All This Packed in One Frosty Glass -- Chai Almond Smoothie

I love smoothies for breakfast. My usual in a Chocolate Breakfast Shake, but this one, laced with spices, is also really good and good for you.

·      *Bananas are a good source of potassium.

·     * Almond Milk has 50% more calcium than regular milk and contains just 60 calories per one cup (compared to skim milk at 90 calories per cup).

·      *Flax Meal is full of fiber and it helps reduce cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar.

·     * Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, soothes the stomach, and helps lower cholesterol levels.

·      *Cinnamon can help lower blood sugar, triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol.

·     * Cardamon aids digestion.

·      *Nutmeg  -- Studies show that it can help lower blood pressure and sooth a stomach ache.

·      *Vanilla - Vanillin, the active component of vanilla, has been shown to have antioxidant properties.

Chai Almond Smoothie

1 banana

1 cup almond milk

1 tablespoon ground flax meal (I use golden flax meal)

1 to 1½ teaspoons freshly grated ginger (good for nausea or upset stomaches)

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground cardamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

1.     Put banana, milk, flax meal, spices and extract into blender. Add lid and blend until well mixed.

2.     Stop blend; add ice (about 1/3 of a glass) and blend until ice is finely chopped and frosty. Sprinkle additional nutmeg on top and ENJOY!

Note: Add agave or honey -- just enough to sweeten, if needed. (Personally, I don’t think it needs extra sweetener.)