I don’t always feel like cooking. I’m guessing you don’t either. When you’re just too tired to fire up the stove or oven, try a smoothie. Smoothies are a Brain Warrior’s “fast food.” They’re quick, easy, nourishing, and hydrating. Don’t forget, your brain is 80 percent water and proper hydration is one of the keys to optimal brain performance.
Forget commercial smoothies. They’re juice-filled sugar bombs that are often made with fruit soaked in syrup—yuck! The following Brain Warrior-approved smoothies are loaded with micronutrients, healthy fat, and protein to feed your brain, increase focus and energy, and keep you feeling full for hours.
Here are three of my favorite smoothies to keep you feeling refreshed.
Super-Focus Smoothie
Ingredients:
24 ounces iced green tea
1 large green apple, cored and quartered
2 scoops vanilla protein powder* (plant based, sugar free)
2 cups spinach
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons flax or hemp seeds
1 cup ice, approximately
Optional:
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (really revs the metabolism)
5-10 drops liquid stevia (vanilla flavored)
1 teaspoon freeze-dried greens (or use scoop included with greens)
Superfoods: 1 tablespoon acai or goji powder
Preparation:
Blend all ingredients in a high-powered blender until smooth. Divide evenly between two glasses. Serve cold.
Coconut Berry Cooler
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen organic blueberries or blackberries
2 cups spinach or kale
2 scoops protein powder (chocolate or vanilla, plant based, sugar free)
2 tablespoons coconut butter (or coconut oil, but it doesn’t taste the same)
2 tablespoons chia seeds or flax seeds (flax meal is better)
24-30 ounces cold water
Optional:
1 cup ice, approximately
5-10 drops liquid stevia (chocolate, vanilla or berry flavored)
1 teaspoon freeze-dried greens (or use scoop included with greens)
Superfoods: 1 tablespoon acai or goji powder
Preparation:
Blend all ingredients in a high-powered blender until smooth. Divide evenly between two glasses. Serve cold.
Peachy Keen Chia Chiller
Ingredients:
1 fresh peach or 1 cup frozen peach slices
2 tablespoons chia seeds
½ cup light coconut milk
2 cups spinach or chard leaves
2 scoops vanilla protein powder* (plant based, sugar free)
1 cup ice, approximately
24-30 ounces cold water (or replace half with unsweetened almond milk)
Optional Ingredients
½ cup plain coconut milk yogurt or goat milk yogurt
5-10 drops liquid stevia (vanilla flavored)
1 teaspoon freeze-dried greens (or use scoop included with greens)
Superfoods: 1 tablespoon maca powder
Preparation:
Blend all ingredients in a high-powered blender until smooth. Divide evenly between two glasses. Serve cold.
For more smoothie recipes, plus over 100 additional Brain Warrior recipes, check out the Brain Warrior’s Way Cookbook* and my online recipes.
