As an intuitive eater I’ve really come to appreciate delicious, crave-worthy foods that are also packed with the things that nourish my body physically. If you’re not familiar with intuitive eating, let me explain what I mean a bit further. For me, intuitive eating means listening to both my body and soul, and satisfying both of those needs equally. I don’t see food as calories or portions, not as healthy or unhealthy. I see food as something that either provides value to me or it doesn’t. Anything that provides that value is fair game. That value can be either be in the form of nutrients that keep my body strong and healthy. Or that value can be an experience (taste or otherwise) that brings me joy. More often than not, what I eat fuels both sides, physical and mental, in varying degrees. I find that, now more than ever, I’m naturally drawn to foods that satisfy my body, mind and tastebuds. But discovering a food or recipe that fully satisfies both sides at the same time? Well, that genuinely excites me.
Smoothies can be one of these ultra-satisfying foods both for my body and my mind. I say can be one of these foods, because it can’t just be any smoothie. It needs to be my kind of smoothie – refreshing, sweet, tart and fruity. I remember getting smoothies after school at our local smoothie shop and without really understanding healthy and not healthy, I loved them. Now that I’ve realized I can easily make smoothies that taste delicious and are also packed with whole fruits, veggies and nutrients-galore, I literally can’t stop making smoothies at home.
This Blueberry Lemonade Smoothie is my ultimate smoothie tbh. Lemonade, especially a flavored lemonade like blueberry, is one of my all-time favorite drink choices (not surprising given my sweet/tart/fruity preference). Unlike lemonade though, this smoothie contains no added sugar. All the sweetness comes from the raw apple, raw carrot, frozen blueberries and frozen pineapple, and that absolutely essential tartness from the lemon, of course. I also add the carrots for a touch of vegetable-goodness and ground flax for even more plant-powered nutrition. This is sure to be a warm-weather favorite – the perfect mix of sweet, cold, refreshing and just plain pretty.
Refreshing Blueberry Lemonade Smoothie
servings: 2 (16-oz+ each)
Ingredients
2/3 to 1 cup coconut water (to consistency)
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2+ teaspoons ground flax seed, I use 4 teaspoons (optional)
1 medium-large gala apple, or other sweet variety, roughly chopped
2 small-medium carrots, peeled, roughly chopped
1-1/3 cups frozen blueberries
1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
To Make
Add all ingredients to a blender in the listed order. Start the blender at a relatively low speed until ingredients are roughly blended. Increase blender to high speed for about 30 seconds or until smooth. Use lid tamper to help blend if/when needed.
Radiate Food Vibes 