Strawberry & Beet Smoothie
How many smoothie recipes do you think there are in the world? I can't even begin to image ~ but all i know is ~ there are LOTS. It's understandable given the choices of fruits, veggies, spices, herbs, juices, protein powders and nuts you can throw into a blender and blitz into a delicious "beverage meal". Another thing I know about smoothies - I've had the pleasure of making some seriously disgusting creations. Although smoothies are very forgiving, some items are just not to be mixed. Or the wrong ratio yeilds terrible flavours - but when you get it right, it's pretty damn delicious. So just learn from your blender bloopers and move on.
This one is simple. It has very few ingredients but don't confuse that with boring. It's delicious and quite honestly, it's the colour that gets me. It's just so darn pretty to look at! The strawberrys are unreal right now, they actually taste of something. I have no idea why we even bother with them when they aren't in season? So it's this reason that I haven't added heaps of ingredients - just allow the few to speak for themselves. While I do think it can be worthwhile to pile tons of superfood ingredients into a blender - today, it's just not necessary.
Strawberry's are high in vitamin C, they help decrease bad cholesterol, reduce inflammation of the joints, and regulate blood pressure, just to name a few health benefits. So enjoy these little gems for as long as they are in season! Beets are also high in vitamin C (cheers to a double dose!) as well as essential minerals such as potassium and manganese... I could go on, but you get the point right? Just becuase the ingredient list is small - it doesn't mean the health perks are.
INGREDIENTS:
serves 1
5-6 strawberries, halved
1 beet, quartered
1/4 avocado
1/2 cup coconut water (or plain water, or herbal tea)
juice from 1/4 - 1/2 lemon
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
1/2 tbs coconut flakes(optional)
Combine all ingredients into a high speed blender ~ allow it to do it's magic until all ingredients are comibined and there are no lumps. Sprinkle with some cocounut flakes and enjoy!
* I know a vitamix can handle raw beets, but I cannot speak to other blenders
* substitute 1/2 banana if you prefer not to use avocado in your smoothie.
* add a little more liquid if you need to
