Energy Boosting Breakfast Shake
Shannon, my assistant, came strolling in last Tuesday with a very interesting looking drink in her hand. It was a sage green with a little purple hue. I asked her what was in it and was blown away with the level of nutrients that were in her glass! Chia seeds, young coconut water, hemp seeds, mango, banana and spirulina. Not expecting it to be that tasty, I asked for a sip. Boy was I wrong. It was delicious.
I am still working on easy raw, vegan breakfast recipes and I knew that I could turn this drink into a wonderful breakfast shake that can be made ahead! I incorporated a whole young coconut, meat and water, hemp seeds, chia seeds, and flax seeds. A couple of teaspoons of spirulina, some frozen mango, strawberries, and blueberries were also added. And the final topper that really popped the flavor, some fresh mint!
Nutritional Heavy Hitters:
- Flax: The number one whole food source of lignans which help fight cancer and prolong survival for cancer patients. They are also a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, and contain iron, zinc, copper, calcium, potassium and other much needed nutrients.
- Chia Seeds: Another great source of omega 3’s. They are loaded with protein, fiber and other antioxidants.
- Hemp Seeds: Even more omega 3’s healthily balanced with omega 6’s. They are another great source of fiber and protein. They also are high in GLA’s (gamma linolenic acid) which has been proven to help balance hormones.
- Spirulina: A blue green algae that provides protein and many antioxidants. It is a concentrated nutrition power house that is easily digested. Spirulina has 10x the beta carotene of carrots! It even contains B12.
- Young Coconut: More potassium than bananas, electrolytes, lauric acid, which is (antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal), coconuts are a great addition to your diet.
- Mango, Strawberries, Blueberries: Vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, phytochemicals, need I go on?
I have been making a batch of this energy boosting breakfast shake and freezing them in jelly jars! Take the jar out of the freezer and put it into the refrigerator the night before you want it for breakfast. It will ready to power up your day in the morning!
You can find out more about Shannon at Shensounds.com
Energy Boosting Breakfast Shake
serves 3-4
- 1 young Thai Coconut, meat and liquid
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 cup frozen mango
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon flax seeds
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 2 teaspoons spirulina
- 2 sprigs fresh mint (I used peppermint)
- Place coconut meat, coconut water and water in blender and blend until smooth.
- Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
*You can drink immediately or freeze and unthaw by placing in the refrigerator the night before you want to drink it. Make sure you leave a little space in the top of the container for expansion if you are going to freeze.
Alix wrote on August 7, 2015
Yummy….not fond of spirulina except this will be hidden well with all the other tasty ingredients -:).
Susan wrote on August 7, 2015
You are right, Alix, you can’t taste it at all! 🙂
Ellina wrote on August 7, 2015
Would it be ok to use canned Thai coconut milk or coconut water instead? I don’t have easy access to whole foods or Asian market.
Susan wrote on August 7, 2015
Hi, Ellina, There is a lot of fat in canned coconut milk. It is also not raw. But if that doesn’t bother you, go for it. I would be careful as to how much of the creamy solid white stuff you put in. Maybe just use a tablespoon or two and the rest, coconut water. Cheers!
Chaser wrote on August 6, 2015
Have you tried adding a little yogurt (From raw milk, of course) ? Just wondering. This sounds so wonderful, but i would need to add some more protein or I’d probably be asleep in a half hour or so.
Susan wrote on August 6, 2015
Hi, Chaser, No…since this is a vegan blog, I don’t promote yogurt, milk or any other dairy products. This drink actually gets protein from the flax, hemp seeds, chia seeds, coconut (yes, it contains protein), and the spirulina (which has 2 grams of protein per teaspoon). I can guarantee that it doesn’t put me to sleep, it energizes me! 🙂
Chaser wrote on August 9, 2015
oh yea~!!! I knew that. HA! Your blog is wonderful that I forget sometimes it is strictly Vegan—all the recipes are so delicious. I just love them. You’ll make a Vegan out of me yet. 🙂 I just made this using Cucumber juice, instead of water, because I have so many cucumbers and do not feel like making pickles…..It was still YUMMY. I juiced the cucumbers first to get pure watery juice, rather than using a whole cucumber in the blender.
Susan wrote on August 9, 2015
Oh I bet the cucumber is delicious!!!
diana v. wrote on August 6, 2015
do you use whole hemp seeds or shelled ?
I love the nutty flavor of them and have been using the whole seed in my smoothies.
thank you for sharing your wisdom, I am trying very hard to be raw.
love the recipes.
Susan wrote on August 6, 2015
Thanks, Diana! I have been using the shelled. But you certainly can use whole, too. Cheers!
Patti wrote on August 6, 2015
I would like to know where you get all the ingredients for this smoothie. I would love to try this. Sounds like a powerful healthy shake!
Susan wrote on August 6, 2015
Hi, Patti, I included links to order some of the products that you might not be familiar with. But everything in this recipe could be purchased at whole foods or your local coop. Cheers!
Teresa wrote on August 6, 2015
Susan
Lovely smoothie. Where do you find young Thai coconuts?
Which supplier of Spirulina do you use…. Where is the spirulina sourced from?
Thanks so much!
Teresa
Susan wrote on August 6, 2015
Hi, Teresa, I get my coconuts from the local Asian markets. You can also find them at Whole Foods. I used Pure Hawaiian Spirulina. It is grown in a bio-secure zone.
Annette wrote on August 6, 2015
Forgot to day I’m definitely trying this one as well!
=^.~=
Susan wrote on August 6, 2015
Anette, Yay!!
Annette wrote on August 6, 2015
Hi Susan!
Made your quick and easy Vegan Breakfast Pudding and my daughter devoured it. She said it was delicious! Funny thing is that’s what she had for dinner.
Susan wrote on August 6, 2015
Thank you, Annette. That is one of our favorites, too! Cheers!
Aubrey wrote on August 6, 2015
This smoothie LOOKS SO GOOD!
Susan wrote on August 6, 2015
Thanks, Aubrey, It tastes great too!!