Coconut Strawberry Smoothie

It’s the age of the smoothie. Everywhere you go, you see smoothie mixes here, protein powders there, and a plethora of different recipes to ensure you get the most nutrient-dense smoothie known to mankind.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love smoothies. In fact, they were my general go-to breakfast most days than not. Especially when I was in a hurry, there wasn’t anything quicker than putting everything into liquid form so that I could drink it on my drive to work.

Smoothies are great. However, after learning Ayurveda, I realized that they can actually be super hard to digest properly. Poor food combining and heavy protein powders can do more harm than good in our bodies.

Think about a common smoothie recipe you have seen on the internet or in a health cookbook. Most of them call for fruit, some sort of orange juice, and then yogurt to thicken, topped off with some protein powder.

What makes them so hard on the system?

They have different inherent qualities, and digest at different speeds in our GI Tract. Fruit is light and dairy tends to be heavy. On top of that, fruit and dairy have different tastes, making them mix improperly in our stomach, which can lead to toxin build up in our gut. Moving on to the protein powder—they tend to be processed and contain a lot of fillers. In general, processed foods are harder to digest. If you want to add some power to your smoothie, try to opt for a plant-based protein. Steer clear of powders that contain a lot of added preservatives or fillers.

Try this delicious strawberry smoothie—a perfect summertime go-to when strawberries are in season. It’s quick and easy to make, and something the whole family can enjoy together. Perfect for those trips to the beach, or staycations that are happening in the next couple of months!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups coconut milk (for a thicker smoothie, use 1 can of coconut milk, for a thinner smoothie, use a good quality, organic coconut milk that you find in the refrigerated section)
• 2 dried figs
• 6–7 fresh strawberries
• A few mint leaves
• 1 teaspoon cacao powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons chia seeds
• 5 teaspoons sucanat (or any sweetener you enjoy)

Directions:

Wash and cut the tops off of the strawberries. Put everything into the blender. Blend together and serve immediately. For an added touch, you can garnish the smoothie with a strawberry and some coconut flakes.

Enjoy!