Strawberry Mango Banana Smoothie with White Tea

Strawberries, mangoes, and bananas top the list of my favorite fruits. Here is an excellent replacement for a breakfast that might be too carb-heavy or too time consuming. You can fix this smoothie quickly before leaving for work in the morning. With the added Greek yogurt, this delicious  smoothie is packed with antioxidants and protein. It  both fills you up and provides an energy boost. This smoothie recipe has enough natural sugars to wake you up, as well as protein and fiber to sustain you til you break for a healthy mid-morning snack.

(The best Greek Yogurt EVER)

Ingredients:

1  White Tea bag steeped in1/3 cup of hot water

1/2 cup of almond milk

1 banana and 1/2 diced mango (frozen is fine - and more convenient)

1/2 cup of frozen or fresh strawberries

1/2 cup of low fat plain Chobani yogurt

1 scoop of vanilla flavored protein powder, if desired

1 teaspoon of honey

Strawberry Mango Banana Smoothie

Directions:

Heat approximately 1/3 cup hot water in the microwave and steep the White Tea bag while preparing other ingredients for your breakfast smoothie. Ideally the tea should be cooled somewhat before you add it to your smoothie. Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.

If you're serving this to others at home and not on your way out the door to work garnish  the rim of your glass with a strawberry if desired.

Why the White Tea?

The simple answer: Lots of Antioxidants

Here's how you can benefit from white tea and the antioxidants it contains:

• Antioxidants are nutrients that protect the body from damage by free radicals.
• Flavonoids, a class of antioxidants, inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent the development of new ones.
• White tea can thin the blood and improve artery function. It helps lower high blood pressure, guarding against the chances of a stroke.
• Catechins, another group of antioxidants, have been found to reduce cholesterol, and white tea is full of these. This helps prevent hardening of the arteries and poor blood flow.
• Studies show that people who drink 2 or more cups of tea a day are almost 50% less likely to die after suffering a heart attack.
• The antioxidants in white tea strengthen the entire immune system helping to ward off bacteria and viruses.