Tofu Smoothie?

You read that correctly. This post is about a tofu smoothie! At first, this idea of adding a coagulated, fermented, soy bean curd into a delicious, refreshing, sweet smoothie seems strange. Adding a layer of creamy thickness, the tofu in the smoothie will enhance the texture while also adding protein! 

Ingredients:

• 6 oz. soft/silken tofu                  ($0.99)
• 6 oz. coconut milk                     ($0.26)
• 1 handful of baby spinach         ($0.12)
• 1 whole organic banana            ($0.11)
• 5 organic strawberries              ($0.43)
• 2 tbsp. chia seeds                     ($0.32)

Colorful and tasty ingredients

Packed with protein and loaded with lots of vitamins, this tofu smoothie is quick and easy to make. Smoothies are a great addition to breakfast, but also taste great after dinner as a dessert. 

Did you know?

Chia seeds are the new thing. It seems every nutritionist or health nut is up in arms about all of the health benefits and amazing facts about this tiny little seed. They are all correct. Chia seeds are amazing. Salvia hispanica is a flowering plant in the mint family and is native to southern Mexico and Guatemala. Our word chia comes from the Nahuatl word for oily: chian. Seeds from this annual herb have been cultivated since the ancient times of Aztec civilization. The colors are muddled; some are black, others white, brown, or gray. The white seeds are more rare, only occurring once in every ten seeds. This has driven the demand for the white seeds up and they cost more than black chia seeds. Nutritionally, the seeds are the same, but our society values ridiculous rarity and aesthetics over common sense. 

Chia flowers

Ancient Aztec cultivating the chia plant

According to the USDA, nutrition facts for these power packed seeds are: one ounce (28 grams) contains 9 grams fat, 5 mg sodium, 11 grams dietary fiber, and 4 grams protein, and a long list of vitamins and minerals. Good for the heart and blood pressure, these seeds contain omega-3 long-chain fatty acids. Right about now, you are probably thinking you have heard of chia seeds before. You are correct. 

REMEMBER THESE?!?

Chia seeds from chia pets are indeed the same seeds that are now marketed as a super food. If only you had eaten those seeds back when you were growing Garfield, or Bart Simpson out of a clay pot with salvia hispanica.