Wakeup Matcha Green Smoothie
My Wakeup Matcha Green Smoothie is definitely one of my wildest smoothies yet. This one might actually even be my most nutritional! This recipe has all of the makings of a great energizing green smoothie. Banana, nut milk, coconut oil, some Vitamin C-rich lime juice, spinach – but we’re not stopping there. This smoothie also contains some fun new ingredients. I’m talking matcha for antioxidants and morning focus, cilantro, and my secret protein-packed ingredient – cricket powder! You heard me right!
https://youtube.com/shorts/Rf2ljXe6wEI
Grab the full recipe below if you’re brave enough to try it, and keep scrolling to read all about why this smoothie might be my most nutritional yet. Hint: Cricket powder is 100% a superfood!
Wakeup Matcha Green Smoothie Recipe
gluten-free & dairy-free
Prep time: 5 minutes | Serves: 1
Ingredients
- 1/2 banana, sliced
- 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
- 1 handful of baby spinach
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro
- 1/4 lime, juiced and zested
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp cricket powder
- 1 tbsp matcha powder
- 1 cup nut milk
Directions:
- Place all of the matcha green smoothie ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
NOTE: If you don’t like cilantro use parsley. If you are not sure about cricket powder or it does not align with your lifestyle, use 1 tbsp hemp seeds.
Health Benefits of Spinach
I love spinach! Spinach is such a soft green, which makes it perfect for blending into drinks like this energizing matcha green smoothie! You can generally buy big bags or boxes at the store, and it’s often a cheaper alternative to kale or bundled greens. Like kale, spinach has some amazing health benefits.
- Spinach has been labelled a “functional food”, meaning it has a wide variety of nutritional components beyond just vitamins and minerals.
- It contains bioactive and phytochemicals that prevent oxidative damage, control the activity of genes that are involved in metabolism and inflammation, as well, they promote the feeling of satiety to prevent overeating.
- Spinach has been found to have anti-cancer, anti-obesity, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic properties.
- It contains high amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, folic acid, and fibre. It is also a great source of vegetarian iron and calcium.
Health Benefits of Cricket Powder
I know, this is a different ingredient, but hear me out. Humans have been eating insects since ancient times. That’s because insects are an easy protein. It would certainly have been easier to scavenge for insects than it would have been to hunt an animal prior to the Neolithic Revolution (agriculture). Animals ate bugs, so why couldn’t we?
Insects are still consumed in many places like Africa, Asia, and Latin America. But recently in the 2010s, cricket powder/flour was invented, and it became mainstream in North America. Basically, this cricket powder is crickets, ground into a fine powder. It can be used as a flour alternative, or as a nutritional supplement like we are in this smoothie.
Crickets and cricket powder have a plethora of health benefits such as:
- They’re high in protein and poly-unsaturated fats (these are the essential fats our body needs).
- Crickets contain a ton of minerals, specifically calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, zinc, manganese, and copper.
- Not only do they contain tons of minerals, but their vitamin profile is also amazing! Crickets contain B vitamins, as well as vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. That’s what I call a superfood!
Health Benefits of Matcha
Matcha was discovered by a Buddhist monk named Myoan Eisai and was brought to Japan in the 12th century. Matcha is a tea made from dried, powdered leaves and it is used widely all over the globe. The process in which matcha leaves are grown creates a superfood tea containing theanine, caffeine, chlorophyll, and types of catechins (antioxidants). Let’s take a deeper look at the health benefits of this delicious green tea!
- The caffeine chlorophyll, Vitamin C, and catechins in matcha create an incredibly powerful blend of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Phenolic acids prevent cancers from growing within cells.
- Rutin (a very strong antioxidant) helps to strengthen blood vessels, thus protecting the cardiovascular system. It also has anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Quercetin protects the nervous system and improves insulin sensitivity, reducing the risk of diabetes.
- Theanine combined with caffeine help to improve focus and relieve stress.
Take Your Team From Winter Blues to Giddy in Green (or Pink)
This energizing matcha green smoothie is a dream, and right now I’m all about embracing green! In the winter, it can feel like all we’re eating is comfort foods. Brown, white, and beige are the colours of comfort. But I’m here to give you and your team what you’ve all been craving this season – COLOUR!
I’m talking about two of my favourites, pink and green! Not only will these colours brighten up a dreary winter meal but they’ll give you a healthy dose of nutrients too!
Join me for my Eat And Drink Your Greens Virtual Cooking Class where together we’ll boost our energy. In this cooking class, we’ll make a Winter Kale Salad and Spiced Pear Green Smoothie. These dishes give you a double dose of greens to get you through the day. Have the smoothie at breakfast and salad for dinner to guarantee you get the most out of these hearty, healthy greens.
Or if green isn’t quite your colour, my UnBEETable Detox Virtual Cooking Class is a pretty in pink choice! During this cooking class, we embrace the amazing liver detox properties of beets. We’ll be using primarily the red bulb that is commonly found in most grocery stores. Together we’ll make a Roasted Beet Hummus and a Kale Beet Salad. Yum!
I’m so excited to bring your team into my kitchen for these healthy virtual cooking classes. These classes are an awesome way to engage your team and boost morale in the office after the holidays! Let’s start the year off on a healthy, delicious note, together!
Email info@jesselanewellness.com for additional information and pricing.
Holistic In The City: 21-Day Smoothie Guide
If you’re feeling intimidated by the idea of making complex smoothies, don’t be! My Holistic In The City: 21-Day Smoothie Guide is the perfect thing to have on hand to make sure your smoothies are always perfection!
Holistic in The City: 21-Day Smoothie Guide contains:
- 21 delicious smoothie recipes made with love by 7 Holistic Nutritionists
- Recipes using a wide variety of whole food ingredients and superfoods that nourish your body giving you the essential nutrients you need to shine
- Our Ultimate Smoothie Formula so you can create your own balanced smoothie recipes
- The answer to the age-old debate of juicing vs smoothies
- How to buy a healthy protein powder
- Vibrant pictures to go with each smoothie
Stop making smoothie mistakes, start making delicious, healthy, perfectly balanced beverages that you can enjoy all year round! Grab your digital copy here!
Easy Energizing Green Smoothie Recipe Roundup
Minty Fresh Green Smoothie
This Minty Fresh Green Smoothie is so hydrating for these harsh winters! It’s filled with honeydew melon and cucumber to keep you feeling fresh as a daisy, but also ½ an avocado for a creamy texture that will keep you cosy. That avocado, along with protein-packed chia seeds, also contains tons of healthy fats to keep you feeling full and satisfied!
Protein Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie
This Protein Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie is the perfect way to enjoy dessert for breakfast. Peanut Butter Cups are probably my favourite candy, so I turned them into a smoothie! This filling smoothie has two secret ingredients: spinach to add energizing iron and white beans for fibre and protein. Though they may seem odd to add to a smoothie, don’t worry, you can’t taste either of them. I usually add protein powder to my smoothies but I didn’t need to this time!
Hot Apple Cider Smoothie
My Hot Apple Cider Smoothie is the perfect winter smoothie! It’s warm and comforting and is an excellent way to detox after the holiday season. I sweetened this smoothie with apples and added ginger and cinnamon for spice. You won’t be able to taste the spinach but it adds vitamin and mineral-packed green goodness. Hot Apple Cider Smoothie is gluten-free, paleo and vegan – even your kids will love this one!