2-in-1 Banana Breakfast

Ever feel like indulging upon a kingly guilt-free breakfast but simply don't have more than 20 minutes until you have to leave before the rush hour traffic or to that 9am lecture? Then this is the breakfast for you. The amazing thing about this breakfast is that you can use the same mixture for both the smoothie and pancakes! There's no need to worry about eating raw eggs in the smoothie because it's egg free and therefore vegan too.

 I love this breakfast because you can eat the pancakes with your friends or the family at the table then put the smoothie in a jam jar or sealed bottle to enjoy on-the-go. It will make all your work collegues or fellow students jealous, guaranteed. I really don't think anyone needs to worry about 'over eating' at breakfast because considering you're eating the right things, it's the only time of the day when you're allowed to eat like a king!

In my recent chai seed pudding post, I raved about the amazing properties of chai seeds, so guess what features in these beautiful breakfast? You guessed it - chai seeds. There is nothing different between the ingredients in the two mixtures apart from a little added dash of milk or water in the smoothie mixture to make it more drinkable. This breakfast truly is delicious and really worth giving a go! 

Makes 4 pancakes & 1 smoothie (serves 1 king) 

1 1/2 frozen bananas 

1/2 cup of rolled oats 

2 dessert spoons of chai seeds 

2 dessert spoons of milled flaxseed 

1/2 cup of water 

2 dessert spoons of natural yoghurt

1 tsp of cinnamon 

4 prunes 

a knob of butter or coconut oil to grease the pan

1 dessert spoon of pure maple syrup (smoothie addition) 

1/4 cup/a dash of water or milk (smoothie addition)

Method 

- Simply put all the ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. 

- For the pancakes, put a large pan over high heat and add the butter or coconut oil to grease the pan. Turn down the temperature to a medium heat and add the mixture to the pan forming 4 pancake shapes using a dessert spoon. You may have to do this in two batches. 

- Flip after 1:30-2 minutes or until the side is golden and cooked. Turn off the heat and layer the pancakes with a fruit if your desired choice and serve with a dollop of natural yoghurt and a sprinkling of cinnamon or chai seeds (or both!). 

- Using the left over mixture, add the extra dash of water and some maple syrup of you have a sweet tooth! If you like your smoothies thick, then don't worry about the water addition. Pour the smoothie mixture into a drinks container of yor choice and sip away!

Enjoy!

Blueberry & Cinnamon Smoothie

This thick, creamy smoothie is fulfilling, satisfying and energising so therefore the perfect way to start the day. In about 5 minutes you will have a cup full of delicious goodness ready to sip on-the-go or to enjoy sat with your feet up reading The Sunday Telegraph. It really is that quick to make and will fill you up better than any bland bowl of plain porridge. All the ingredients I use should be available in your local supermarket as that's where I found mine, so there's no need to go to the local overpriced health shop. This smoothie is packed with goodness from the banana and blueberries. Blueberries are in fact the best foods to eat for good skin due to their high number of anti-oxidants! This smoothie contains no milk as I used my favourite alpro soya yoghurt and water instead. Surprisingly, I found that although I used water, the beautiful thick, creamy texture wasn't effected due to the natural sweetness of banana and the thickness of the oats. If you prefer your smoothies being slightly sweeter than this one, I recommend you either add 2 medjool dates or one dessert spoon of pure maple syrup. Ingredients to hand, blender at the ready, let's go!

Makes 1 large glass or 2 medium glasses

1 sliced frozen banana

2 oz. (about 1 handful) of blueberries 

3 dessert spoons of milled flaxseed

2 dessert spoons of fat free natural yoghurt

1 dessert spoon of cinnamon (I love cinnamon so put lots in!)

1 cup of water

1/2 cup of organic oats

2 medjool dates or 1 dessert spoon of pure maple syrup (optional)

Method

- Simply blend all the ingredients together until smooth. If you prefer your smoothies a little runnier, just add a dash of milk or water! 

Have a beautiful day.

Banana & Cinnamon Breakfast Smoothie

Smoothies are one of the best ways to start the day for 3 main reasons: 

1) Fantastically fulfilling being packed with vitamins, minerals & fibre

2) Quick & easy to make with limited washing up

3) Absolutely delicious

I've realised that I've been making a lot of smoothies with strawberries and raspberries in and not one banana based recipe - such a crime! . Bananas are one of my favourite fruits as they're rich in nutrients, fibre and vitamins. One banana contains 3g of fibre, which is 12% of your daily dietary requirement that will help to improve bowel movement and prevent constipation. Although low in protein, they contain 30g of carbohydrate so therefore perfect of that quick morning energy boost. Their high potassium content also makes them the ideal fruit for athletes as they improve muscle functioning and prevent cramp. Just one medium banana contains almost 10% of your daily intake of potassium. 

I would say the ultimate breakfast smoothie will simply have to contain a banana in it. I have decided that I will be experimenting and sharing with you with many new smoothie recipes, to then eventually culminate in the ultimate breakfast smoothie which I hope you will enjoy. However, let's start with this beautiful banana, oat & cinnamon smoothie. It's thick, quick and extremely energising to keep you satisfied throughout the morning. 

Serves 2 

1 banana 

2 table spoons natural yoghurt

2 table spoons organic rolled oats

1 tsp cinnamon

1 - 2 teaspoons maple syrup

1 large cup milk

Method

Put all the ingredients together and blend until smooth. Job done.

Top tip: Add the maple syrup accordingly - start with 1 teaspoon and if you prefer a sweeter taste, then add another teaspoon.

Enjoy!

Strawberry & Raspberry Breakfast Blast

A breakfast smoothie - the perfect way to start the day and so incredibly easy to make. I love this smoothie as the strawberries and raspberries are deliciously refreshing and the oats make it more fulfilling to give you the much needed energy boost in the morning. It's also nice to start the day knowing you've already had two wonderful servings of fruit. I'm particularly keen on strawberries at the moment because it's the best time to enjoy them whilst they're in season until August. This smoothie will take no longer than 5 minutes to make and is definitely worth a try. The milk's protein and the countless vitamins, fibre, mineral and antioxidants from the fruit makes it the perfect morning drink.

Strawberries have to be one of my favourite fruits. They're full of fibre, vitamin C and potassium and make a better choice than higher calorie foods so they can also help you manage your weight. Perfect. 

Serves 1

100g raspberries

150g strawberries

2-3 heaped dessert spoons organic oats

1 cup (oatly) milk

Simply put all the ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth! If you want your smoothie to be thicker, add more oats. 

Have a lovely day!

Super Berry Smoothie

Fulfil that smoothie craving and try my Super Berry Smoothie. It's that time of the year when the beautiful fruits are in their prime and every supermarket battles with prices to try and be the 'go to' place to buy their jucy summer delights. 

This smoothie is perfect for breakfast or that quick mid day health kick. Smoothies are much more fulfilling than juices and are a favourite of mine, being so quick and easy to make. 

In this smoothie, I added prunes because I'm a huuuge prune fan! However, if prunes aren't for you, or don't have any then a banana will go the job too. The natural sweetness of the strawberries and the prunes give it such a delicious healthy kick. The addition of the oatmeal also thickens the smoothie to the right consistency which is so delicious and fulfilling. 

Serves 1 

100g raspberries 

150g strawberries 

2 heaped dessert spoons of oatmeal 

1 cup (oatly) milk 

6 prunes (or 1 banana)

Method 

Simply put all the ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth! 

I didn't blend my prunes properly enough so they were at the bottom of my drink..but I quite liked the sweet chunky prune suprise at the bottom of my glass! 

Top tip Try to use frozen raspberries for a cool smoothie. If your fruit isn't frozen, add a couple of ice cubes instead. 

Enjoy!

Green Mean Machine Smoothie

For me, this is the definition of healthy. As you taste it, you can feel the delicious goodness running through your body. So why is it so healthy? 

Kale – Rich in folate, vitamin C and K, calcium, iron, and beta-carotene. It’s also a hormone balancer, digestion booster, anti-inflammatory, and contains omega-3 fatty acids.

Cucumber - Prevents water retention, promotes a healthy digestive track, packed with bioavailable minerals, vitamins, and electrolytes.

Apple – Source of fibre and vitamin C, helps balance blood sugar levels, boosts digestion, reduces inflammation

Spinach - Low in calories and high in vitamins, spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense foods in existence.

Serves 1

1 handful of curly kale

1 handful of spinach

About 10 slices of cucumber

1 sliced eating apple 

200ml homemade apple juice

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Simply, put all the ingredients into a blender and whiz together. Pour into a glass and enjoy! 

Top tip: Pour into a jam jar for an smoothie on-the-go.