[Nicole]

Kefir + Banana + Ginger = Happy Belly! 

I love this smoothie in the morning or as a dessert. The kefir is full of probiotics and a good source of protein, bananas are soothing for the stomach lining and feed good bacteria, and ginger is anti inflamatory and stimulates digestion!

1 c plain organic lowfat kefir yogurt
1 ripe banana (sometimes I use 2 for a thicker consistency)
crystalized ginger (I like about 5 cubes)

optional additions: ice, vanilla extract, chai spice, coconut milk, almond milk, spirulina, fresh ground flax seeds, protein powder, etc.

[Nori]

This sounds really tasty, but I wonder why you chose to use the low-fat kefir. 

A possible change for those with banana sensitivities or a desire to eat locally grown food, some cooked sweet potato works very nicely with similar results.   Instead of spirulina, try a handful of raw leafy greens like kale, spinach, chard.  The other ingredients camouflage the green flavor well plus the greens are fresh. 

[Nicole]

I have been lactose intolerant off and on throughout the years, and I was under the imprssion that low-fat versions of dairy were more easily digested by lactose intolerant people than their natural full fat versions. Is this accurate? 

Also, I agree that bananas are far from a locavore's friend, and I have read articles about their destructive harvest and their oil guzzling trips to our grocery store. But lo and behold I had a bunch of bananas sitting on my kitchen counter, eyeing me each morning on my way to work, begging to be used.  So I gave them a purpose! Thanks for the sweet potato suggestion, very creative.

Also, I read that bananas feed good bacteria in the stomach and are soothing to the stomach lining. Do you know of other foods act that in this way?

[CathyS]

i also enjoy smoothies in the morning.

my current favorite:

kale
pear
blueberries (organic frozen)
almond milk
coconut oil
flax oil
hemp seed protein powder

i use a vitamix and place the greens in first at the bottom.

let me know if anyone tries this!