You might think smoothies are just for warm weather, but I wanted to share my secret weapon against colds and flu that I've been using with my kids, almost every day this past month! They think it's a special treat when they get home from school. It's my way of sneaking in good probiotics for a healthy gut and lots of good vitamin D and C which helps their immune system fight colds! It also tastes just like the expensive smoothies I used to buy occasionally at Central Market, but now I just make at home:
Fruit Smoothie
Makes 2
In a blender, combine:
2 huge serving spoon size dollops of Plain natural live yogurt (this is the real stuff with Acidophilus & Bifidus probiotics)
(OR: substitute Plain Kefir, which is a yogurt drink) This usually is about 4-6 oz. in the blender.
About 5-10 oz of frozen mango (or any frozen fruit of choice...my favorite is blueberries!)
1 banana (this really gives it the sweetness kids love plus it's very high in potassium)
About 3 oz of orange juice (I just eye this)... more good vitamin C! Make sure yours has no sugar added.
Blend until really smooth and stick a straw in it. My kids LOVE this. They never guessed that I don't add sugar. Sugar actually is an immune-weakener. It promotes inflammation. But fruit sugar from whole fruit causes a lower glucose response (just make sure there's not too much orange juice... I suppose real orange slices would be better!). Did you know that berries cause the lowest glucose/insulin response of all fruits? And blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are high in antioxidants-- those great molecules that fight free radicals which damage the life-giving cells in your body. I know-- too much science when you just wanted to enjoy something delicious!
So, I hope you try our secret weapon to avoiding colds and flu this winter season!
♥ Beth
3 comments:
This sounds so yummy! Thanks for your help via e-mail, too. What brand of yogurt do you recommend? We are not a typical yogurt eating family, but I need to start buying it. Do you get frozen fruit in the frozen aisle or freeze it yourself? I'm so not good at this stuff! Thanks!!
Yes very yummy! I'll try that! I knew how good are berries for you, and banana is good against sciatica :)
but where do you get the vitamin D? You added cod liver oil?
I made this Sunday and had the second one in my fridge for school on Monday! Thanks Beth!!
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