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Refresh With This Citrus Pineapple Smoothie

Refresh With This Citrus Pineapple Smoothie

The combination of tart lemon, sweet pineapple, and spicy ginger makes this a hydrating blend that you’ll crave during summer months. We used the juice and skin of the lemon to access the full spectrum of benefits and to add a more complex flavor to this pineapple smoothie. You’ll also get an added dose of protein, fat, and probiotics with the addition of coconut yogurt.

Not so sour

Not only does the lemon add a deliciously refreshing flavor to this smoothie, but it’s an incredible food to add as a regular part of your morning routine. Lemon has a cleansing effect on the body, which is why we love including it first thing in the morning after giving the digestive system a much-needed overnight rest. They can help prevent kidney stones, thanks to their citric acid content. Citric acid helps increase urination and also increasing the pH of your urine. This makes the kidneys a harder place for kidney stones to grow in the first place, which is reason enough for us to add lemon whenever possible!

We also love including the zest of lemon in addition to the juice, since so much of the antioxidant power lives in the skin. As plants are growing, especially plants with heavy sunlight exposure like citrus, they develop antioxidants to protect the inside fruit from the power of the sun. This not only helps protect the fruit but when we consume this dense source of antioxidants we reap the benefits as well.

The spice of life

Ginger adds a spicy twist to this fruity smoothie. It has long been touted for its medicinal properties such as aiding digestion, improving stomach ailments like nausea, and increasing immunity. Ginger contains sesquiterpenes, which is a compound that fights rhinovirus. Rhinovirus is the most common cause of common colds. Ginger also contains immunity-boosting antioxidants.

Get good guts

Yogurt is a popular smoothie ingredient for its ability to increase creaminess and protein content. We reach for coconut yogurt during our 21-day cleanse since traditional cow’s milk isn’t well-tolerated by many. During your cleanse you’ll remove dairy completely, and in adding it back after 21 days it will become more obvious if it has an impact in your body. Many people see food intolerances show up in stomach issues, skin breakouts, mood changes, and energy levels.

Whether you tolerate dairy or not, adding in or replacing your usual yogurt with coconut yogurt can be beneficial. Since coconut yogurt is made through fermentation, it can provide gut-friendly bacteria that will improve digestion and overall health when consumed regularly. It also provides healthy fats and fiber which will help slow the digestion and release of sugar into the bloodstream. This can help with stable energy, mood, and hunger levels.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon lemon zest

1.5 cups frozen or fresh pineapple

1 tablespoon fresh ginger

1/2 cup coconut yogurt

1 cup coconut milk

1 Vanilla Cleanse Shake packet

2 cups kale or spinach

Optional: ice

Directions:

Juice and zest lemon, discarding remaining skin and seeds.

Add juice, zest, and all other ingredients to the blender.

Blend on high, until creamy and smooth. Serve immediately.

Recipe and photography by Kaitlyn Noble

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