Santa Barbara SUPER Smoothie

Just one of the many things

I like about Santa Barbara

is the community focus on healthy living.

In the Santa Barbara area

there is access to a Farmer's Market

every day of the week.

 The schools also promote healthy lunches, etc.

I have three teenagers at home.

When they are getting ready for school,

our home is a BUSY place!

While they are focusing on others things,

I am trying to ensure that they do not

leave the house until they've had a healthy breakfast.

It is not easy.

Enter my creation:  the "Santa Barbara Super Smoothie"

The kids love the smoothies I make.

They taste like dessert in a cup -

but the smoothie is full of healthy stuff.

 

 The most important ingredient is

PROTEIN!

I always make sure to add some protein powder

to give my kids sustained energy while they're at school.

I use one that is flavorless.

Flavorless psyllium is the next critical addition.

This is a great source of natural fiber -

which means it helps my kids feel full

(and has other health benefits).

I got the idea of adding psyllium from Dr. Oz.

A big splash of flax oil is the final "secret"

ingredient for the "Santa Barbara SUPER Smoothie".

It is a great source of Omega-3,

which provides countless health benefits!

Now... on to the fun part!

First, I always add a fresh banana

in order to give the smoothie a thicker consistency.

Then, I add a variety of frozen fruit.

Typically, I buy a frozen berry mix & frozen pineapple chunks.

Sometimes, I will add frozen mango.

This is the FLAVOR!

Then, I add a few scoops of nonfat, plain yogurt

(for thickness and more protein),

and I finish it off with orange juice.

 All of these items are placed in my Ninja Blender

and I blend until smooth.

VOILA! 

All of this is super fast.

My kids love it and I know they are going to school

with a healthy breakfast.

Au Revoir,

Michelle