Warm Apple Cider Oat Smoothie

When sweater weather arrives, a cold smoothie may not be what you crave. So turn up the temperature and whirl together this mixture to beat the chill.

2 cups (500 mL) apple cider
1/2 cup (125 mL) water
1/3 cup (80 mL) rolled or quick-cook oats
1/3 cup (80 mL) chopped pitted dates
1/4 cup (60 mL) unsalted almonds
1 Tbsp (15 mL) pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp (1 mL) cinnamon
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground ginger
1/8 tsp (0.5 mL) ground cloves

Place apple cider and water in small saucepan over medium heat and heat until just under a simmer. Add warmed apple cider to blender container along with remaining ingredients and blend until smooth, 
1 to 2 minutes.

Serves 2.

Each serving contains: 349 calories; 7 g protein; 10 g total fat (1 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 65 g total carbohydrates (43 g sugars, 8 g fibre); 2 mg sodium

source: "Oats", alive #361, November 2012