Berry Banana Smoothie

Gluten free - grain free - dairy free - refined sugar free - egg free - nut free
    Sometimes, breakfast for me consists of one of these smoothies and a handful of almonds. They also make a great, filling afternoon tea for the kids. I know there are probably thousands of smoothie recipes on the internet...green smoothies seem to be all the craze. All I know is that my kids like smoothies based on banana, with a few other ingredients, and this is the formula I tend to stick to! I use organic frozen berries.  Berries are one category of food that has a high level of pesticides when not organic, and buying frozen organic berries is MUCH cheaper than fresh! 
    This 'recipe' is just a suggestion, really. Be creative with what you have (the 'browner' smoothie pictured below has less berries and more greens)! You can make double and keep half in the fridge for the next day, saving you that precious time.

Mix in a blender or with an upright immersion blender, mix together the following amount per person you are serving:

• 1/2 large banana
• Large handful of fresh or frozen blueberries (or raspberries or strawberries)
• A couple handfuls of fresh baby spinach (it has a really mild flavour so you won't notice it
• 1/2 an avocado (lots of good fat, and makes the smoothie really filling)
• 200 ml milk of choice (almond, rice, coconut, dairy)
  
• Optional:  a couple of heaped spoonfuls of coconut yogurt for some probiotics
  
• Optional sweetener (I personally don't need it): 1 Teaspoon 100% maple syrup, raw honey, or rice malt syrup;  maca powder to taste; or a few drops of liquid stevia.
  
• Optional if you'd like more good fats and satiating content: 2 tablespoons nut butter of choice
• Optional: add a heaped teaspoon of pure fair trade cacao or cocoa powder for some chocolatey antioxidant goodness (you may want to add a little extra sweetener as the cocoa is quite bitter).