59 year old confesses- I should know better!

I hate eating breakfast, so there! Okay, well, maybe it's not a major sin (and the one you expected ;-), but it isn't a healthy choice either, especially at my age! 

We need fuel for our bodies first thing in the morning, at any age, but as we get older; it's even more important to keep our blood sugar levels up, throughout the day.

I arise at 6:30 am every morning and don't feel like having anything more than my 1 or 2 cups of coffee, until at least 10:00 am.  I love breakfast foods, just not at breakfast time!

3 years ago I decided that I must do something about my poor breakfast habits.  I discovered my solution at...Costco, in the form of a delicious breakfast smoothie! 

When my husband and I purchased a Vitamix Blender, the Rolls Royce of blenders (were told), I knew we were on to something.  We met, my soon to be best friend, during a friendly Costco demonstration. We stood at the demo booth for 30 minutes, mesmerized, as we watched our demonstrator whip up smoothies, and juices, and soups, oh my!  We sampled them all--isn't that what everyone does at Costco?--everything was delish; especially the smoothies. 

Today, I'm happy to report, I'm officially a breakfast person.  How can I not be happy, with the vast array of summer fruits available for my breakfast drink.  I've made smoothies with everything from vegetables to nuts...flax seed, almond milk, fruit, and occasionally all of the above.  I always come back to my two favorites I'm sharing here.

I use 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in all my smoothies now, almost religiously.  The oil boosts the flavor of the fruit, and gives my shakes a slight coconut flavor.

In case you haven't heard-or aren't on Facebook much-the benefits of incorporating coconut oil into our diet are many.  It's light and tastes great, but it's the health benefits that will keep me adding it to my breakfast drink.

Coconut Oil Benefits:  Using coconut oil can reduce hunger, boost thyroid function,  helping to increase metabolism, energy and endurance. It improves digestion and helps to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. 

Studies show that the fatty acids in coconut oil can increase blood levels of ketone bodies, supplying energy for the brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients and relieving symptoms.

Can it help those of us in our 50's and 60's to prevent Alzheimer's?  We're not sure yet, but studies are being conducted to determine this.  With all the other benefits, I'm going to continue to include it in my morning smoothies; and remain hopeful that it can also help prevent this disease too. 

Smoothie #1

1 small banana

6 strawberries

4-6 raw almonds

1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil

2 Scoops Almased Protein Powder* (or protein powder of your choice)

2 small scoops ice

1-2 tablespoons water if shake is too thick

Blend all ingredients together until smooth.

*Almased is the best protein powder I've found. I've tried many, but it's my favorite. I was chosen as on of the Almased success stories.  Read about it on the Almased web site.  

 

Smoothie # 2

 

 12-15 blueberries

6 blackberries

1/2 banana

2 slices pineapple

2-3 Tablespoons pineapple juice

1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil

2 scoops Almased Protein Powder

2 scoops ice

Blend all ingredients until smooth.  To your right is my breakfast or shall I say....brunch!  Yes, that is more to my liking.

I would love to hear what your favorite smoothie is.  Do you add Coconut oil to yours? 

Comments

[Marilyn Schendel]

OK Kelli as another more cured and aged woman of almost 66 I also am not a favorite of eating breakfast but this post is pushing me to start using the coconut oil I purchased recently. Thanks for the push! And your recipes sound delish!

[Kelli Parisian]

You will start to notice benefits quickly Marilyn. It really makes a smoothie extra good. Thanks for your comments!