Description
Many people I know skip breakfast because the thought of eating a large meal at the start of the day is unappealing. It’s true that on a weekend day, a heavy breakfast is not always necessary for a fuel kick before a busy working day, but eating something, no matter how small, is a good start to the day in order to maintain stable GI (Glycemic Index) levels and not plummet to fat-storing mode. If you prefer to have a quick breakfast after your Sadhana or morning meditation, give this one a try. I got my partner, a person who had never got into the habit of eating breakfast, onto these and now he loves them because they’re just light enough to keep him satisfied without being full before lunch time.
Rich in monounsaturated fats, the almond is an excellent vegan source of protein, they are satiating, so a great snack between meals. I usually carry a little bag of almonds and pumpkin seeds in my bag, just in case. High in magnesium, they are an energy-giving food, and so a good breakfast food. Monounsaturated fat-rich foods are ideal for promoting heart health, reducing the risk of heart disease upon regular consumption. Best consumed raw, they are easily blanched in tepid water overnight (reducing their acidity slightly and making them slightly easier to digest). Shrivelled ones are probably rancid, so avoid eating those one if you find one! Unshelled almonds have a longer shelf-life, but refrigerating unshelled ones keeps them for several months. You can also freeze them for up to a year to keep them fresh and packed full on nutrition.
Whey protein powder is only slightly higher in its protein value than ground almonds (often also called almond meal) yet ground almonds are in other terms more nutritious, and of course, more natural. Almonds are one of the best plant-based raw proteins you can eat, a great source of the mineral manganese (dubbed ‘the giver of oxygen’ by David Wolfe for it’s ability to improve oxygenation of the blood, nerves and brain cells). Though nuts are quite an acidic food, almonds are less acidic in comparison to say macadamia or walnuts, and ground almonds (soaked) in this smoothie recipe makes them easier to digest and slightly less acidic in nature. Almonds (or ground or flaked almonds) are a great ingredient to have knocking around to flavour and nutrient-boost your healthy smoothies. I like to use the ground almond left over from making almond milk (see my plant-based milks recipe), it has already been soaked, would probably otherwise get thrown away and I believe, tastes much richer soaked. This recipe is for 1.
Ingredients
Ground almonds, 2 tbsp
Coconut water, 150ml
White dragon fruit, 1/2
Banana, 1/2
Fine oats, a sprinkle
Preparation Time
5 minutes
Preparation
1. Chop up the dragon fruit and banana.
2. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Sprinkle with oats and enjoy.
Alternative Options
If you can’t get hold of dragon fruit use any other soft tropical fruit, like mango or papaya, or alternatively, simply add a whole banana.
