A Tropical Smoothie Is A Holiday In A Cup

A Tropical Smoothie Is A Holiday In A Cup

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When we’re sweating through our workdays on the hottest summer days, we like to imagine sipping a tropical smoothie on the beach. It’s that time of year when it’s impossible to resist daydreaming about our next vacation.

Whether or not the beach is in your immediate future, our tropical smoothie recipe will leave you feeling like you are ocean-side. The refreshing sweetness from mango and pineapple, creamy coconut, and the optional addition of detoxifying properties from spirulina will make you want to add it to your weekly rotation of Daily Shakes. It’s also a perfect addition to the 21-Day Clean Program.

A tropical smoothie with high-quality fat

Coconut oil has often been labeled a superfood, and for a good reason. Containing about 50% lauric acid, coconut oil is exceptionally heart-healthy as it can help prevent issues like high cholesterol and high blood pressure. The fat content of coconut oil also helps with absorbing other minerals and vitamins. It can keep you satiated longer, making our tropical smoothie great to have in the morning as it helps keep hunger at bay throughout the day.

Frozen vs. fresh

One of the best parts of vacationing in tropical destinations is access to juicy, dessert-like fruit. Pineapple and mango are two that come to mind, making them perfect for this tropical smoothie. If you have access to local, in-season fruits, choose them! But for the sake of practicality, buying organic, frozen versions is a great option.

Since these fruits are typically freshly-picked and frozen in their peak season, frozen versions can often contain higher nutrient levels than buying fresh fruits and vegetables flown in from thousands of miles away. Always keep a stock of your favorite frozen fruits and veggies handy so that when life gets busy, tossing a few on-hand ingredients in a blender can be a quick nutrient-filled solution to having “nothing to eat.”

A different kind of tropical smoothie

If you are on the 21-Day Clean Program or just feeling adventurous, we encourage you to add a green powder like Clean Greens or Clean favorite, spirulina, to this smoothie. The deep blue-green color of spirulina fits into our ocean-side theme; spirulina is chock-full of nutrients, antioxidants, and protein. It’s is a complete protein source, and a single tablespoon contains four grams of high-quality protein.

Complete proteins contain all essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of our bodies and are necessary for all metabolic processes. Most complete proteins come from animal sources, but spirulina is one of the few plant-based sources. Spirulina is dense with antioxidants which are crucial for preventing inflammation. Inflammation is linked to many diseases, so consuming antioxidant-rich foods is essential for longevity.

Tropical smoothie recipe

Serves: 2

Prep time: 5 minutes
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Ingredients:

2 cups mango, fresh or frozen

1 cup pineapple, fresh or frozen

1 1/2 cups coconut milk

1 Tbsp coconut oil

3-4 dates

juice from one lime

1 tsp ginger

1 cup ice, if using fresh fruit

2 Tbsp of chia seeds

2 scoops Vanilla Daily Shake packet or Cleanse Shake packet

Optional: 2 tsp spirulina or Clean Greens

Directions:

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Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately!

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Written by the Clean Team