It's apple season in Maine! This is the time of year I get a serious craving for apples, maybe because they're everywhere--in the Farmer's Markets and grocery stores. When my daughter was young, apple picking was a yearly activity that was followed up with a lot of cooking with apples in every conceivable way. This delicious smoothie has that apple-cinnamon flavor that is reminiscent of the all-American favorite, apple pie. To keep the carbs down, I only use 1/4 of a tart apple but, combined with the warm spices, it's enough to give it the apple flavor I desire. This smoothie is a great way to get a crisp, cool autumn morning off to a good and healthy start!
Apple Pie Kefir Smoothie
Makes 1 serving
1/2 cup plain, unsweetened kefir (or yogurt)
1/4 organic Granny Smith apple with skin, cut into chunks
1 tablespoon coconut or flaxseed oil
1/2 cup coconut or almond milk (I used full-fat coconut milk)
1 teaspoon apple pie spice
1 tablespoon chia seed
1/4 teaspoon stevia powder, or to taste (I use Sweet Leaf brand)
A pinch of salt
2 kale leaves or a handful of spinach (if you want it green)
1 teaspoon collagen hydrolysate (or your favorite protein powder)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
4-5 ice cubes
Enough water to reach desired consistency
Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately.
Nutritional Information per serving: 421 calories, 13.4 g carbohydrate (3.5 g dietary fiber, 9.6 g sugars), 35.3 g total fat (24.8 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 12 mg cholesterol, 77 mg sodium, 161.4 mg calcium, 286 mg potassium, 8.3 g protein. Net carbs per serving: 9.9 grams
Recipe by Kathy Sheehan, copyright 2016
All rights reserved. Please do not duplicate without author's permission.