5 Ingredient Brain-Boosting Smoothie

It’s safe to say that I am on board the smoothie train. When I was working full-time, I would start every morning with a smoothie. Now that I am in school and at home more often, I have the luxury of listening to my body and responding to it as soon as it speaks to me!

I want to share with you my go-to smoothie that re-energizes my body and brain, allowing me to slay my day!

I love this smoothie because it’s super simple, easy and agrees with my stomach. For the longest time, I thought that I needed to have a banana and some type of milk base in my smoothie. A combination and/or either of these things left me feeling heavy instead of energized. So, I had to get creative to come up with other smoothie options that did not contain bananas or some type of plant-based milk (and there’s not a lot of that out there).
Here it is!

Ingredients:
  • ¾ cup of frozen blueberries (preferably wild)
  • 1-2 Tbsp of protein powder (I used the brand Tropeaka, the vanilla flavour which is a pea protein brand – that doesn’t have the grainy taste)
  • *if you don’t have protein powder, you can substitute almond butter instead
    • ½ cup filtered water (add more if needed)
  • 1 Tbsp hemp seeds (or 1 Tbsp chia seeds depending on what I feel my body needs more)
  • Ice

I know what you’re thinking – that’s it?

It’s seriously that simple!

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This smoothie only takes 5 minutes to make and provides you with plant-based protein, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, as well as blueberries (high in anthocyanins aka antioxidant protection to the brain & nervous system) to help fuel your brain to finish those readings on your to-do list!

Try it out – your tummy and brain will thank me!

 

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PRO TIP (1)PRO TIP:
To switch things up or if you want something more substantive, try putting your smoothie in a bowl and keep the consistency a little thicker by adding more ice or not blending it as long. Then top it with granola, nuts, seeds, coconut, fruit or other toppings – get creative. When I am really hungry I’ll do this instead of a smoothie in a cup.

 

 

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What’s in your go-to smoothie?

Would love to hear some more yummy ideas!

Until next time,
Christine

 Christine xo

P.S Don’t forget to use #ScholarCulture #ScholarSquad to keep me updated on your experiences as grad students.

P.P.S Applying to grad school in 2018? Check out this FREE eBook on 5 steps to a successful grad school application.

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2 responses to “5 Ingredient Brain-Boosting Smoothie”

  1. John Hackworth

    Well, that smoothie sounds really good. I wonder when technology will be able to let us send smoothies through email!? LOL! I have fixed smoothies for myself that I take to school with me. When I get to mid morning of my day I enjoy to drink my smoothie and it definitely gives me a surge of energy. I put a banana, protein powder, strawberries, almond milk, ice, and sometimes some plain yogurt in my smoothie. I think treating myself to good healthy nutrition helps me maintain my health and wellness. Now that I am starting my PhD program soon I want to make sure that I make it a priority to eat healthy.
    Eating healthy will help me to stay focused and energized for my work day and then for my PhD study when I get home from work. I try to on a daily basis eat well. I eat lots of fruits, some vegetables, quality grains, cheese, yogurt, and lean meats. One day a week I do treat myself to a frozen pizza, yummy! Coffee and water are my main go to drinks. My quality eating plus my 3-4 days in the weight room keep me feeling good and ready to get my tasks completed.
    Thanks for hosting this blog. Appreciate it. Attack The Day!

    John

    1. Scholar Culture

      Haha smoothies through e-mail, I love it. Way to go for making health and wellness a priority as you enter into your PhD. This will be important and not always easy. But I also agree with you, treat yourself to those items like a frozen pizza every once and a while. This is just as important. And keep up the exercise! Way to go!

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