powder, which both blend nicely into smoothies).

In this smoothie, the spinach will turn it green and add a vitamin one-two punch without tasting “green”; the bee pollen will help you ward off all of those pesky allergens that seem to be plaguing us this time of year; the chia seeds add omega fatty acids and additional thickeners to the smoothie; and the protein powder adds a bit more creaminess and some protein to balance the carbs. All good stuff.

And if you’re thinking ahead of the game, go ahead and freeze your bananas. I like to cut up bananas, adding ½ of a banana to each snack-size portion bag, and putting them into the freezer so they’re always ready for smoothies. Freezing them in halves makes it easier, since some recipes call for a ½ banana and some call for a whole. See, smart stuff.

Blend it all up and enjoy! You don’t have to have a powerful blender, but for the best results it really is preferable. I’m a smoothie addict and own a Vitamix, and it is the most wonderful thing in my kitchen (except for my pink mixer…and my dog when she’s under my feet in the kitchen…). I’d highly recommend it. Please feel free to leave a note in the comments section with which blender you own and how well it works for you so other people can have some recommendations!

Honey Banana Smoothie

2014-06-12 06:27:48

Honey Banana Smoothies combine your favorite childhood flavors, bananas and honey, into a refreshing, healthy snack. Try adding some or all of the Superfood ingredients for an extra nutrient boost, or try it plain. (makes one large smoothie)

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Ingredients

1. 2 Tbs. raw cashews
2. 1 Tbs. raw local honey
3. 1 Tbs. hemp seeds
4. ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
5. ¾ cup coconut water
6. 1 banana, cut into chunks and frozen
7. Ice
8. Superfood additions: spinach, 2 Tbs. – 1 scoop vanilla or plain protein powder (I use Vega), 1 tsp. chia seeds, ¼ tsp. bee pollen

Instructions

1. In the basin of your blender combine the cashews, honey, hemp seeds, almond milk and coconut water. Blend until smooth (giving the cashews extra blending time results in a creamier smoothie). Then, add the frozen banana and blend until smooth. If adding any Superfood Additions, add them now (I would add 1-2 handfuls of spinach, which blends into your smoothie and leaves no residual taste, just extra nutrients and a serving of leafy greens. I also added the rest of the Superfoods, resulting in the green smoothie in the picture). Finally, add as much ice as you want and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy!

By Melissa @ Treats With a Twist

Treats With a Twist https://www.treatswithatwist.com/