I have eaten porridge for breakfast every day for about 10 years. Once I find something that works for me, I go for it and it takes a lot to get me to change my routine – especially in the mornings. However after listening to the Podcast on The Rawtarian about green smoothies I have been trying something different as an experiment. Variety is the spice of life! Oh, how I love living on the edge….

The recipe includes chia seeds. Chia seeds are a superfood craze that is starting to gain momentum in the UK, based on their health benefits including:

“more omega-3 fatty acids than salmon, a wealth of antioxidants and minerals, a complete source of protein and more fibre than flax seed.”

The seeds also feature in the wonderful book Born to Run, as the food that fuels the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico on their bonkers ultra runs through the desert. If it is good enough for them, it is good enough for me. I bought mine from health food heaven, Infinity Foods in Brighton, for £2.84 for 250g.

So here goes:

The ingredients have been closely inspired by The Rawtarian’s recipe for a silky green smoothie and substituted for personal preference:

• 3 clementines – peeled (substituted for 2 oranges)
• 1 small avocado (substituted for bananas which I am not a big fan of)
• 1 apple – roughly chopped
• 1 large handful of baby spinach leaves
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (as well as being nutritious these also add a nice thickness)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• A large chunk of ginger – skin removed (offered as an alternative to cinnamon)
• 1 cup of water

This all gets added to the jug of a powerful blender (which is pretty essential to get a nice creamy and moreish texture – something lumpy and grainy just isn’t going to cut it as a replacement for my morning oats).

Start whizzing on low and turn up to high for a good 2 minutes:

After this check that everything is fully blended and that the texture is what you are after. Add more water to get desired consistency:

I personally like it quick thick. Please note that there is a lot of eating / drinking in this, and I have found that it has been pretty filling, and tastes best served in a pretty glass:

In the interests of full disclosure I have to fess up that I haven’t given up my morning latte (soy milk and full caffeine hit). But I never claimed to be perfect…