Chocolate Banana Matcha Smoothie

I came across this recipe yesterday for a Chocolate Banana Matcha Smoothie and thought it was just too good not to share! I can’t take credit for it – it was posted by Sanus Biotech, a company that makes a neurotransmitter support formulation to help balance brain chemistry called Synaptamine. The ingredients in this smoothie are ones that support dopamine production, one of our brain chemicals that helps with memory, balanced mood, alertness and feelings of contentment and pleasure. These ingredients are also great antioxidants too.

Ingredients

• 1 cup ice
• 1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
• 1/2 avocado, pitted
• 1 ripe banana, peeled (frozen is best)
• 1 tbsp almond butter
• 1 tsp matcha powder
• 2 tbsp cacao powder

Directions

Add everything to a blender and blend until smooth. If you want to make it fancy, top the smoothie with chopped dark chocolate and sprinkle with a little matcha powder.

If you want to cut back on the fruit, just use 1/2 banana.

If you want a little more sweetness, add a couple of drops of stevia. I personally think a vanilla or hazelnut-flavored stevia would be amazing in this.

If you’re feeling creating, add a drop of peppermint or cinnamon essential oil.

I love coming across recipes that are sugar free other than the natural fruit sugar in the banana, gluten and dairy free, and rich in healthy fats. Matcha is a special powered form of green tea – it has lots of health-giving benefits including being even higher in antioxidants than regular green tea, being a source of theanine which has calming effects on the nervous system, and having the ability to stimulate the metabolism.

We all need a little splurge here and there, so it’s great that we have some healthier options that still feel indulgent.