Let’s take a mental vacation and have a tropical smoothie! Yes please. I don’t know if it’s as HOT where you are at right now, but let me tell you, this intense sun and humidity is really affecting my running. According to the meteorologists, we’re hitting some record heat index temps all over the US.
Monday night after run class all I wanted was a refreshing smoothie since I was felling a bit queasy due to the 90 degree temps. This morning same! Bring on another smoothie! It’s honestly the only thing that is agreeing with me right now so I am not sure if I have a bug of some kind, or if it’s the heat, but in any case, this smoothie is sooooo refreshing! As much as I love my Chocolate Blueberry Smoothie and Raspberry Dream, I think I have found a new fav! After all, since it’s tropical outside, why not enjoy my Tropical Smoothie
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Besides Parsley, I also planted several other herbs, and even some Swiss Chard and Kale. All in pots too! So if you don’t have space for a garden like me, and you have room for a few pots on your patio, try planting a few of your favorite herbs. Of course you can find plenty of all of these at your local farmers market, so do take advantage of all of that local produce.
Did you know that Swiss Chard has much of the same benefits as spinach, but actually makes your smoothie taste a bit sweeter? Seriously folks, try a few swiss chard leaves in your smoothie if you can!
Swiss chard is also commonly known as silverbeet, spinach beet, perpetual spinach, crab beet and mangold. One cup of cooked Swiss chard provides approximately 716% of vitamin K needs, 214% of vitamin A, 53% of vitamin C, 38% of magnesium, 29% of manganese, 27% of potassium, 22% of iron, 17% of vitamin E. Check out all these health benefits! Swiss Chard is one of those super foods you don’t want to miss out on
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If you have basil, it’s fabulous in a smoothie, but if you have citrus basil, even better! YUM! Have I convinced you to make this tropical smoothie yet? It takes almost like one of those funky drinks you can find in Mexico while sitting pool side…….minus the alcohol of course.
Bonus….the flax seeds and coconut milk give you some healthy fats, keeping you satisfied for hours. Cinnamon….runners you must start consuming more. One of the best anti-inflammatory spices ever! This smoothie is a winner my friends!
TROPICAL SMOOTHIE WITH SWISS CHARD AND CITRUS BASIL
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 to 4 leaves of Swiss Chard, stems removed
- one small handful of citrus basil or regular basil
- 1 tsp of cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon of flax seed
- 1 tablespoon of unsweetened coconut
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup of frozen mango
- 1/2 cup of Shaklee Life Energizing Protein Vanilla
- 8 to 10 ounces of coconut milk/coconut water
DIRECTIONS:
- Place all ingredients in a your Vita-Mix and blend till creamy.
- Add more coconut water if desired to reach desired consistency.
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