Love your heart, drink this creamy almond banana date shake.
Bananas, dates, and almonds are so delicious, especially when combined with each other, this shake seems more like a rich dessert: smooth, creamy, and sweet. And drinking this will help curb cravings as it satisfies your sweet tooth while being jam packed with nutrients your body really needs. I guarentee even the pickiest, junk-food lovers will love this. I’ve been making this for my kids the past few days and they call it their “special milk.” It’s a great snack and provides them with so many nutrients.
Bananas are easy to digest, are low in fat, and high in carbohydrates (the body’s main source of energy) which make for an excellent pre or post workout snack. They are rich in vitamin B-6, a good source of fiber, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium. Lack of B6 in a diet can cause weakness, irritability and insomnia. The potassium found in bananas helps to regulate blood pressure and may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Potassium is also essential for helping muscles to contract properly during exercise and reduces cramping up. A medium-sized banana provides 400 mg of potassium -11% of daily value- and contains 110 calories and 4 grams of fiber.
Eating almonds has the same effect as the cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins. A one and a half ounce handful of almonds is a rich source of vitamin E and magnesium and offers protein, fiber, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron in 246 calories. Also, almonds (and other nuts) contain phytochemicals, which are plant chemicals that may provide powerful protection against heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases.
Dates are high in fiber, source of protein (yes protein!), vitamins/minerals, and although very sweet, their “whole” package makes this a sweetner of choice as it does not cause spikes in blood sugar.
So try it out and get ready to say: yum, yum.
Notes: Learning how to blend the perfect smoothie is not an exact science. It takes some practice learning the right balance of liquid and solids (like ice) to create the texture of the drink you are making. Typically if you want your shake to be more like thick milk, you will add less ice. More ice, makes for a thicker more smoothie-like shake. Also, Make sure you use a RIPE banana (has spots on it), otherwise this will not taste the way it should. There’s nothing worse than an unripe banana, unless it’s an unripe mango, or canteloupe, or pear…:) You can use a fresh banana, but it won’t be as creamy and cold. As I said before, you can make this more thick by adding less rice milk and more ice, or less thick and cold by adding more milk and less ice.
Creamy Almond Banana Date Shake
Makes 4-6 cups
- 2 frozen bananas
- 2-3 c. non-dairy milk (I prefer rice milk) or water works too, just add a bit more of other ingredients
- handful of pitted dates (so many kinds of dates, pick one you like), about 4-6, depending on sweetness desired
- 1/4 c. almond butter (use a little less if you’re concerned about fat intake)
- 2-3 TBS. ground flaxseed (OPTIONAL, adds omega-3 fats)
- 1-2 tsp. brewer’s yeast (OPTIONAL, adds B vitamins, like B-12)
- 1 tsp. real vanilla extract
- 1-2 c. ice cubes, depending on thickness desired
Blend all ingredients on high until very smooth and creamy.
Carob-mint, carob, or chocolate version: add 2 tsp. carob mint spirulina (I LOVE the Pure Planet Power Carob Mint brand, a little expensive, but such a nutritious, delicious treat) or 2 TBS. carob/cocoa powder.
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