Recipe: Morning energizer smoothie

We always hear that breakfast is the most important meal of the day! But why? When we wake up our bodies are pretty much running on empty. We haven’t eaten for an extended period of time and essentially fasted for the hours that we have been asleep. We can’t possibly perform to our highest potential both physically and or mentally if our body is lacking the fuel that it needs to operate.

Shake up your wake up with this energizing and muscle repair smoothie! This smoothie not only provides the energy needed to kick-start your action packed day, but it is an important source of nutrients that will help repair your muscles adequately repair and rebuild from previous physical activity.

Ingredients:
10 oz of Almond milk
1 Banana
¼ cup of almonds
30 ml of espresso
5 Dates
1 scoop of Protein powder (we used chocolate)

What are the ingredients good for and how will they energize my morning and repair my muscles?

Espresso – The caffeine found in coffee is not only a great way to boost your energy levels but it has the ability to alert and improve your concentration. It also increases your cognitive function and can improve your physical performance. On top of this coffee is an excellent source of antioxidants, which fight free radical cells that damage our healthy cells within the body.

Dates – are loaded with fiber primarily insoluble fiber that binds to fat and cholesterol and carries it out of the body. Reducing triglyceride levels lowers the risk of hardening of the arteries and heart attack.

Banana – high levels of potassium that is necessary for good nerve and muscle function. The Vitamin C present in bananas boosts your immune system and cell health and improves the absorption of other nutrients, ensuring you get the most out of all of your foods.

Almonds - Almonds have very high levels of protein, and contain energy-boosting manganese and copper, which limit the free radicals that can hinder mitochondria.

Protein – when we complete physical activities, muscle tissues are torn and must be rebuilt for muscle development. Protein is the building block for our muscles and is required to correctly heal these micro-tears. In the form of liquid, protein enters the bloodstream much faster and thus speeds up your recovery time.