This Cherry Cashew Butter Smoothie is a creamy combination of tart and sweet. Healthy fats, protein from greek yogurt, and a boost of antioxidants from tart red cherries.
I’m back after a week long at home watching HP with my younger bro (and forcing anyone one else coming/going to watch) and cuddling with the puppies. We’re kicking off the last Tuesday of 2015 (?) with this scrumptious Cherry Cashew Butter Smoothie. And my body can certainly use the extra boost of antioxidants this week. Let’s be real for a moment : I ate a ton of cookies last week, and didn’t really keep up my normal healthy-eating routine otherwise. And I’m not mad about it. <“Old Ashley” gasps> Yeah… I’m okay with it. Last year I probably would have tried to avoid overeating sweets, but fail miserably and the tiny bit of guilt would kick in. And I would probably then swear off all the sweets for at least a week and try to eat less. This year? I ate the sweets, and allowed myself to not worry about it afterwards. I think I’m finally to the point where I’m done with the guilt trips. Feeding my body nutritious meals is what makes me happy and keeps me feeling good. But cookies make me freaking happy too, damnit. I can be a nutritious food-loving human being and love the not-so-good-for-you decadent sweets, too. I can be all about health and fitness, but also tell you to go eat some damn ice cream if you feel like it. Okay, I’ll stop this little victory rant for now, but there might be more coming in the future. Just to warn you ?
So on to this smoothie!
It’s got some tart cherries in it.
DID YOU KNOW… that cherries are pretty awesome? Here are just SOME of their benefits:
Support healthy sleep (natural source of melatonin)
Reduce inflammation (helping combat muscle soreness)
Antioxidant protection (important for fighting off free radicals which contribute to heart disease, cancer, and other diseases)
And I told you all how I was giving my family cashew butter for Christmas. Well, I did. And SUCCESS. I think they all loved it. But after each batch I would have a bit left over that didn’t quite fit into the jars I was using. So it was a “one for you, one for me” kind of deal. Obviously I’m not complaining.
I think I’m declaring 2016 THE YEAR OF THE CASHEW. You heard it here first, folks.
Cherry Cashew Butter Smoothie
This Cherry Cashew Butter Smoothie is a creamy combination of tart & sweet. Healthy fats, protein from greek yogurt, and antioxidants from cherries.
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/2 small banana, frozen
- 1/2 cup dark red cherries, frozen
- 1/3 cup greek yogurt (I use plain 2%)
- 1 TBS cashew butter
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cashew milk (or milk of choice)
- *optional add-ins:
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- favorite protein powder
- 1/4 cup oats
Instructions
- In a small blender, or NutirBullet, add all ingredients and blend until smooth.
Notes
*I keep frozen banana chunks in freezer for smoothies. If you don’t have frozen bananas, you may use fresh bananas and add about one cup of ice if you’d like a thicker texture. Adjust liquid to desired consistency.
*Feel free to use vanilla yogurt if you prefer a sweeter shake, just note that carb and sugar count will change.
*Adjust liquid according to desired consistency. I always start with less, then add more depending on how thick or thin I’d like my smoothie.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 248
- Sugar: 19
- Sodium: 104
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 10
SO… How is everyone doing after the holidays?!
Are you giving yourself a break from the self-imposed crap this year?
Have you learned that it is OKAY to indulge, and not feel bad about it? It’s taken me a while, but I think I’m there ?
Have a great Tuesday, friends!
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Looking for more recipes with CASHEW BUTTER?
Paleo Coconut Flour Banana Bread
Vegan No-Bake Gingerbread Protein Bars
Blueberry Coconut Oat Energy Balls
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Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
I love the creamy texture of cashew butter. I haven’t tried it in a smoothie though. I’ll have to give this a whirl because anything cherry is the bomb!
Ashley says
It’s so good Megan! I’m thinking you’ll love it! 🙂
Georgie says
Duuuuuuuuuude this looks awesome. I know I say that with every recipe but the cashew cherry combo is just genius. I can’t wait to get home and make this. Smoothies with cherries are my favorite. They have the best texture when they’re frozen <3
Ashley says
Haha, most of the time I think my combos are just kind of weird, but I am glad you find them “genius” 😉 Cashew EV-ERY-THANG coming full force in 2016.
Emma {Emma's Little Kitchen} says
Lush idea, I am consuming buckets of frozen cherries to keep marathon training inflammation at bay!
Ashley says
Oh good luck with your training! Hopefully the cherries bring you come relief 😀
rachel @ athletic avocado says
I need to get more cashew butter or make it because that stuff is my fav nut butter of all time! This smoothie looks amazing, I love cherries in my smoothies 🙂
Ashley says
MAKE IT. So freaking good. 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I totally just devoured the jar of TJs cashew butter I got! I never tried TJs, but totally loving it! (homemade is still fantastic though!)
Ashley says
Oh I bet TJ’s is pretty tasty. I only just started seeing Target carry it in their Simply Balanced line. Perfect for when I’m in a pinch.
Beverley @ sweaty&fit says
haha just SO MUCH CASHEW BUTTER. those cherries look so tart and juicy, definitely haven’t seen those around here recently 🙁 and glad you managed to eat your sweets and not worry about it. I think that’s something we all have to work on and learn to be okay with 🙂
Ashley says
Frozen store-bought! I probably should have stocked up when they were in season though. Ah well, we make do. The indulgence guilt-trip balance is definitely an internal struggle, but something I am getting better at each day <3 Thanks, Beverley!
Jess @hellotofit says
Oh you bet I indulged last week haha. Between the drinks at the beach and sweets at home, I felt so so squishy coming back. I meal prepped all lunches for the week, and Ray and I have a goal of eating out only on weekends and/or special occasions 🙂 let’s see how long it lasts, ha!
BTW this smoothie looks so so good! I love cherries..fresh, in cakes, ice cream, and even healthy smoothies like this one 😉
Ashley says
SQUISHY is the perfect way to describe how I felt as well, lol.Definitely craving greens left and right lately! But that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy a little ice cream after dinner with the hubs the other night 😉
Emilie @ Emilie Eats says
Gosh that cashew butter just looks so damn creamy!! Yeah I might’ve eaten (or definitely ate) 5 gingerbread cookies on Christmas, but I don’t regret any one of them. Life is all about balance – it’s taken me a long time to accept that, but it’s so good when you finally do!
Ashley says
Can definitely relate to that! Glad you are realizing at a younger age than I did 😉
Doreen says
I’m ready to try this!
jill conyers says
I shared every where! It looks too good not to. Now, if you don’t mind, can you have one ready for me to enjoy after hot yoga this morning? That would be fabulous!
Happy almost 2016!
Ashley says
Thanks so much for sharing Jill! Cheers to 2016, Happy New Year!