Fresh blueberries, nutty cashew butter and a hint of cinnamon – yum!
Recipe: Blueberry Cashew Smoothie
With all that is going on in the world right now, we may not be able to find our usual grocery list of ingredients. I’ve run into this trouble myself and have decided to use this as a sign to try new things, flavours and activities. As the uncertainty around the world grows and as someone whose main responsibility in it all is to simply stay home as much as I can, I’m taking the time to be extra grateful for all that I have and to see the silver linings in my day.
After every low, there is always a high and we need to remind ourselves of this in order to keep us strong during these turbulent times. After all, what goes down, must come up, right? It’s no doubt that the entire situation is unsettling to say the least and can be especially tough on those that struggle with mental health. For me, that meant taking a few days to really process the situation and come to a stage of acceptance. It also meant I needed to be especially cognizant of my self care practices as well as re-crafting my work, exercise and meal routines while being sure to schedule in regular virtual social time with my friends and family. Not to mention, cooking and baking as much as I can!
Hence, this blueberry cashew smoothie was born! It has a hint of vanilla along with the sweet-tartness of the blueberries and nutty cashews while also giving you a good dose of antioxidants. I’ve also managed to sneak in a surprising hidden veggie…frozen zucchini!
I know, it sounds out of place but trust me, you can’t taste them at all and they really amp up the nutrient profile, fibre and creaminess of the smoothie!
So, let’s breakdown the key health ingredients here that will keep your body thriving and your taste buds happy:
Blueberries – high in antioxidants to fight inflammation and free radicals in the body.
Zucchini – a good source of magnesium and phosphorous which are both key nutrients for bone health!
Brazil Nuts – I’ve talked about these before, but they are worth mentioning again as they’re an often overlooked nut but are so jam packed with nutrients especially selenium – a powerful antioxidant and immune boosting mineral. Just one a day meets your daily selenium requirements!
So there you go! I hope you give this smoothie a try and love it as much as I do. If you do give it a try, please comment below to let me know or tag me on instagram at #happyhealthcc. I’d love to see your creations and how you’re keeping busy!
Recipe: Blueberry Cashew Smoothie
Gluten-free & dairy-free
Serves 1-2
Prep: 10 minutes
Yields ~16oz
Ingredients:
3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tbsp cashew butter
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
1 Medjool date (pitted)
1 Brazil nut (optional)
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup zucchini slices (frozen)*
To Make:
Add to a blender in the order listed and blend on high-speed until there are no visible ingredients and the smoothie is just combined. For a thicker smoothie consistency, try not to over blend.
Enjoy!
Notes: I like to buy extra zucchinis, slice them into semi-circles and freeze. It’s easiest to place them in a bag and lay it flat in the freezer overnight.