Another Monday, another week starting! Can you believe that it’s already February!? I even bought some tulips the other day which seems kind of funny since we live on 1600 m altitude and there is snow and people skiing all around but suddenly for some reason all the shops are selling tulips. So I couldn’t resist their pretty pink color and bought myself some early spring! 🙂 Even if I am so not ready for that yet, let’s have some more beautiful winter, cozy snowy days and equally cozy cold and rainy ones. And to be honest, I don’t want for time to be flying so fast but there isn’t much we can do about that, let’s just make every day count.
Even if we go through some bad ones, there is always a reason to smile and be happy for something. We all have good days and those bad ones but when we learn to find joy in little things like pretty snowflakes, somebody’s smile and kindness, smell of freshly baked cookies, having a coffee and a chat with somebody you care about and so on… everything is easier. Sometimes we cannot change the circumstances we are in but we can change our outlook to things and always try to find beauty and joy. Talking about beauty, I think this little smoothie is so pretty that it immediately makes your morning better! And it’s also so healthy and good for our bodies.
There are smoothies that are very healthy but actually taste like grass but we can still drink them because of all the health benefits. This isn’t one of those, this one is pretty and delicious and very healthy too! I’ve put some really powerful little ingredients there that are full of nutrients and antioxidants, like blueberries, raspberries, ginger, celery… To sweeten it I used only 1 date because I like smoothies (and other) to be only mildly sweet but you can adjust the sweetness as per you taste. Before the recipe, let’s see why is exactly so healthy.
The antioxidants in berries can help your body fight oxidative stress caused by free radicals that can lead to illness. There are several powerful antioxidants that appear in berries, including anthocyanins, quercetin, and vitamin C and they can reduce inflammation, help prevent and manage arthritis, slow age-related memory-loss, help with inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
There are many health benefits of eating berries, so wherever you can include them in your daily diet, do it. You don’t have to buy fresh ones when they are not in season as they can be quite expensive, you can still use the frozen ones as long as they are unsweetened.
Ginger and celery are also very healthy food, ginger is used to help digestion, reduce nausea and help fight the flu and cold, it has anti-inflammatory properties, it helps fight infections and may lower cholesterol levels. Celery also helps digestion and reduces inflammation in the body and has many other health benefits.
So now that we know that it’s healthy, let’s make this smoothie and see how it also tastes delicious! 🙂
- 1 banana
- 1 cup frozen berries (I used blueberries & raspberries)
- ½ cup almond milk (or other)
- 1 stalk of celery (single rib)
- small piece of fresh ginger
- 1-2 dates (or agave syrup as per taste)
- 1 tbsp almond butter (optional)
- 1 tsp acai powder (optional)
- 1 tbsp psyllium seeds (optional)
- Toppings suggestion: berries, almonds, shredded coconut, cacao nibs...
- Note: psyllium seeds are used to relieve constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and they help digestion in general. Instead of these, you can use some other seeds like sesame, flax, chia...
- Note: I use Medjool dates that are softer and easier to blend but if you are using regular dates, you might want to soak them in hot water for at least 1 hour before blending,
- Put all the ingredients in the blender and blend until is all combined and you get thick creamy smoothie. Top with toppings of your choice and serve immediately. You can also keep it for a day in the fridge.
Sugar et al. says
A really pretty bowl of smoothie! I am sure it is as delicious as it looks. Thank you for sharing the nutritional benefits as well…I am tempted to make one for dinner now:-)
travellingoven says
Thank you dear Sonali! It was really yummy! 🙂
Laura & Nora @Our Food Stories says
looks very lovely & gorgeous pictures <3
travellingoven says
It means so much coming from you as I am a huge fan of your work! You made my day, thank you!! <3