Are you a smoothie person?
I used to drink a smoothie almost every morning in grad school as a quick on the go breakfast (#lazygirlprobs), but I’ve hardly made any over the past couple of years. I may have to start again because this Tropical Strawberry Mango Smoothie was the perfect way to use up some produce that was a little past its prime, and it was a refreshing treat on this sunny day!
(Not So) Pro Tips:
If you prefer a thicker and colder smoothie, I definitely recommend using frozen fruit for at least half of the recipe. If you don’t have any, just blend in some ice cubes until you have the desired consistency. You may also need to add more/less coconut milk
Feel free to add in whatever you like – smoothies are a fun way to be creative without a ton of cooking skills. If you don’t have these ingredients, use what you’ve got on hand. Have raspberries, but no strawberries – no worries! Don’t have chia seeds, but found some flax seeds – go for it! Not dairy intolerant and love regular milk – easy substitution! HATE mangoes, but could eat the sh*t outta some peaches – you do you boo!
Smoothies are also a great way to reduce food waste. I love freezing produce that is a little past its prime and isn’t as appealing fresh – perfect to add to smoothies, to make toppings for pancakes/waffles, and making homemade jam. There are so many possibilities!
A note on nutrition…
Smoothies can be a great option if you’re someone who doesn’t typically eat 5 servings of fruit or veggies per day. I like to sneak in some veggies by using steamed then frozen cauliflower (promise you can’t taste it!) or adding spinach (since it’s a bit sweeter/milder) – the color may change, but the flavor will still be great. However, don’t rely solely on smoothies for those nourishing fruits and veggies – the whole foods are important too!
Smoothies can also be a good alternative to juice in the morning because you’ll still be getting some of the fiber from the fruit, which is completely removed in the juicing process. Fiber helps control that blood sugar spike we get when eating carbohydrates, which means you’ll have more sustained energy and stay fuller for longer. To that end, I also recommend pairing a smoothie with a source of protein so you don’t get hangry.
What’s your favorite smoothie combination?
Let me know in the comments below, or send me a note here. Hope you have a fantastic day!
Mindfully yours,
Sam
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Servings |
smoothie
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- 1 champagne mango Feel free to use your favorite type of mango or whatever you have on hand! I just love the sweetness of champagne mangoes.
- 1 cup frozen strawberries You could also use fresh, but frozen will give the smoothie a thicker texture.
- 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk Adjust to achieve your desired thickness - 3/4 cup will allow you to drink it through a straw.
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
Ingredients
|
|
- Cut up the mango and add to a blender.
- Add the strawberries.
- Add the coconut milk and blend. (Adjust the amount of coconut milk to achieve desired thickness - you may need to add more for a thinner smoothie.)
- Mix in 1 tbsp of chia seeds.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
