Maria's Must-Have Morning Smoothie

If you're running out the door in the morning and need a quick pick-me-up, but can't decide between a smoothie and coffee…I have a solution! Try my banana-coffee smoothie. 😝  You get the best of both worlds: nutrients from the smoothie and a caffeine buzz from the coffee. Click here to watch me make it!

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup strongly brewed coffee, chilled

• 2 small frozen bananas

• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed

• 2 tablespoons shredded unsweetened coconut

• ½ cup ice (more or less as needed)

Step 1: Brew and Chill Your Favorite Coffee

Start off by brewing and chilling your favorite coffee. I don't like my coffee bitter, so I brew it with a little extra water than usual—about 10 ounces for every 8 ounces of grounds. But, make whatever your personal preference is! Then put it in the fridge to chill.

Step 2: Freeze and Cut Your Bananas

Next, throw some frozen bananas into the mix! If you don't have frozen bananas, you can use normal ones and add some more ice.

Step 3: Place All Ingredients in The Blender 

Next, add 2 tablespoons of flaxseed. Flaxseed is rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids- all great nutrients for your body and brain. It also contains phytoestrogen, which can help reduce the risk of hormone-related cancers, such as breast cancer, by neutralizing the activity of estrogen in the body. Studies have even shown that consuming flaxseeds can result in lower levels of total cholesterol and LDL "bad" cholesterol (the type associated with heart disease).Then, mix in 2 tablespoons of shredded unsweetened coconut. Coconut is FULL of  potassium, magnesium and copper and is so great for you. Plus it adds a yummy sweetness to the drink!Lastly, add ½ cup ice (more or less as needed / depending on your preference). More ice can make your smoothie thicker, so if you don't like too much ice but want a thicker consistency, consider using more frozen fruit instead.

Step 4: Blend and enjoy!

And there you have it—a delicious, healthy smoothie that’s perfect to kick-start your day! The beauty of this recipe is that you can play around with the ingredients to make it your own. Try adding different fruits or your favorite milk to make it perfect for you! You can also add different types of protein powder (chocolate bone broth from Ancient Nutrition is one of my favs to add in 😝)If you try this out, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @mariamenounos so I can see how you made yours!For more of my favorite recipes, life hacks, and more - check out my blog page!