The post Interesting Ingredients You Can Add to Smoothies appeared first on The Belden-Stratford Blog.
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Smoothies are a great way to start the day. After all, they say breakfast is the most important meal; however, if you're like many of the residents of our Chicago, Illinois, apartments, mornings are rushed and you may feel like you don't have enough time to give your body the nourishment it needs. Fear not! We've done some digging to come up with smoothie recipes that incorporate tons of good ingredients your body will love.
1. Cereal
We're not saying you should add Cocoa Puffs and Lucky Charms to your smoothies, but there are some cereals that contain a lot of nutritional value, particularly fiber. This Chocolate Nutty Weetbix Smoothie recipe contains a cereal you might not find here in the U.S., but you can easily substitute Kashi or any other whole-grain cereal. The rest of the ingredients are a combination of peanut buttery, chocolatey goodness that'll make you want a second helping.
2. Green Tea
Green tea stands alone when it comes to ingredients that deliver healthy influences to our bodies, but what happens if you mix it with delicious fruits and toss it into a blender? It becomes a magical concoction that will lift your spirits and fight dark circles. Try this Dark Eye Circle Smoothie if you didn't sleep well the night before; the combination of herbs and antioxidants will perk you right up.
3. Cauliflower
Packed with antioxidants, B vitamins, potassium and fiber, cauliflower is an often-forgotten superfood. Since it's white, it doesn't impact the beautiful colors that tend to form when great smoothies are created, and its flavor can easily be masked by fruits and veggies when you combine everything into the blender. This Blueberry Cauliflower Smoothie brings veggies and fruits together in perfect harmony.
4. Lavender
Lavender is known for its relaxing properties. It's been shown to relieve symptoms associated with insomnia, anxiety, and depression. If you're looking for an after-dinner milkshake, save the bad calories for another day and sip on a Blueberry Lavender Stress Relief Smoothie.
A great smoothie starts with a great kitchen. The Belden-Stratford is proud to provide our residents with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and outstanding views of the city. Stop by so we can show you around!
The post Interesting Ingredients You Can Add to Smoothies appeared first on The Belden-Stratford Blog.
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Every morning, young professionals run out of their apartments in Chicago without taking the time to eat a nourishing breakfast first. What's worse, it's unlikely that they are getting all the nutrition they need throughout the day. A recent report from the CDC says nine out of ten adults don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. Luckily, both problems can be solved by making a breakfast smoothie part of your routine.
Easy Keys to Healthy Smoothies
As most people know, calling something a smoothie doesn't automatically make it healthy. Many commercial smoothies are laden with hidden sugar and fat. But, by making your own at home, you can control the ingredients and get a healthy start to your day.
- Start with frozen fruit. Add 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of fruit to the blender. By starting with fruit that's already frozen, you don't need to worry about diluting with ice.
- Add one cup low-fat and low-sugar liquid. This can take the form of no-sugar-added fruit juice, dairy or almond milk, or plain, non-fat yogurt.
- Blend in some protein and fiber. These ingredients will make a smoothie more filling and help tide you over through the morning. Peanut butter, nuts, rolled oats and chia seeds are all popular. Use anything from a tablespoon to a 1/4 cup depending on the ingredient and its calorie count.
- Add an optional vegetable nutrition booster. Popular choices include common ingredients like spinach and kale to more unusual additives like spirulina.
By choosing from a list of potential ingredients instead of working from set-in-stone recipes, you can vary your smoothie each day to keep your breakfast choice interesting. The master smoothie also means you can customize based on the best fruits and vegetables you find in the market, as well as ingredients you need to use up. Each smoothie takes just a few minutes and helps you start the day in a healthier way.
Are you looking for a community that fits your healthy and active lifestyle? The Beldon-Stratford offers amenities like complimentary bike storage, outdoor grilling spaces, 24-hour health and fitness center and more. Make an appointment for a tour today.
The post Breakfast Smoothie Recipe appeared first on The Belden-Stratford Blog.
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