THIS RECIPE IS GLUTEN-FREE.
Macadamia Nut & Coffee Smoothie
(Gluten-Free)
Since moving to the big city (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), I joined a crossfit gym for lack of mountain bike trails in my area. I’m a morning person (often rising before 6 a.m.), and thrive off of a good morning sweat getting me pumped for the work day ahead.
Our move to Toronto, took us to Roncesvalles Village (the best neighborhood in the city IMHO!) and we’re walking distance to a library, which is where I tend to work out of most days (working from home makes me a bit kooky). Surrounded by books, the obvious thing to do would be to start reading them.
Naturally, the first book I signed out was about food, nutrition, and sport, The Thrive Diet, 10th Anniversary Edition: The Plant-Based Whole Foods Way to Staying Healthy for Life, written by Brendan Brazier.
I’m far from vegan, however, I am a vegetable (and some fruit) advocate and learning from a professional athlete on an entirely plant-based diet was enlightening.
A few of my key takeaways from the book, The Thrive Diet:
#1. Electrolytes. Recovering from a sport like crossfit (short bursts of intense energy), one should consider immediately consuming a drink of electrolytes. One of the easiest, healthiest and most natural electrolyte beverages is coconut water.
#2. Protein. About 1 hour following a crossfit workout is when you’ll want to consume a small meal of mostly protein, some carbs and some fats for muscle repair (which I feel my body desperately craving).
#3. Nutritional yeast! That will be an entire post unto itself.
One of the best parts of my day is coming home from crossfit, pouring 1 measured cup of coconut water, sitting my butt on my couch to drink it, and entering my results into wodify. I then reflect on my workout, and if and what I could have done any differently.
Following my chill out session, I get ready for work. Just before heading out the door, I make a protein smoothie. Scott and I went hard on green smoothies this summer, and one recent morning I just couldn’t do it.
So, I set out to make the complete opposite, a white smoothie.
I wasn’t super worried about the lacking nutrients in something I was referring to as a “white smoothie” considering I was using Vega Sport Protein Powder (Brendan Brazier product), which has been designed specifically for sport recovery.
My first version of the “white smoothie”, turned out pretty close to white and was pretty darn tasty. Then a friend mentioned adding coffee to their morning smoothie – brilliant!
And so, the Macadamia Nut & Coffee Smoothie was born.
Now, the leftover cold coffee I typically pour down the drain is put to very good use. Waste not, want not!
Macadamia Nut & Coffee Smoothie
(Gluten-Free)
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 cup coffee, brewed
- 2 tbsp macadamia nuts
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 banana, frozen
- 3 ice cubes
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Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender.
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Blend on high until smooth, typically around 30 seconds.
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Pour and serve while cold and frothy!
When shopping for ingredients, I try and stick to the 'Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen' rule when it comes to buying organic fruits and vegetables. I have listed all ingredients simply by name, and have left off words such as "organic", "grass fed", "free-run" etc. I encourage you to do your own research and consume what works best for you.
Don’t have all the equipment or ingredients at home? Click the images below and order them straight to your door!
Need more gluten-free & paleo recipe inspiration?
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Whether you’re an avid crossfit enthusiast needing to rebuild your taxed muscles, a muddy mountain biker looking to refuel after a big day of adventure, or an all-around healthy, active, human looking for some variety in your meals, this Paleo E-Cookbook is for you!
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