Contributed by Gena Hamshaw, from Choosing Raw ^[1]. Typically in raw circles, expressions like “power food” refer to Himalayan berries and maca powder and deep sea algae. What I mean by it is pretty simple: foods that are nutrient dense, easy to assimilate, and that give me a boost of energy and focus. Per this post ^[2], those foods can be as straightforward and everyday as kale or winter squash. Lately, my superfoods of choice have included all of the original ten I mentioned in my “super foods” post ^[2], but the focus has been on dark leafy greens, hemp, chia, and nutritional yeast. Oftentimes, I find myself blending all or a few of those into a killer morning smoothie.

Serves 1

• 1 large frozen banana
• 1/2 cup frozen mango (OK, full disclosure: I’m really not a mango fan.
  But that’s the only frozen fruit you can find at Gristede’s at
  7 am on a Saturday. I think pears or berries would be great here, too)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
• 1 cup almond milk (maybe slightly less, if you have a high speed blender)
• 5 large romaine leaves (my new favorite way to cozy up to green smoothies!)

Place all ingredients in a blender, blend, and serve.

Let’s step back for a second to analyze the ingredients, and what makes them so powerful:

• Our hemp and chia seeds give us Omega 3 and 5 fatty acids, complete protein, fiber, and calcium;
• Mango and banana load us up with vitamins B-2 and C, fresh enzymes, potassium, and magnesium;
• While the romaine is responsible for vitamins C, A, K, and folate. Rounded out with the almond milk, this is a seriously nutritious breakfast.

Gena Hamshaw is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist with an emphasis on plant-based nutrition. She works with clients in New York and around the country to find simple, affordable, and lasting steps towards a healthier lifestyle. Visit her at Choosing Raw. ^[1] 

• Enjoy more of VegKitchen’s fruit smoothies. ^[3]