A sweet treat nutrient dense drink for winter

If you’re like me and you just love all things Christmas, especially the festive season’s treats, then this sweet little superfood smoothie will be right up your street.

Inspired by the great British seasonal classic; the Christmas cake, this Kefir smoothie is packed full of fruit, nuts and spices just like its cakier counterpart. But unlike its much denser and sweeter cousin, this smoothies onus is on filling you with nutrient rich antioxidants and flavonoids rather than just fat and refined sugar.

It is worth bearing in mind however that whilst the sweetness of this recipe comes from health promoting ingredients, it isn’t to be drunk by the gallon as you will still get a natural sugar spike off its consumption and it’s not the lightest on calories. Perfect as a fuel release pre training, or in a smaller quantity as a healthier sweet treat alternative.

 Shopping list:

• Approx 150 ml kefir

• Approx 200 ml almond Milk

• Handful of almonds

• Handful of dried cranberries

• Handful of sultanas

• Teaspoon of organic cacao powder

• Teaspoon of maca powder

• 2 – 4 cubes dark chocolate (optional)

• Handful of oats

• Sprinkle to taste of cinnamon, cloves & nutmeg powder

 

Health Benefits:

• Kefir

Healthy Cow 4 Bottles of 500ml Cows Milk Kefir, with 28 Approved Health Benefits.

A probiotic that promotes a healthy gut biome through populating it with good bacteria, and also a source of protein.

• Almond Milk

Oatly Original Oat Drink 1 Litre (Pack of 6)
Packed full of vitamin E, an important antioxidant which helps maintain healthy eyes and skin, as well as supporting the immune system. Also a great non dairy source of calcium.

• Whole Almonds

RealFoodSource Almonds, Whole & Natural (1kg)
As well as the aforementioned calcium and vitamin E; whole almonds are also a great source of protein and fibre and B vitamins, especially folate and biotin (vitamin B7). Almonds also contain the minerals selenium, zinc, calcium, magnesium.

• Dried cranberries

Dried Cranberries, 500 g
The addition of these antioxidant and fibrous packed red fruits, will add a tartness to the smoothie. Known for helping with urinary tract infections, studies are also showing that cranberries could positively affect your gut biome.

• Sultanas

Sultanas 1kg
High in natural sugars, the addition of a small handful of phytonutrient crammed raisins or sultanas are a great way to add sweetness to any dish. Eaten in moderation they can aid digestion and help to boost your iron levels. Athletes can use them as a quick source of carbohydrate for endurance.

• Organic cacao powder

Naturya | Organic Peruvian Cacao Powder 250g | Certified Organic, Fair Trade, Vegan & Kosher Superfood | Balances your mood and boosts energy
A nutrient dense superfood full of magnesium,potassium, and iron along with a whole range of antioxidants, Cacao is also known to have mood lifting properties. If possible use the raw organic cacao, which can contain up to 90% more antioxidants than a cacao that has gone through “Dutch processing”. 

• Maca powder

Sevenhills Wholefoods Organic Maca Powder 500g
The claimed benefits of this Peruvian cruciferous vegetable are still under investigation but could include; reducing blood pressure and depression, especially in menopausal women, as well as potentially having neuroprotective properties. It’s taste is a little bit like Horlics.

• Dark chocolate 

Montezuma’s 73% Cocoa Very Dark Chocolate Organic 100 g (Pack of 4)
Arguably not as healthy as unrefined cacao due to its high fat content and less pure cacao content, dark chocolate is however still crammed full of all the health promoting benefits of its purer powdered form.

• Oats

Organic Jumbo Rolled Oats Waitrose 1kg
A fantastic digestive aid, oats increase the viscosity of our digestive tract contents; meaning that food slows down to an optimal flow through our upper digestive tract, which in turn helps to regulate blood sugars and energy levels.

• Spices such as cinnamon, cloves & nutmeg powder

Steenbergs Organic Storecupboard Spice and Herbs Gift Set
The addition of a pinch of spice to your smoothie rockets the nutritional value of it up tenfold. Choose or combine your favourite spices of choice and enjoy their super health promoting benefits.