Yogurt Energy Drink

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup plain yogurt (preferably whole milk organic, can be flavored, like vanilla)
• 1 banana, cut into 2 pieces
• 2 eggs*, raw – See Note below.
• 2 tablespoons Virgin Coconut Oil, melted
• 2 tablespoons flax seeds, ground
• crushed ice (optional)

*Note – This recipe contains raw or undercooked eggs. Please make a substitution if you have concerns about consuming raw eggs.

Directions:

Put yogurt, banana, egg yolk, flax seeds, and coconut oil in a blender. Blend it at medium speed. Put crushed ice in and blend again. Good for 2 servings.

Comments:

1. You can substitute flax seeds with almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and other healthy nuts and seeds that you prefer.

2. You can also freeze this and eat it as frozen yogurt.

3. This drink is good as a quick, digestive, breakfast food and gives you a lot of energy in the morning that lasts until lunch.

Coconut oil is a great addition to your favorite beverage recipe! You can add it to smoothie recipes for a quick, healthy breakfast, an energy boost, a pick-me-upper, or a snack. It fills you up and gives you extra energy.

Coconut oil can be used in many different beverages though, not just smoothies. Some use it in their coffee in place of cream, while others add it to tea, hot chocolate, juices, lattes—you name it! I love adding a tablespoon or two to a cold blended drink during the summer before a workout or riding lesson for energy or a hot drink during the winter to wake me up and keep me energetic throughout the whole workout.

The biggest problem is to know how to add coconut oil to a cold beverage? If you just throw it into a smoothie, it clumps up into little white balls. If you try stirring it in, it solidifies. The solution, however, is actually quite simple.

For hot drinks, simply stir in the desired amount. True, water and oil do not mix, so if you don’t want a layer of oil at the top of your drink, simply stir it back in before taking another sip. For cold drinks, melt the desired amount of coconut oil and place the drink into a blender. While blending on medium speed, slowly add the coconut oil in, starting out with drops and working up to a steady stream until all is well blended. The oil will not clump and will give you a frothy top when finished. If you’re making a smoothie, wait until it is fairly smooth and not so chunky before adding the oil.

So there you have it! The smoothie recipe below is simple, quick, easy, and delicious and makes a great “energy drink.” Enjoy everyone!

Banana, Orange Smoothie

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup orange juice more or less, depending on how thick or thin you want it
• 1 tablespoon Coconut Cream Concentrate
• 3 tablespoons organic, whole milk vanilla yogurt
• 3 ice cubes
• 3 tablespoons Virgin Coconut Oil,  liquefied

Directions:

Blend all ingredients except coconut oil in blender. Slowly add coconut oil, starting out with drops and working up to a steady stream. This is also good by adding 5 frozen strawberries. Enjoy!

As always, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to drop me a comment below.

Recipe courtesy of Sarah Shilhavy.

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Chocolate, Coconut Smoothie

Ingredients:

• approximately 3/4 cup dates or raisins soaked in 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoon organic, golden flax seeds
• 1 tablespoon shredded or flaked coconut
• 1 teaspoon organic cocoa powder
• 1–2 teaspoons coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract, (optional)
• 1 teaspoon whole sugar, or to taste
• 1 chopped pear
• 1–2 frozen, chopped bananas
• ice cubes, as needed

Directions:

Soak first 3 ingredients from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. Blend and, slowly in a blender, add other ingredients. Blend well. You can top this with raw cacao nibs or add other seeds/nuts as desired.

Recipe submitted by Kathy, Portland, OR.

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