Raspberry-Banana Oat and Chia Seed Smoothie

I haven't entirely jumped aboard the chia seed bandwagon, but even if they're not the universal panacea as has been suggested, I don't mind taking advantage of the omega-3 acids, fiber, iron, calcium, protein, vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants that chia seeds provide. Apart from delightful chia seed puddings, chia seeds are easy to incorporate in smoothies, which I frequently enjoy for a healthy, easy-to-digest and quick and easy no-cook breakfast pick-me-up. And since chia seeds benefit from the same soaking and fermentation method that make the proteins in rolled oats digestible, they're a simple addition to the oat and yogurt mixture that I prepare the night before my smoothie in a variation of the traditional muesli technique — simply stir oats and chia seeds into plain whole-fat yogurt and leave overnight at room temperature, and the next morning you've got a nourishing, tangy and delicious base for adding any variation of fruits and natural sweeteners to make a smoothie.

This combination of yogurt, oats, chia seeds, raspberries and bananas makes for a particularly refreshing and substantial breakfast smoothie — so tasty, in fact, that it felt like I was drinking a fresh dessert!

Raspberry-Banana Oat and Chia Seed Smoothie

Recipe by Lisa Turner Published on May 5, 2013 Wholesome, refreshing and delicious breakfast or snack smoothie made with oats, yogurt, raspberries and bananas with a dose of nourishing chia seeds Preparation: 10 minutes Print this recipe Ingredients: 1/2 cup rolled or steel-cut oats 1 tablespoon chia seeds 1 cup plain whole fat yogurt 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen red raspberries 1/2 banana, chopped 1/2 cup whole milk 1 tablespoon honey 4 ice cubes Instructions: Stir the yogurt into the oats and chia seeds. Let soak overnight at room temperature in a covered non-plastic bowl. In the morning, blend the soaked oats together with all the other ingredients in a blender until smooth and frothy. Add more honey if desired. Makes 6 cups or 3 to 4 servings

Other smoothies you will enjoy:
Oat-Mango Smoothie with Blackberries
Blueberry and Maple Syrup Oat Smoothie
Pomegranate & Blueberry Oat Smoothie