Banana Strawberry Recovery Bowl

Nothing tastes better than a delicious, hydrating and nutrient-packed smoothie bowl after a workout. And the best part is, not only does it taste great, but put the right things in it, and a smoothie bowl can be the perfect recovery fuel for your body after exercise!

Rest and recovery is just as important as being active and working out, and I find it's also something overlooked a lot. Without adequate recovery, it can counteract what we worked so hard for during exercise, cause fatigue and mood imbalances, and weaken our immune systems, something I've seen in so many of my clients during my time as a student nutritionist. Two things are essential post-workout: carbohydrates and protein. But the body will also benefit so much more, and the muscles will recover and repair much quicker and better, when they receive the essential nutrients required for their optimal function. One of the most important of these is magnesium.

Magnesium is involved in hundreds of physiological functions and is essential for maintaining normal muscle and nerve function, and has been shown to reduce muscle soreness after exercise and improve sleep. It induces calmness and relaxation, as well as being essential for energy production, blood pressure regulation and insulin metabolism.  Magnesium is also an important nutrient for healthy skin and reducing irritation, lowering our stress hormone (cortisol) response and helping with hormonal balance. Most people don't get enough magnesium in their diet, which can result in muscle cramps, anxiety, low energy and poor recovery from exercise.

To make sure I'm giving my body what it needs to function and feel it's best, I love adding a serve of Vida Glow's Banana Cinnamon Beauty Recovery Powder to my smoothie bowls post-workout, as it contains those important nutrients that support muscle repair and recovery after exercise. It's packed with high quality plant protein, magnesium, as well as a range of micronutrients essential for optimal recovery, such as calcium and potassium.

I'm always wary of supplements and powders, because many tend to make superior health claims yet are actually pretty ordinary, with unnecessary additives and hidden ingredients. However, Vida Glow is anything but that, which I love. Instead it's made from wholesome, nutrient-dense and high quality ingredients, nothing artificial and each having it's unique purpose in the powder to create the perfect post-workout recovery blend. I love banana and I love cinnamon, so this flavour is a big winner for me! 

You can even drink it in water, or a plant-based milk, instead of a smoothie and it still tastes great! Sweet but not too sweet, smooth, makes smoothies fluffy and creamy, and of course gives that delicious banana flavour, with a hint of cinnamon. I gave my Dad a taste and even he gave it the big thumbs up!

So, let's get to the recipe. My go-to breakfast bowl after a hard training session, that's refreshing, hydrating, creamy and super tasty. Perfect for replenishing the body with all it needs to recover and get back stronger!

Don't forget to tag me on Instagram if you try this recipe so I can see your smoothie bowl creation xx

Ingredients:

• 1 - 1.5 frozen bananas
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 2 scoops Vida Glow Banana Cinnamon Beauty Recovery Powder
• 1 tbsp flaxmeal
• 2 tsp hemp seeds
• 1/2 cup coconut water
• toppings of your choice (I used homemade granola and frozen berries)

Method:

1. Add frozen banana, frozen strawberries, Vida Glow powder, flaxmeal, hemp seeds and coconut water to a high-powered blender or food processor
2. Blend until super smooth and creamy. You may have to stop and scrape down the edges!
3. Spoon into your bowl and decorate with your choice of toppings 
4. Enjoy!

Notes:

• Your choice of plant milk can be used in place of coconut water

This post is a collaboration with Vida Glow, however all opinions and recipes remain my own. I only ever promote products I genuinely love and use myself.