One of my favorite ways to get an energy boost is having my all-time favorite smoothie – The Energize-U-Body smoothie. You can have this as a meal because it is packed with so many nutrients and it’s just simply good for you. Or you can have it as a snack if you eat a little more and metabolize your food faster like I do.

The Energize-U-Body Smoothie

This smoothie is fun, delicious, and will leave you wanting more!

You will need the following items:
Coconut milk (or any other milk)- My preferred milk is coconut which I make myself without additives. It is packed with naturally good fats
Oatmeal toasted– This adds more thickness and body to the smoothie especially if you are looking for some fullness.
Bananas– This is a natural sweetener for your smoothie it is rich in nutrients and adds a nice flavor
Sunflower seed- Sunflower seeds add great texture to your smoothie. These seeds are rich in good fats and nutrients such as copper, manganese, and selenium
Flax seeds- These are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and lignans. Flax also contains a decent amount of magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Chia seeds– These are prized for their ability to provide sustainable energy. They have a good amount of Calcium, Magnesium, and Manganese along with omega-3 fatty acids
Honey- This contains many antioxidants that fight free radicals (cancer-causing agent) and it’s just good to give your immune system a boost. It is a natural and healthier sweetener
Spirulina- This is a blue-green algae, it is high in protein, has a significant amount of iron, and great to give you a boost of energy. Spirulina is great to incorporate into your diet to help with the management of diabetes and hypertension. I use just a small amount as I am not a fan of the taste of the sea that it comes with. This is why it’s great to incorporate in a smoothie- great benefits without the taste!
Blackstrap Molasses- This contains a significant amount of iron, along with Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium. It has a lower glycemic index than conventional sweeteners, so it won’t spike blood sugar as much. It will add a sweet, yet smoky flavor; using too much will make your smoothie bitter, so watch out!
Peanut/ cashew butter– This adds a nice nutty and creamy touch to the smoothie. It is best to use unsweetened and unsalted butter.
Nutmeg– Nutmeg usually just gives you a sense of warmth and comfort. It adds a great aromatic taste and is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that it is a mood booster and may enhance libido.
Cinnamon- This adds a great flavor like nutmeg but helps to bring out the sweetness in the smoothie and it is a spice with a plethora of health benefits. Cinnamon can help improve insulin sensitivity and help to fight bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.
Vanilla extract/concentrate- Who doesn’t love the flavor vanilla adds to any drink? If you choose to use vanilla concentrate then less is best.

Ingredients

Instructions:

1. Pour coconut milk into a blender, add sliced banana, oatmeal, and seeds
2. Add molasses, honey, nut butter, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and spirulina.
3. Blend until you get a creamy and homogenous smoothie.
4. Pour the smoothie in a glass, then sprinkle it with your favorite seeds.

Notes
If you are diabetic please account for the amount of sugar you use. 1/2 of a banana may be used (depending on the size) and eliminating the honey would still give a satisfying smoothie with all the nutrients that are needed.
This smoothie has no artificial sugars and contains ingredients that help with sugar control such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and the fibers from the seeds and oatmeal.

Peanut Butter Caramel Popcorn

Popcorn is a wonderful snack to just relax and munch on, especially when you have made your own from scratch. It is our family’s all-time favorite movie night snack along with our sweet potato chips. There are so many ways to have popcorn and I want to share this particular flavorful and sweet caramel popcorn recipe with you. It has only 3 ingredients. It is delicious, fun, and easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups popcorn
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup peanut butter( unsweetened is best)
• salt to taste (optional, depending on if you want a salty-sweet caramel)

Instructions:

1. Place the popcorn in a large bowl.
2. In a saucepan, pour and combine honey, peanut butter, and salt. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer until it is thick but still runny, not watery.
3. Pour Caramel syrup over popcorn and stir so that it coats it. Allow to cool, serve and enjoy!