Breakfast is the most important meal of the day as it has got the immense power to make or break our day . Making wise food choice and not skipping breakfast will undoubtedly ensure we will have a productive and I-feel-healthy-and-going day .
A good healthy breakfast ensures we get ample strength,apt concentration and also it infact helps in maintaining our healthy weight . Many studies have confirmed that skipping a breakfast doesn't mean no calorie intake but in fact it means more calorie intake later on as a big lunch ,snack or dinner . So,it doesn't help in losing weight but in gaining instead.However, there are times when we are too busy that even though we want to, we tend to skip the breakfast and then there are a few grab-and-go foods that we can prepare ahead or instantly in no time that we would feel guilty next time if you say ,"I don't have time to make breakfast you know." ....
Health is wealth .Period.We have to make time for that before it becomes too late ......
And one such grab-and-go my favorite breakfast item is smoothie...the versatile drink that can be prepared using any fruits of our choice in different combination and whenever I add thick yogurt to it I call it "My Indian Lassi" ....One large glass of Lassi or smoothie is enough to make the day go real smoothieeee ...
One of my all time fave smoothie or Lassi is Banana cocoa ,a healthy combo for sure.
Though they say,"An apple a day,keeps docs away." . Bananas have two times as many carbohydrates as an apple, five times as much Vitamin A and iron and three times as much phosphorus. In addition, bananas are also rich in potassium and natural sugars.(Courtesy:Lifescript.com).
Few other interesting benefits:
- It provides natural energy and aids in performance and concentration.
- It has got the mood enhancing properties and therefore are a boon for depression sufferers.
- It is also helpful for ladies if they suffer from monthly cramps .
- It helps in replenishing the vitamins and reduce the hangovers as well.
- The B vitamins and other minerals that they contain reduce the physical and psychological effects of nicotine withdrawal and so helps those who are quitting smoking.
- It helps pregnant women to combat morning sickness,replenish the body and restore the healthy blood glucose level.
- It helps in preventing ulcers by neutralizing the acidity in the body.
- It improves the iron level in the body by promoting hemoglobin production so that blood can clot faster in case of a cut or serious injury.
- The banana peel can be used to soothe the mosquito bites and also to remove any warts on the body.Similarly they can be also used as a good fertilizer.
cocoa
demonstrates significant benefits for the cardiovascular system,
helping to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, reduce the risk
of high blood pressure, and even reduce the risk of cancer. Furthermore,
cocoa consumption is associated with reduced cognitive decline in old
age. - See more at:
http://www.medicinehunter.com/cocoa-health-miracle#sthash.CZY1gGcA.dpuf
cocoa
demonstrates significant benefits for the cardiovascular system,
helping to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, reduce the risk
of high blood pressure, and even reduce the risk of cancer. Furthermore,
cocoa consumption is associated with reduced cognitive decline in old
age. - See more at:
http://www.medicinehunter.com/cocoa-health-miracle#sthash.CZY1gGcA.dpuf
cocoa
demonstrates significant benefits for the cardiovascular system,
helping to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, reduce the risk
of high blood pressure, and even reduce the risk of cancer. Furthermore,
cocoa consumption is associated with reduced cognitive decline in old
age. - See more at:
http://www.medicinehunter.com/cocoa-health-miracle#sthash.CZY1gGcA.dpuf
cocoa
demonstrates significant benefits for the cardiovascular system,
helping to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, reduce the risk
of high blood pressure, and even reduce the risk of cancer. Furthermore,
cocoa consumption is associated with reduced cognitive decline in old
age. - See more at:
http://www.medicinehunter.com/cocoa-health-miracle#sthash.CZY1gGcA.dpuf
So, an easy breezy healthy drink made of these two super miracle food items is always under my "Must have" breakfast menu .
Banana Cocoa Smoothie
Ingredients
Banana ,peeled,chopped- 1 no.
Honey/Sugar- 2 teaspoons
Low fat milk - 1 1/2 cup
Yogurt- 1/4 cup
Cocoa powder - 2 teaspoons
Ice cubes (optional)
Method:
Put everything in a blender or juicer and pulse it until you get the desired smooth consistency .Serve cold and immediately (for fresh taste) .Sprinkle the cocoa powder on top .Note:
- For a sweet lassi ,add more sugar if the Banana is not that ripe and more yogurt as well.
- For making a thinner drink add more milk,less yogurt and more ice cubes.
So,next time if you have ripe bananas sitting on your counter tops and you plan to trash them,DON'T..instead embrace them and turm them into such healthy smoothies....
Cheers to a good health,