Blueberry Lemon Smoothie Recipe

I don’t know about you guys, but this winter was a really long one for me.  Like really long.  My energy levels totally went down the tubes and I must say that my diet pretty much followed.  With the arrival of spring and the threat of swimsuit season almost upon me, I have decided that I need to get back to some healthier eating habits and have started on a little smoothie kick.   Each Monday, I will be sharing some smoothie recipes with you and talking about some of the health benefits of some of the ingredients.  I’m hoping that focusing on all of the healthy effects will help me to stay on track! 🙂

Creating smoothies is actually kind of fun and the kids and I have already come up with a few favorites.  Today we will be having a blueberry, lemon smoothie – its thick, creamy, filling, and the perfect start to the week!



INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup blueberries {I used frozen}
• 1/2 cup strawberries
• 1/2 banana
• 100 grams lemon Greek yogurt {just over 1/3rd of a cup}
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1 tbsp sprouted chia and flax seed powder {optional}

Just mix everything together and you are good to go!  You can add a little more almond milk if you don’t like it as thick.  Top with additional blueberries for garnish.


In case you would like to know some of the health benefits of the ingredients, I have listed them below.  Obviously, I am not a medical doctor or nutritionist so this is just some basic information for you. 🙂

BLUEBERRIES – Blueberries are high in vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.  They contain tannins which provide antibacterial and antiviral properties and are loaded with antioxidants.

STRAWBERRIES – Strawberries are a superfood and possess both antiviral and antioxidant properties. They contain ellagic acid {which helps to fight cancer}, provide a cleansing action on the liver, and help with elimination.  They can also be helpful for those that suffer from gout, rheumatism, and kidney stones.

BANANAS – Most people know that bananas are loaded with potassium but they are also antibacterial, help to boost the body’s immune system and can help to lower cholesterol. Bananas are wonderful additions to smoothies as they add a thick and creamy texture.

GREEK YOGURT – Thanks to it’s excellent source of probiotics, greek yogurt helps with healthy digestion, improved lactose intolerance, lowered cholesterol, and improved immunity {just make sure the yogurt you purchase includes “live and active cultures” on the label to maximize the probiotic potential}.  Greek yogurt is also a good source of calcium and can also be helpful with weight loss.

SPROUTED CHIA AND FLAX SEED POWDER – Chia and flax seeds provide a source of calciumm iron, Omega-3, and fiber.  Sprouting improves digestibility and allows for a greater absorption of nutrients. {and also helps if you don’t like getting the seeds in your teeth!}

ALMOND MILK – Almond milk contains more nutrients than other dairy alternatives and is low in sugar and calories {only 35 calories for the 1/2 cup} and contains no cholesterol.  It is high in potassium which helps to promote healthy blood pressure and also provides calcium and Vitamin D for bone health.  Almond milk is a good source of vitamin E {which is good for skin health} as well as smaller amounts of Vitamin A, riboflavin, and iron.



If you are looking for more smoothie recipes, you might also like this Strawberry Mango Banana Smoothie.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

I shared this post at The Crafted Sparrow, Lil Luna, Design Dining and Diapers, Tidy Mom and Tip Junkie.