This is the perfect after-work smoothie to chill out and relax. Work can be extremely exhausting, and after you get home, you want something easy to make and delicious. We don't need a pick-me-up every day, some days, we just want to melt into the couch, and this smoothie is perfect for that.
Ingredients
Bananas: High in soluble fiber, bananas are great for digestion. They also are high in antioxidants which many people don't associate with bananas. Also, if you choose an unripe banana, you will get even more prebiotic benefits.
Blueberries: High in fiber, these berries are great for gut and heart health. They have also been shown to help reduce inflammation and regulate blood sugar. Anthocyanins give blueberries their color, and they are also powerful antioxidants that help reduce the risk of cancer and diabetes.
Lavender Chamomile tea: Lavender scent has been shown to help calm the mind and reduce stress and anxiety, but the effects of lavender tea have not been well studied. However, chamomile tea has been shown to contain antioxidants that help promote sleepiness and reduce insomnia.
Honey: Honey adds a little bit of sweetness to make it seem like you are drinking a dessert. However, feel free to leave this out. Honey does have some prebiotic benefits, which are precisely what our gut needs. Raw honey also has been shown to have anti-inflammatory benefits.
Lemon yogurt: Yogurt has some probiotic benefits, but it also contains some protein. The protein will help you feel fuller for longer and is instrumental in gut healing.
Smoothie Variations
Liquids: If you can't find lavender and chamomile tea, feel free just to use chamomile. If you don't want to use tea, try oat milk or almond milk.
Fruits: Feel free to switch to any other berries for the blueberries in the smoothie. For the banana, feel free to leave it out.
Protein: However, if you can't find lemon yogurt, try regular Greek yogurt with lemon zest. Don't want to use yogurt? Try protein powder or silken tofu.
Additives: If you don't want to use honey, try stevia. If you don't have lavender tea, then lavender extract (not essential oil!) or lavender syrup might work well. Almond extract isn't necessary, but it does take this flavor to the next level. Feel free to add a few lavender flowers if you want to forgo the tea.
Sit back and relax a bit with this Dreamy Lemon Blueberry Lavender Smoothie.