Ombre Green Buckwheat Smoothie (V,GF)

Breakfast has got to be my most favorite meal of the day! Not only does a nourishing breakfast set the tone for the rest of your day, but it will also provide your body with the nutrients and energy it needs to thrive and function optimally.

When it comes to nutritious breakfast options (that taste ridiculously good as well!), buckwheat smoothies sit at the top of my list. Buckwheat comes with a whole host of incredible health benefits such as lowering inflammation, helping to improve digestion, reducing LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels, and preventing illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer (1). It is also gluten-free, high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and is a source of complete plant-based protein. You can read more about these amazing health benefits in my previous posts here and here.

All that aside, buckwheat smoothies yield a smooth and creamy texture that is hard to beat! All you have to do is soak raw buckwheat groats overnight or up to 24 hours, rinse and drain them properly to remove the slimy texture, and throw them in the blender with non-dairy milk, dates, nut/seed butter, etc. for one of the most delicious and healthy brekkies out there! I like to add a teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar when soaking the seeds since it helps reduce the enzyme inhibitors and phytic acid that can impair digestion and absorption of minerals.

On weekends I like to make my breakfast more of a treat! So quite often I prepare a chocolaty version of buckwheat smoothie like these decadent Chocolate Bowls or serve it with berries or a berry sauce like these Warm Raspberry Buckwheat Smoothies. During the week, however, I try to include more plants and veggies into my meals. So buckwheat smoothies on a weekday would ideally look like this 😉

I used a scoop of Genuine Health’s vegan greens+ O unflavored which was added gradually to create an ombre effect, just for fun 😀 Greens+ is a potent superfood formula containing a FULL spectrum of phytonutrients contributing to a healthy gut, supporting liver function and a healthy brain, boosting mood and energy, balancing hormones, and building your immune system among many other remarkable benefits. If you’d like to try this wondrous superfood, you can order it here.

Have you tried adding buckwheat to your smoothies? What is your favorite way to serve buckwheat? Leave me a comment and let me know! And if you try any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @nutriholist on Instagram or Facebook so I could see and share your creations. XO

Ombre Green Buckwheat Smoothie Recipe

Serves 2

Ingredients

1 cup raw buckwheat groats
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (for soaking)
1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk of choice (almond, coconut, hemp, etc.)
3-4 large medjool dates, pitted
2 tablespoons tahini
1 scoop Genuine Health vegan greens+ O unflavored

Directions

Cover buckwheat groats with warm water, add apple cider vinegar and let it soak for 7-24 hours on the countertop
Drain and fully rinse the buckwheat groats using a large strainer. Add them to the blender along with the rest of smoothie ingredients except the greens+ powder and blend until smooth and creamy {See Note}
To create the ombre effect: Pour 1/4 of the smoothie mixture into the two serving glasses. To the blender add 1/4 of a scoop of the greens+ powder and blend until fully combined. Pour 1/3 of this light green mixture into the two glasses gently on top of the previous layer
Add 1/2 of the remaining scoop of the greens+ powder to the blender, blend, and gently pour another layer on top. Repeat with the remaining powder and blend to get the darkest shade of green. Pour the final layer on top and serve with coconut flakes, berries, and a drizzle of tahini if desired!

NOTE: If you’re in a rush or don’t care about making pretty ombre smoothies, you can add the whole scoop of greens+ powder at the beginning (step 2), blend until smooth, and enjoy!