Cherry Garcia Smoothie
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What does this food offer in terms of nutrients and physical nourishment?
Protein (milk, chia seeds, collagen/protein powder)
Carbohydrates (milk, cherries, chia seeds, some from cocoa)
Fat (milk, chia seeds)
Fiber (chia seeds, cherries)
Other (cocoa powder is a good source of magnesium, cherries contain potassium and antioxidants including vitamin C)
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What does this food offer in terms of mental satisfaction through flavor, texture, and experience?
Creamy
Rich
Fresh
Sweet
Smooth
When it comes to ice cream flavors, I tend to switch favorites often. One flavor that has remained a constant go-to for years is Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia. The chocolate, cherry, and almond combination always hits the spot and unlike some other brands, they always come through with consistently big chunks of cherries and chocolate.
While it’s fun to have ice cream or a milkshake in the morning, smoothies definitely feel much better in my body. I made this Cherry Garcia smoothie to provide the same big flavor and creamy texture with more sustainable nutrients to power my day. Spinach and cherries provides antioxidants and fiber, while chia seeds add fiber and healthy omega-3 fats. Milk and collagen or protein powder provides protein to help us stay full longer while cocoa powder and almond extract add the classic Cherry Garcia flavor we know and love.
Allergens: Dairy (optional)
Servings: 1 large smoothie
Prep time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen cherries
1 cup milk of choice (I like to choose 2% or higher cow’s milk for a balance of protein, fat and carbs but choose what you prefer)
1 cup fresh spinach
1 serving (follow serving size instructions on container) plain collagen or protein powder of choice
2 tbsp chia seeds
1 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp almond extract
Directions:
Add ingredients to a blender starting with spinach and cherries on the bottom, followed by powders and seeds, then liquids.
Blend on high until smooth. Enjoy!
