Nutty By Nature Shake

Yes I can be a little nutty, nutty by nature! Ok so no I’m not insane, I do have a few off the wall ideas, but sometimes I get stressed and I feel like I’m going to go nuts! I have realized that there are days that I am able to handle more stress than others and it may have something to do with food. Ok so many that is nuts but really there are foods that can reduce stress on your body, and ones that can reduce stress hormones, ones that calm the mind, and ones that are said to relieve stress. You can think of it the way that if you are stressed and drink coffee thinking it will help you get more done that it may have an opposite effect and cause more stress. I have recently heard that nuts with your coffee so almond or cashew milk lattes can reduce that stress. That’s because these tree nuts are filled with nutrients that can help improve mental health including tryptophan, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids. Cashews are one of my favorite snacks, and I love cashew milk! Craving chocolate? You probably hear all the time that chocolate is good for you and really it is, dark chocolate anyways and of course in moderation. Chocolate reduces cortisol, the stress hormone. So yes I made a shake for when I feel stressed, worst case it doesn’t help I’m still fueling my body with something good and it’s delicious! I actually photographed this one that I made that I whipped up post workout, so I used Vega Performance Protein vs Vega One or Protein Smoothie. You can enjoy it like a nutty chocolate milk, add ice, or if you want it thicker you can add another stress fighting food…. avocado! You don’t taste it and it makes this shake thick, smooth, and very filling. Not a fan you can also add in frozen banana as a thickener, but yes you will taste the banana, but you won’t go bananas! Even if you aren’t stressed, my husband is one of those people who never seems to be stressed and I wish I could just be more like him in that respect, you can’t go wrong with cashews and chocolate! Sip your stress away, if only it were this easy, but I’ll take any help I can get on the crazy stressful days life throws my way.

Nutty By Nature Shake
Makes 1 serving
1c cashew milk, or water (used So Delicious Unsweetened Cashew Milk)
1 scoop chocolate or vanilla protein powder (used Vega Performance Protein, Chocolate)
2 TBSP raw cashews
2-3 TBSP chopped dark chocolate or half Vega Maca Chocolate Bar (used Vega Maca Chocolate Bar)
ice, optional
1/4 avocado or 1/2 frozen banana, optional

In a Vitamix, or high-speed blender, blend together cashew milk and milk. If adding in ice, banana, or avocado, add it now and blend smooth. Add cashews and chocolate and blend to chop for texture or until smooth if desired. Enjoy!
Feeling the holiday stress? Make a Nutty By Nature Shake! @VegaTeam @So_Delicious #SweatPink #vegan Share on X

While I do receive some Vega products from time to time, which I listed as an option in this recipe, I do purchase much of it on my own. It has been my plant-based protein of choice since before I started blogging. Even though most Vega products used are purchased by myself I do add this disclaimer. I do not make any money off any Vega sales or posts. I only write about foods I love, my blog is an extension of my hobby to make fun healthy food creations for me and my family.