A few different varieties that will hopefully suit all tastes, and as always, these recipes will suit those with special dietary needs.
If your family is anything like ours, on Christmas Day everybody will bring enough of every dish for the whole extended family. And when that’s 10 dishes or more, there is food to excess, as far as the eye can see. I’ve tried giving everybody strict instructions about what to bring, and more importantly what not to bring, but have you ever tried telling a mother that we don’t need 6 desserts, 2 or 3 choices would be adequate?
You may be tempted to just fast in the morning, or just have a cup of tea or coffee. But if that means that you’re starving by the time Christmas lunch is served, and fill up on snacks before the main meal is even served, a light breakfast may be a better idea.
I like a smoothie for these occasions as you can make them festive, but still have some nourishing ingredients that set you up for what is sometimes a stressful day.
The first one is my “real food” take on a Christmas classic. It’s not suitable for vegans or those who can’t eat eggs, but there are some other ideas further down for you.
For all of these smoothies, a high speed blender will give you a frothier, smoother texture than a standard blender.
Egg Nog Smoothie
When I was a kid, egg nog meant a raw egg whisked together with some warm milk, and a dash of sugar. I only recently found out that for most people, it more resembles a runny, alcoholic custard. I’ve never had it, but it sounds delicious. This smoothie is more like my childhood kind, with added vanilla and spices.
• ½ - ¾ cup milk or your favourite milk substitute (I went for cashew milk this time)
• A slosh of cream (optional)
• 2 raw eggs (I recommend free range – pastured - and organic for eating raw)
• ½ a banana ^
• ½ teaspoon honey or other sweetener of choice ^
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence or ½ teaspoon vanilla powder
• ½ teaspoon mixed spice or cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon rum flavoured essence (optional, if you fancy the taste of rum, but with no alcohol. It isn’t a whole food, but it is Xmas, so use your judgement.)
^ I’ve used half a banana plus a tiny bit of honey, to keep the added sugar low. You can taste the banana a little, so if you’d rather not taste banana, use all honey. Or if you prefer no added sugar, use the whole banana – you will still be able to taste the spice.
This recipe is all about making Christmas easy, so we’re not making a custard or separating the eggs. We’re just going to bung it all in the blender, zizz it up for 30 seconds or so, till it’s frothy.
Pimp your egg nog smoothie
• If you’re in a cold part of the world, heat your milk up first, so your drink is warm.
• If you really want to do it the “right” way, and either cook your eggs into a custard, or separate them out to get added froth, here are a couple of links that will give you some tips. A hot custardy version or a cold frothy version
• If you feel like adding some alcohol, the traditional additions seem to be rum, brandy and/or bourbon. I think I’d prefer advocaat, which is already egg nog flavoured, and is known as one of the ingredients in a Fluffy Duck. Or maybe Baileys, but I’m a bit softcore.
• If I choose this for my Xmas breakfast, I will probably add some supplements. Sigh, yes, I really am that boring, though I have got a bottle of chocolate Baileys that I’ve earmarked for later on Xmas Day. I usually go for:
o 2 Tablespoons protein powder of choice (I Like Great Lakes collagen hydrolysate)
o A few drops of liquid minerals
o A few drops of liquid B vitamins (in case I break open the Baileys later on)
• There is one more variation for the hard core Paleo or GAPS folks out there – forget all the added extras, just throw a mug of hot chicken broth and your 2 raw eggs into the blender, blend, and drink it down like a real caveman or woman.
“Mocha with a twist” smoothie
I’m a bit strange - I love the smell of coffee but don’t like the taste. The only way I can have coffee is as a mochaccino, and it must be early in the day. (Or occasionally as a party drug if I’m really tired but have to stay awake.) So, I started wondering what a mocha would be like with some Christmas flavours added, and some protein to make it more sustaining. Here’s the result.
• ½ cup hot, black, double strength coffee
• ½ cup milk or your favourite milk substitute (can be warmed as well, for a hotter drink)
• Slosh of cream (optional)
• 1 teaspoon honey (or other sweetener of your choice)
• 1 tsp cocoa or carob powder
• 1 tsp vanilla essence or ½ tsp vanilla powder
• 1 tsp mixed spice (or cinnamon mixed with a little nutmeg)
• Some protein of your choice. We tested it with 2 Tablespoons of almond butter for the vegetarians amongst you, and it worked nicely. I usually go with a couple of Tablespoons of collagen hydrolysate and a couple of raw eggs. Or add a serve of your favourite protein powder – if it’s a chocolate flavoured powder, omit the cocoa powder.
Blend together everything except the hot coffee. Add the coffee, blend again and serve immediately. Then you’ve had your morning coffee, plus some calories to help you through to the big lunch. (This is maybe the anti-bulletproof-coffee, with protein instead of just fat.)
Pina Colada smoothie
This recipe was created by the Coconut Mama – original recipe here – and I’ve tweaked a few bits.
• 1 400ml can coconut milk
• 1 can crushed pineapple in juice, drained OR 1.25 cups of fresh pineapple, chopped
• 1 banana, chopped
• 2 teaspoons honey
• Your protein addition of choice: 2-4 egg yolks, preferably pasture raised and/or 2-4 tablespoons gelatin hydrolysate, or substitute your favourite unflavoured protein powder
• Feel free to slosh in a little of that rum flavoured essence if you want to pretend you’re on a tropical island drinking the real thing.
• Or add in supplements of your choice
Blend all ingredients together until smooth. Serve immediately. Unlike the other recipes, this one serves two.
The original recipe calls for the banana and pineapple to be frozen. If you live in a hot place, or you just like cold drinks, go for it. On the other hand, if you prefer a warm drink, heat your milk up first.
As a side note, it works well to freeze bananas, if you have more than you can use before they go brown. Just put them whole but peeled, in a ziplock bag, into the freezer. When you want to use them, you don’t need to defrost them, just cut them up frozen and fling them into the blender. All good.
Pumpkin spice smoothie
I know pumpkin is considered more of an autumn treat, but I think one of these would also be a lovely Christmas morning treat. I don’t even have to make one up for you as there are some great ones on Steemit already. Here’s just a few of them:
• From @rebeccaryan
• From @gringalicious
• From @micheletrainer
Once you’ve made your chosen smoothie
Serve it in a fancy mug and sip while:
a. Sitting quietly in front of the Xmas tree
b. Listening to your favourite Xmas music
c. Opening the first round of presents with your nearest and dearest
d. All of the above
Stay sitting for a few minutes and take a few deep breaths. Set the intention that whatever happens, you will be filled with joy, radiating it out to all around you. Now that you’ve taken the time to nourish and centre yourself, you’re ready to face whatever Christmas Day may bring. Go out there, be fabulous and have a wonderful day!
Thanks for reading
Unless otherwise stated, all photos are by @kiwideb or @sift666
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Some of my previous RECIPES AND KITCHEN TIPS:
_ Choc Blackcurrant Smoothie ~ Paleo Cottage Pie ~ Feijoa Pear Smoothie ~ Grain free, dairy free Pumpkin & Cashew Bread ~ Tip for storing ginger & tumeric ~ Grain Free Banana Cashew muffins ~ Warming winter soup ~ Healthy Chocolate & Fudge ~ Jerky with vegetables ~ Breakfast ideas ~ Choco-mallow protein bars ~ Equipment for the real food kitchen ~ Carrot Almond bread ~ Grain free Fruit & Nut bar ~ Vegetable muffins ~ Finger food for a gathering ~ Real food ideas for snacks and road trips ~ Best ever (and easiest) Christmas cake ~ Orange Cranberry Xmas Breakfast Muffins ~ For MORE RECIPES and my 15 step Whole Food cooking course, see my recipe website._
