This is probably one of my all time favourite smoothies. I've been indulging with this first thing each morning for the last week and i feel fantastic - a combination of coconut water and meat and hemp seeds, with the added flavour of mesquite or lucuma, dates, vanilla and cinnamon.
A combination of protein and healthy fats first thing in the morning gives you more sustainable and long lasting energy throughout the day, whilst keeping your fuller for longer, helping to curb food cravings. Sugars and carbs gives you a quick energy boost but the feeling soon passes as your insulin spikes leaving you feeling hungry again.
A study from the University of Alabama said that "The researchers believe that a fat-rich breakfast somehow allows the eater to have a certain degree of adaptability and can adjust more easily to the dietary mix we tend to consume during the day, making it easier for us to burn both carbs and fat. In contrast, a high-carb breakfast seems to make it easier to burn carbs for the rest of the day but does not prime your body to burn fat as well."
A combination of protein and healthy fats first thing in the morning gives you more sustainable and long lasting energy throughout the day, whilst keeping your fuller for longer, helping to curb food cravings. Sugars and carbs gives you a quick energy boost but the feeling soon passes as your insulin spikes leaving you feeling hungry again.
A study from the University of Alabama said that "The researchers believe that a fat-rich breakfast somehow allows the eater to have a certain degree of adaptability and can adjust more easily to the dietary mix we tend to consume during the day, making it easier for us to burn both carbs and fat. In contrast, a high-carb breakfast seems to make it easier to burn carbs for the rest of the day but does not prime your body to burn fat as well."
Coconuts are one of the most amazing food sources to be found; they are highly nutritious - rich in minerals, fiber and vitamins, contains healthy fats which improves heart health as well as contains antibacterial, anti-oxidizing and antiviral properties, therefore boosting the immune system. The water is one of the best sources of natural electrolytes, being potassium rich, perfect for hydration. Coconuts contain one of the healthiest oils on earth, the meat contains medium fatty chain acids which are broken down faster and also helps to reduce cholesterol levels. It also contains high level of manganese, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels as well as synthesize fats and proteins, balancing moods and increasing your capacity to overcome stress.
Hemp seeds are a protein superfood, they are a complete vegetable protein source that contains all 8 essential amino acids which are easily digestible, and then relative absence of sugar, starches and saturated fats makes it optimal for health and wellbeing, encourage weight loss, increasing energy and act as a natural blood sugar control. It's a great combination of protein and fats, packed full of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which promote beautiful skin , reducing inflammation and boosting moods. These smooth nutty flavoured seeds are a natural source of vitamins and minerals such as folate, iron, calcium and Vitamin E.
I alter using mesquite and lucuma, or sometimes both. Both are superfoods. Mesquite comes from South America and is a staple food used for centuries by desert dwellers. This leguminous plant contains good quantities of magnesium, potassium, zinc and calcium, and being a slight nutty flavour goes well with cacao and hemp. It has a low GI so it helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, keep hormones balanced and increases energy levels.
Lucuma is an Peruvian fruit known as the "Gold of the Incas" has amazing nutritional benefits. It has a beautiful caramel creamy flavour and is excellent for a sweetener with the added benefits of having a low GI. It's an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates, being high in iron and beta-carotene. This superfood assists with the immune system, improves blood circulation, is anti-inflammatory and aids in complexion as it has anti-ageing skin repair effects.
All these ingredients combined together makes the perfect powerhouse protein shake first thing in the morning. The vanilla, date and cinnamon turns it into a delicious dessert like guilt free treat, and what's a better way to start your day?!
Hemp seeds are a protein superfood, they are a complete vegetable protein source that contains all 8 essential amino acids which are easily digestible, and then relative absence of sugar, starches and saturated fats makes it optimal for health and wellbeing, encourage weight loss, increasing energy and act as a natural blood sugar control. It's a great combination of protein and fats, packed full of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which promote beautiful skin , reducing inflammation and boosting moods. These smooth nutty flavoured seeds are a natural source of vitamins and minerals such as folate, iron, calcium and Vitamin E.
I alter using mesquite and lucuma, or sometimes both. Both are superfoods. Mesquite comes from South America and is a staple food used for centuries by desert dwellers. This leguminous plant contains good quantities of magnesium, potassium, zinc and calcium, and being a slight nutty flavour goes well with cacao and hemp. It has a low GI so it helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, keep hormones balanced and increases energy levels.
Lucuma is an Peruvian fruit known as the "Gold of the Incas" has amazing nutritional benefits. It has a beautiful caramel creamy flavour and is excellent for a sweetener with the added benefits of having a low GI. It's an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates, being high in iron and beta-carotene. This superfood assists with the immune system, improves blood circulation, is anti-inflammatory and aids in complexion as it has anti-ageing skin repair effects.
All these ingredients combined together makes the perfect powerhouse protein shake first thing in the morning. The vanilla, date and cinnamon turns it into a delicious dessert like guilt free treat, and what's a better way to start your day?!
Coconut Protein Vanilla Smoothie
1 coconut (meat and water)
2 TBS hemp seeds
1 medijool date
1 tsp lucuma or mesquite
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla powder
1 coconut (meat and water)
2 TBS hemp seeds
1 medijool date
1 tsp lucuma or mesquite
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla powder
1. Blend everything together on high and enjoy!
* You can always add spinach or kale for a green hit too
* You can always add spinach or kale for a green hit too
