Did you guys know August was national coffee month?! Me neither! With every day seemingly turning into a, " national celebration", I wasn't surprised that I was tardy to the party when it came to this one.

As clean lifestyles have gotten trendy, coffee (and caffeine in general) have gotten a bad rep in the health scene, but as a coffee-lover I like to apply my good ol' moderation method in order to capitalize on some of caffeine's more positive benefits. Many of us are constantly looking for ways to boost our metabolism and keep our minds sharp, right? Hello, coffee! Caffeine aids in both boosting your metabolic results and improving memory. Studies have shown that one cup of Joe a day helps reduce chances of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and type 2 diabetes. While coffee beans are jam packed with antioxidants and are a good addition to some recipes that you may have never considered, be mindful that adding creamers and sugars is what will turn your healthy coffee into an unhealthy beverage.

That said, you all know we're smoothie addicts here at #FitXBrit so, I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to share a healthy coffee-inspired smoothie for #TeamFitXBrit courtesy of Alyssa and Faith at Blend. So as we say goodbye to August and National Coffee Month, let’s give this new smoothie a try!

Maple Walnut Coffee

2 tablespoons walnuts

2 tablespoons rolled oats (old-fashioned or quick-cooking)

3/4 cup (185 ml) plain, unsweetened almond milk

1 packet (or 1/2 tablespoon) instant powdered coffee

1 pinch sea salt

1 packet stevia ( I used 1 tsp agave nectar)

1 teaspoon maple extract

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract ( I used 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract)

2 Medjool dates, pitted and coarsely chopped

6-8 ice cubes

Add the walnuts and oats to a blender and pulse until they form a powder.

Add all remaining ingredients (except the ice) into the blender and process until smooth.

Add the ice and pulse until pulverized.

Transfer to a serving glass; serve immediately

This is just one substitution you can use in your household to help keep your caffeine cravings healthy and working for you. While this is a great start to transitioning to a healthy living lifestlye , the real work is in your everyday meals. FitXBrit can help create a personalized custom approach to meet the healthy living desires of your household and your specific dietary needs. All you have to do is shoot an email to info@FitXBrit for more information.

There's A Month For Everything!

Maple Walnut Coffee