Today we're welcoming nutritionist, photographer and blogger, Anise Thorogood, of Love and Garnish to share a perfectly delicious smoothie for those late night wedding planning sessions.

"Late nights of DIY projects and pinning wedding ideas is oh so common for most brides. That "last" hour on Pinterest somehow turned into 2am and your now on your 3rd round of homemade wooden signs. Most say they are too busy to eat and while they think this may be good for the waistline, having something that sustains their energy throughout the day is far more beneficial for the brain and waistline. When you don't feed your body the needed carbs, protein and fats, it goes into starvation mode and stores anything you do eat in fear of when the next meal is. Choosing something like a smoothie that can combine all three of these things easily is ideal for the bride-to-be!"

For this smoothie, I chose oats for soluble fiber to slow down digestion and keep you full longer. Cherries help remove toxins from the tissues; something that can accumulate from stress. Maca powder is a bride's best friend as it helps balance hormones and provides a source of natural energy for those long days. The almond butter provides healthy fats as well as protein and is a high source of calcium - no cows milk needed! The hemp seeds offer protein and by soaking them beforehand and blending them with a bit of water and almond milk, it turns the hemp seeds into a cream for a rich and decadent smoothie. You should soak all grains, beans and nuts to get rid of anti-nutrients such as phytic acid, which blocks mineral absorption and enzyme inhibitors, which block digestion. Nuts also contain oxalic acid, which can block calcium assimilation and lead to kidney stones. Soaking them overnight and straining the water the next morning before eating or cooking them can easily remedy this. And do I even need to explain why I used cacao?! Because it's awesome!

Grocery List

  1. 1 cup of cherries
  2. 1 cup soaked hemp seeds