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    Home » Drinks » Vanilla Spice Adaptogenic Smoothie (With Ashwagandha)

    updated: January 9, 2023

    Vanilla Spice Adaptogenic Smoothie (With Ashwagandha)

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy page for details.

    This Vanilla Spice Adaptogenic Smoothie with Ashwagandha offers a rich vanilla flavour coupled with warming notes of cinnamon and allspice.

    A cream coloured smoothie in a milk bottle with the tip of a white and grey straw peaking above the rim.

    *Nutrition Disclaimer: Although Michelle holds certification in Holistic Nutrition, Yoga and Energy Medicine, the health, fitness and nutritional information provided on this site is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please read our disclaimers page for more information.

    There's nothing like a healthy smoothie to kick off the day, especially during rushed mornings! However, slurping back cooling smoothies on nippy mornings isn't always beneficial. Thanks to the cinnamon and allspice in this Vanilla Smoothie, it offers warming notes to balance out those cooling effects.

    Two vanilla cream coloured smoothies in milk bottle jars with striped straws sitting front of a linen cloth and a bunch of ripe bananas.

    How is this Vanilla Spice Adaptogenic Smoothie Healthy?

    This Vanilla Spice Adaptogenic Smoothie is made with simple, whole-food ingredients that offer many health benefits. However, the star of this smoothie is the adaptogen, Ashwagandha powder (along with vanilla to make it taste delicious)!

     What is Ashwagandha Powder?

    Ashwagandha powder is made from the root of an evergreen that grows in Asia and Africa. It has long been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine and is most widely known for its adaptogenic properties.

    How do Adaptogens Work in the body?

    Adaptogens are a growing trend in the health and wellness community. They are most known for their stress-busting ability. But how do they actually work in the body?

    Stress-Busting

    Adaptogens help to stabilize our stress response. This is due to properties that help regulate and balance the hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal glands. When we encounter a stressor, these glands pump out certain hormones that allow our bodies to respond. This usually happens in three stages; alarm, resistance, and finally, exhaustion.

    The alarm stage activates our sympathetic nervous system and begins to pump out adrenaline. So long as we don't get stuck in the alarm response, we then enter the resistance stage, allowing us to combat our stressor. This can make us feel more energized, focused, and clear-minded. Then eventually, we enter the exhaustion phase, needing to give the body some rest.

    Basically, adaptogens help the body to move into and remain in the resistance stage for longer periods of time. They can also reduce the amount the exhaustion we feel afterward.

    More Benefits of Adaptogens

    Studies show that adaptogens can also positively affect other aspects of our health. This is mainly due to the trickle-down effect of balancing our stress response. However, each adaptogenic plant contains unique properties that can offer various other health benefits. For now, here's a list of some general benefits adaptogens can potentially provide.

    • Improve Immune Function
    • Improve Mood
    • Increase Overall Energy
    • Boost Libido
    • Improve Cognition
    • Neuroprotective Properties
    • Reduce Inflammation
    A jar filled with a creamy vanilla smoothie with a straw placed in, sitting in front of another smoothie in a jar, a bowl of ashwagandha powder and a bunch of bananas.

    More Nutritional Benefits this Vanilla Smoothie Provides

    Warming

    As mentioned above, the cinnamon and allspice offer a warming effect. Cold smoothies and drinks can dampen digestion and leave us feeling chilled in the cooler months. Adding some warming spices helps stoke that much-needed fire in the belly, keeping the digestive system functioning optimally. These spices can also help the body retain warmth on those chilly days.

    Immune-Supporting

    Cinnamon and allspice are not only warming but also offer many immune-supporting benefits. They contain antiviral and antibacterial properties that help keep those pesky cold and flu bugs at bay!

    Heart Healthy

    Thanks to potassium-rich bananas, stress-busting ashwagandha, and cholesterol-lowering vanilla, this Smoothie can also be beneficial to heart health.

    Mood-Boosting

    I mentioned above that Ashwagandha can have a positive effect on mood. But did you know vanilla is also a mood booster? Vanilla can increase neurotransmitter function, enhancing serotonin and dopamine production (our feel-good hormones).

    Two milk jars filled with vanilla smoothies diagonally placed in front of a white linen cloth.

    Seasonal Benefits

    Autumn - Spring

    I tend to stay away from smoothies during the cooler months, especially in winter. However, this Vanilla Spice Adaptogenic Smoothie is one of the only smoothies you will find me slurping back in lower temperatures. For one, it's because of the warmth cinnamon and allspice provide. But also because ashwagandha can help the body adapt to the physical stress of the cold.

    Late Summer

    My favourite time to enjoy this smoothie is late summer to early autumn when the winter wind is just starting to hit that summer air. With its sweet vanilla taste and cooling banana, combined with a touch of warmth, it feels like the perfect balance for the season's change.

    How to Make a Vanilla Spice Smoothie with Ashwagandha

    This Vanilla Spice Adaptogenic Smoothie is incredibly easy to make! As with most smoothies, it only takes a minute to whip up. And other than the Ashwagandha powder, it doesn't require any exotic or hard-to-find ingredients.

    A creamy, vanilla smoothie in a single-serve milk jar with a striped straw sticking out to the right, sitting front and centre of the ingredients and linen cloth.

    Equipment You Will Need

    • Blender

    Ingredients You Will Need

    • Ripe Banana
    • Vanilla Extract (I used Java Sisters Vanilla)
    • Ashwagandha Powder
    • Milk (I like using Almond or Tigernut)
    • Cinnamon
    • Allspice
    • Cardamom

    The lists above contain affiliate and sponsored links where I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you (some links may provide you with a discount). Please see my disclaimers and privacy policy for more details.

    Step 1 - Add Ingredients To Blender

    To make your Vanilla Spice Adaptogenic Smoothie, simply place all the ingredients in your blender jug. For the smoothest blend, I find adding the milk first is best. Then break a banana in half or cut it into chunks and toss it in. Next, add the ashwagandha powder, cinnamon, allspice, and cardamom.

    A blender jug filled with a ripe banana, milk and cinnamon spices, sitting in the middle of a linen cloth, a bunch of bananas and a bottle of vanilla extract.

    How Much Vanilla Extract To Put In A Smoothie?

    If you're wondering how much vanilla extract should go in a smoothie, it really depends on how much you're making and how strong of a vanilla flavour you prefer.

    Since Vanilla is the main flavour in this smoothie, and because it does a wonderful job balancing ashwagandha's earthy, bitter taste, I like to use a generous amount. For one smoothie, I find a half teaspoon does the trick. That being said, I prefer to use Java Sisters Vanilla because their vanilla extract comes with the bean in! This gives it a stronger, more robust flavour, almost like you are using the bean itself. (Sponsered links)

    If you prefer an even stronger vanilla flavour, you could use up to one teaspoon. However, I wouldn't recommend any more than that (unless you are making a big batch of smoothies).

    Step 2 - Blend

    Once you've added all the ingredients into your blender jug, simply blend it until smooth. I usually give it a good thirty seconds. However, you can blend longer if your blender isn't very powerful. I should note, blending longer can result in a warm smoothie. So, you can always use a frozen banana or an ice cube or two if needed.

    A freshly blended vanilla smoothie still in the blender jug with frothy bubbles on the top.

    Step 3 - Enjoy!

    Once your Vanilla Smoothie is fully blended, pour it into your favourite smoothie cup or travel tumbler and enjoy!

    You can also top your smoothie with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon and a few banana slices if you want to get fancy.

    THIS RECIPE IS...


    • Warming
    • Immune-Supporting
    • Heart Healthy
    • Mood-Boosting
    • Anti-Inflammatory
    • Simple and Quick

    More Nourishing Smoothies

    • Healthy Chocolate PB Banana Smoothie (No Added Sugar)
    • Avocado & Moringa Green Smoothie (Nutrient Rich, Lactogenic)
    • Healthy Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie (without milk)
    • Healthy Pineapple Smoothie
    • Cinnamon Berry & Beetroot Smoothie Bowl (Raw, Vegan)
    Two creamy, vanilla smoothies sitting diagonally with striped straws and linen cloth draped in the background.

    If you try this Vanilla Spice Adaptogenic Smoothie, let me know how it turns out by leaving a comment and/or a rating below! And make sure you're following along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for more wildly nutritious recipes!

    A cream coloured smoothie in a milk bottle with the tip of a white and grey straw peaking above the rim.

    Vanilla Spice Adaptogenic Smoothie

    Recipe By : Michelle McCowan
    No ratings yet
    This Vanilla Spice Adaptogenic Smoothie with Ashwagandha offers a rich vanilla flavour coupled with warming notes of cinnamon and allspice.
    Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Dietary DF, GF, Soy Free, Vegan
    Season(s) Autumn, Harvest, Spring, Winter
    Difficulty Easy
    Yield 1 Smoothie / 16 oz

    Equipment

    • Blender

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup Milk (I like using Tigernut)
    • 1 ripe Banana
    • ½ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract (I like using Java Sisters Vanilla)
    • ¼ teaspoon Ashwagandha Powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
    • 1 Dash Allspice
    • 1 Dash Ground Cardamom

    Instructions
     

    • Place all the ingredients in your blender jug. For the smoothest blend, I find adding the milk first is best. Then break a banana in half or cut it into chunks and toss it in. Next, add the ashwagandha powder, cinnamon, allspice, and cardamom.
    • Once you've added all the ingredients into your blender jug, simply blend it until smooth. I usually give it a good thirty seconds. However, you can blend longer if your blender isn't very powerful. I should note, blending longer can result in a warm smoothie. So, you can always use a frozen banana or an ice cube or two if needed.
    • Once your Vanilla Smoothie is fully blended, pour it into your favourite smoothie cup or travel tumbler and enjoy!
      You can also top your smoothie with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon and a few banana slices if you want to get fancy!

    Watch the Video!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 16oz | Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 397mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 408IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 319mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    Total Servings : 1
    HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?We love seeing your Beet of the Wild creations! Tag @beetofthewild on Instagram & use the hashtag #beetofthewild

    Acupuncture Research. Acupuncture and the Nervous System. https://www.morningsideacupuncturenyc.com/blog/acupuncture-and-the-nervous-system

    Lei Russel, J. (2007) TCM Foods Cooking with the Five Elements A Reference Guide. J. Lei Russell, Delaware.

    Murray, M., Pizzorno, J., Pizzorno, L. (2005) The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods. Atria Books, New York.

    Posted by Michelle McCowan on January 9, 2023 Filed Under: All Recipes, Autumn Recipes, Breakfast Recipes, Drinks, Featured Recipes, Gluten-Free Recipes, Oil Free Recipes, Spring Recipes, Summer Recipes, Vegan & Dairy-Free Recipes, Winter Recipes

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    Welcome, Wild One!

    I'm Michelle,
    the recipe developer and photographer behind Beet of the Wild. I have an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a passion for all things health and wellness. I'm a huge believer in returning to our wild roots through simple, slow and natural living. With education in Holistic Nutrition, Elemental Yoga and Energy Medicine, my goal is to provide the utmost delicious and nutritious recipes, along with up-to-date wellness tips and information to keep you living your most vibrant life! Read More…

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    If there’s one smoothie you’ll find me slurpin If there’s one smoothie you’ll find me slurping back in lower temperatures, it’s this Vanilla Spice Adaptogenic Smoothie 😋
 
Thanks to the warming notes of cinnamon and allspice, it's great for those chilly mornings. However, it’s the rich vanilla flavour that makes it so irresistible!

Especially when using @javasistersvanilla Vanilla Extract. It comes with the bean in, which gives it a stronger, more robust flavour, almost like you are using the bean itself! So. Dang. Delicious 👏

Add some extra lavishness and warmth to your smoothie by topping it with a sprinkle of cinnamon, and you will be in heaven ✨

The recipe is up on the blog!
Click the link in my bio to find it ↡
@beetofthewild
    2022, it's been a slice ✌️ As each year bring 2022, it's been a slice ✌️

As each year brings, 2022 brought many moments to be grateful for, a few new skills and lots of growth through both the struggles and triumphs. 2022, for me, was truly a year of tuning out to tune in. And I’m so excited to see what this next chapter brings.

Cheers to an even better 2023! 🥂

Happy New Year, wild ones ♡
    What’s your must-have holiday cookie? For me, b What’s your must-have holiday cookie?

For me, being a sucker for those warming spices, Gingerbread is at the top of that list. A close second to my Gran’s shortbread (which I still have yet to master a healthified version 🤞).

But, at least for now, I can count on these crunchy gingerbread cookies to satisfy my festive cravings.

Traditionally spiced with just the right amount of crunch, they taste just like the real deal. But, without the refined sugar, gluten and dairy ⛄️

Click the link in my bio to grab the recipe ↡
@beetofthewild

Happy holidays, wild ones ♡
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