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Strawberry Chia Smoothies

If you’re looking for a way to add healthy fat, fabulous fiber, and deliciously detoxifying ingredients to your morning routine, look no further than our Strawberry Chia Smoothie! Chia seeds are a power-packed superfood loved by nutritionists the world over. Known as “Runner’s Food” and the “Aztec Superfood,” chia seeds are jam-packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fiber; when they’re hydrated, their uniquely gelatinous properties help carry toxins out of the body and allow our digestive systems to hydrate and purify. It’s always a great time to try a new superfood! More about chia later; first, the rundown on our smoothie.

Along with a blender, here’s what you’ll need to make the Strawberry Chia Smoothie:

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup frozen banana chunks
• 1 Tbsp. chia seeds, white or black
• 1/2 cup nonfat milk
• 1/2 cup plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt
• 1/2 Tsp.  pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. 1. Place frozen strawberries and bananas in your blender pitcher; thaw for approx. 10 minutes 
2. 2. Add remaining ingredients; start blender at low speed and gradually increase to full speed
3. 3. When the smoothie is creamy and evenly incorporated, you’re good to go! More milk can be added for a looser, more straw-friendly liquid

Nutrition Facts:

• CALORIES: 221
• FAT: 2 g
• CARBS: 33 g
• SUGAR: 23 g
• SODIUM: 116 mg
• FIBER: 6 g
• PROTEIN: 18 g
• CHOLESTEROL: 2 mg

So why is chia so important? As you probably saw from the nutrition facts, chia is chock-full of the stuff you body craves for energy and healthy digestion. As far as protein is concerned, chia is second only to hemp in its ability to pack protein into a simple seed. Just a small serving is enough to keep you feeling full and help you build muscle. It’s great for digestion, too; the seed is mostly soluble fiber and its unique gelatinous-ness helps hydrate your colon and keep your nutritional superhighway moving along at a healthy rate.  If you suffer from a bowel disorder, chances are chia can help! All that fiber also comes in handy while your body processes sugar; it sloooowws down the process of sugar-to-starch conversion, helping regulate your energy so you don’t get sugar spikes. For detox, chia is king; the gelatinous fiber helps carry toxin-laden bile salts away from your liver and out of your body. And you can’t forget about Omega-3s, nature’s favorite fat. Omega-3s are important for lubricating your joints, keeping your heart healthy, and giving your skin, nails, and hair that much-lauded luster. If you’d like to know more about chia seeds, give our nutritionists a shout- they’ll respond within 7 days if you send an email to nutritionists@healthylivingmarket.com.