What better way to get into the summer spirit than with a glass of ice cold, fruity smoothie? These recipes I’m about to introduce you to are not only absolutely delicious, but healthy as well. Due to the amount of fruits contained in smoothies, they usually have a fairly impressive level of vitamins and other nutrients to benefit your body. So, without further ado, here’s a list of 5 smoothies for this summer.
1) The Melon, Mint, and cucumber smoothie. This cool and refreshing blend is an instant relief from the blazing sun. The vitamin C contained in the cucumber promotes smooth, flawless skin while the honey dew melon serves as a great source of vitamin B6 and potassium.
To make this smoothie, you’ll need:
- 2 cups chopped honeydew
- 1 cup chopped English cucumber
- 12 fresh mint leaves
- 2-4 tablespoons fresh lime juice, to taste
- 1 teaspoon honey
Puree the ingredients together until a smooth blend is formed. (original recipe and image can be found here.)
2) The Breakfast Express Smoothie. This smoothie is rich in antioxidant, gluten free, and can substitute the nutritional values of a whole breakfast.
To make this smoothie, you’ll need:
- 2 cans (15 oz. each) Del Monte Lite® Yellow Cling Sliced Peaches
- 1-1/2 cups Del Monte® Pineapple Juice
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup low-fat plain yogurt
- 10 ice cubes
Combine all ingredients in blender container, use two batches if necessary. Then cover and blend until smooth. (original recipe and image can be found here.)
3) The Fig and Banana Smoothie. This exotic and posh smoothie is a perfect before-bed treat. Figs contain high levels of calcium and fiber while bananas are a great source of potassium. The owner of this recipe recommends yogurt or kefir as a substitute for coconut milk if needed.
To make this smoothie, you’ll need:
- 3 fresh figs (or 3 dried figs, soaked overnight in water to rehydrate)
- 1 banana, previously peeled and frozen
- 1/2 cup organic coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon rose water (optional)
- dash of ground cardamom (optional)
Blend all ingredients and add ice or water until desired consistency is reached. (original recipe and image can be found here.)
4) The Berry Coconut Smoothie. you can never go wrong with berries, for taste and nutritional values. Blue berries are a very good source of antioxidants, raspberries promote weight loss, strawberries carry high levels of vitamin C and manganese, and blackberries provide the body with dietary fibers. Added together, this smoothie is a nutrition party.
To make this smoothie, you’ll need:
- 1 banana
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 teaspoon flax seed meal
- 1 Tablespoon agave
- â…“ cup coconut milk
- 2-3 ice cubes
Place all ingredients in blender and mix until smooth. (original recipe and image can be found here.)
5) The Delicious Mango Smoothie. This zesty and tropical smoothie is perfect after a day in the sun. Mangoes are low in cholesterol and are a great source of vitamin A, C, and B6. They also contain a significant amount of dietary fiber. This smoothie is gluten free and easy to make.
To make this smoothie, you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 cups diced ripe mango
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups Silk Pure Almond Original or Vanilla
You know the drill, just combine the ingredients and blend away. (original recipe and image can be found here.)
