This is one of my favorite smoothies. It’s high in antioxidants and high in flavor as well. You can use any combination of berries you have; I buy bags of frozen mixed berries which typically include strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries, but if you only have a couple kinds you’ll still end up with something delicious. Remember, the darker your berries, the more antioxidants you’ll consume, but don’t fret if all you have is strawberries, those are loaded with vitamin C and all berries are pretty high in fiber. If you don’t like seeds, you can strain it, but even a lightweight blender such as a Kitchen Aid will give you a smooth result here. Not only is this smoothie amazingly good, the color is pretty spectacular too, ranging from a bright red (use mostly raspberries and strawberries) to a dark bluish purple color (blueberries and blackberries). So there is no reason not to drink up!
Did you know: If you’ve never had flax seed, you’re missing out on a great health secret. They are high in Omega 3 fatty acids that are good for your heart and most of us don’t get enough of every day. They are also high in lignans, which fight cancer and improve brain health. All this in addition to being high in fiber, which when combined with the berries and banana in this smoothie mean you’ll be getting a significant does of your daily fiber intake. One word of caution though: make sure you’re consuming ground flax seeds, also known as flax meal, instead of whole, which don’t pass through our digestive system, thereby negating any absorption of the healthy vitamins and minerals they contain. You can buy them pre ground or grind them yourself in a coffee grinder, and while they may seem expensive, don’t worry; you only need to eat about two tbsp a day for significant results. Flax seeds are also really good in breads, cereals, sprinkled on oats or even as an egg replacement in baked goods. Just take two tbsp of ground flax seeds and mix with 2 tbsp of water, mix and let sit for a few minutes. This works fabulously for things like vegan baked goods, and you’ll most likely never know the difference.
Ingredients:
1 cup orange juice
1 banana
2 cups any combination frozen berries
1/4 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
3 tbsp ground flax seed
Directions:
Add all ingredients to your blender, starting with the juice and flax seed. Blend up until smooth and creamy, pour into glasses and serve immediately.
(makes 2 servings)
