SMOOTHIE SATURDAY! Anyone trying to stay away from the gingerbread cookies this year because of a diet can still enjoy this traditional taste of the holidays with a healthier version of the cookie -- in a smoothie. This gingerbread smoothie from tasty-yummies provides a lot more nutritional value than a cookie. One of the starring ingredients is blackstrap molasses. Molasses is a dark, thick liquid extracted during the process of refining sugar cane into table sugar. Blackstrap molasses is obtained during the third boiling of the cane syrup and contains a unique concentration of many vitamins and minerals left over after the sugars sucrose is crystallized, making it the highest and most nutritious grade of molasses, according to naturalnews (tinyurl/nqddk43). One tablespoon of blackstrap molasses offers 20 percent of the daily value of iron and 17 percent DV of calcium, according to healthdiaries (tinyurl/mqedsla). It also is rich in vitamin B6, manganese, magnesium and potassium. Blackstrap molasses has a low glycemic index as well, making it a good sugar substitute for diabetics or anyone trying to avoid a sugar spike. The other starring ingredient in this smoothie is ginger. Some health care professionals recommend ginger to help prevent or treat nausea and vomiting from motion sickness, pregnancy and cancer chemotherapy. It also is used to treat mild stomach upset, to reduce pain of osteoarthritis, and may even be used in heart disease. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory property can be helpful when dealing with post-workout muscle soreness. One study at the University of Georgia involving 74 volunteers found that daily ginger supplementation reduced exercise-induced muscle pain by 25 percent. This holiday season, enjoy the taste of gingerbread in a healthier way. This smoothie is dairy- and gluten-free, so it’s perfect for everyone. Enjoy! Gingerbread Smoothie Serves 1 Ingredients: 1 frozen banana 1 cup unsweetened organic vanilla almond milk (or other non-dairy milk) 1 tablespoon unsulphured blackstrap molasses 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon flax-seed meal (or ground chia seeds) 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (grated fresh ginger recommended) pinch of ground nutmeg pinch of ground cloves dash of all spice 1 small handful of ice *additional sweetener, if needed Directions: Add all ingredients to the blender and process until smooth and creamy. Pour into your glass, top with a little freshly grated nutmeg (or regular ground nutmeg will work too). Serve immediately. Live well. ~Stephanie M. #smoothie #breakfast #snack #winter #holidays #Christmas #cookies #gingerbread #health #nutrition #diet #cko #kickboxing #motivation #warwick CKO Kickboxing Warwick Sunday YOGA at CKO Warwick
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 14:00:01 +0000
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